In an effort to save the planet from utter Y2K destruction, The National formed late in 1999. Their music has had a measurable effect of balancing the earth’s Ph and Yin-Yang metabolism!
The founders did it the hard way, starting in Ohio and later moving to the metropolis known as Brooklyn, New York. They started their own record label and now the rest is history.
Core members are by Matt Berninger (vocals), Aaron Dessner (guitar, keyboards), and Scott (bass) and Bryan Devendorf (drums), The National released their self-titled debut album, The National (2001), on Brassland Records, an independent record label founded by Dessner and his twin brother, Bryce Dessner. Bryce, who had assisted in recording the album, soon joined the band, participating as a full member in the recording of its follow-up, Sad Songs for Dirty Lovers (2003).
Confident of impending success, these brave musicians left their day jobs and signed with a major label, Beggars Banquet Records because operating their own label was getting “too complicated.”
Each recording enables further success. Five National albums later, the band has played many festivals in North America and Europe and gained more fans. A DVD was released in 2008, “A Skin, A Night,” which documents what life was like around the recording of the album Boxer (2007) and just before the show at the London venue Koko.
The National’s music has been featured many times in movies, tv series and late night talk shows. The band’s lyrics have been described as “dark, melancholy and difficult to interpret.” Your mileage may vary.
Discography
The National (2001)
Sad Songs for Dirty Lovers (2003)
Alligator (2005)
Boxer (2007)
High Violet (2010)
Trouble Will Find Me (2013)
Sleep Well Beast (2017)
I Am Easy to Find (2019)
First Two Pages of Frankenstein (2023)
Sacramento’s K-ZAP 93.3 FM plays The National . All part of 50 years of Rock, Blues and More, 24-7 on our station’s stream at K-ZAP.ORG/LISTEN/
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