Short Biography
Formed in Portland, Oregon, the Dandy Warhols released their first full-length album, Dandy's Rule OK?, in 1995, a unique mix of quirky pop, power guitar and clever lyrics. The group attained more widespread success, especially in Europe, with the release of their second album, Dandy Warhols Come Down, featuring the popular single "Not if You Were the Last Junkie on Earth." With a new drummer onboard, the group released their third album, Thirteen Tales from Urban Bohemia, to much acclaim in 2000. The track "Bohemian Like You" became a favorite among indie rock listeners and appeared on numerous film and television soundtracks, including Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Six Feet Under. 200...

Short Biography
Formed in Portland, Oregon, the Dandy Warhols released their first full-length album, Dandy's Rule OK?, in 1995, a unique mix of quirky pop, power guitar and clever lyrics. The group attained more widespread success, especially in Europe, with the release of their second album, Dandy Warhols Come Down, featuring the popular single "Not if You Were the Last Junkie on Earth." With a new drummer onboard, the group released their third album, Thirteen Tales from Urban Bohemia, to much acclaim in 2000. The track "Bohemian Like You" became a favorite among indie rock listeners and appeared on numerous film and television soundtracks, including Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Six Feet Under. 2003 saw the release of the group's fourth album, Welcome to the Monkey House, co-produced by Nick Rhodes of Duran Duran. The synth-heavy, new wave-influenced album was conceived as a tribute to Kurt Vonnegut Jr.'s short story collection of the same name. The group returned to more guitar-driven songs with Odditorium or Warlords of Mars, released in 2005.

Similar Artists:
Love and Rockets, The Brian Jonestown Massacre, They Might Be Giants, Jet by Day

In-depth Biography
Often compared to the druggy psychedelic pop of the Velvet Underground, the Dandy Warhols do possess more than just a passing resemblance to Lou Reed and company at times, but elements of such modern rockers as Love and Rockets and Ride can be detected in their sound as well. Formed in Portland, OR, during 1994, the Dandy Warhols consist of members Courtney Taylor (vocals, guitar), Zia McCabe (keyboards), Peter Holmstrom (guitar), and Eric Hedford (drums), who signed on with the independent label Tim/Kerr shortly after their formation. In 1995 came the release of the quartet's debut release, Dandy's Rule OK?, and while other rock bands may be a bit hesitant to spell out their influences, the Dandy Warhols decided to openly advertise it, as the album contained such song titles as "Lou Weed" and "Ride."

Capitol Records signed the group the same year, but the Dandy's new label rejected a second album they submitted (claiming it didn't have any "hits"). Disappointed but undeterred, the group reunited once more with the producer of their debut album, Tony Lash, and came up with Dandy Warhols Come Down, issued in 1997. While the album didn't exactly establish the group as a household name, it did prove to be an underground fave (especially in Europe, where the group became the toast of the critics and enjoyed more substantial commercial success), while the single "Not If You Were the Last Junkie on Earth" received some attention, for which a promo video was filmed by renowned celebrity photographer David LaChapelle. At the height of the band's popularity, Hedford left the band to take up DJing in Portland, and Taylor's cousin Brent DeBoer stepped in to play drums. In 2000, the band issued its third full-length overall, Thirteen Tales from Urban Bohemia. "Bohemian Like You" was a hit at college radio. Two summers later, founding member Peter Holmstrom married his longtime girlfriend and took her maiden name of Loew. Taylor also got a name change when he opted to go by Courtney Taylor-Taylor after an interviewer misinterpreted the pronunciation.

Within months, Taylor-Taylor, Loew, McCabe, and DeBoer were back in the studio for a fourth album. Welcome to the Monkey House (2003), a tribute to Kurt Vonnegut, Jr.'s book of short stories, featured collaborations with Nile Rodgers, Duran Duran's Nick Rhodes, and Evan Dando. The Dandy Warhols were also personally asked by David Bowie to be the opening act for his fall 2003 A Reality tour. Though the band was relatively quiet during 2004, it remained prominent thanks to the fascinating documentary Dig!, which chronicled the love-hate relationship between the Dandy Warhols and the Brian Jonestown Massacre. The group returned with new music in 2005, when Odditorium or Warlords of Mars arrived that fall. ~ Greg Prato, All Music Guide