Biography All Music Guide Wikipedia
Group Members: Adam Green, Kimya Dawson / Matty Pop Chart, Kimya Dawson, Toby Goodshank
All Music Guide:
The self-proclaimed anti folk outfit, Moldy Peaches, is comprised of two main members, Adam Green and Kimya Dawson, but on stage, are joined by others (bassist Steve Mertens, drummer Strictly Beats, plus guitarists Jack Dishel and Toby Goodshank). Green and Dawson originally met at Exile on Main Street Records in Mount Kisco, New York, and began collaborating together soonafter. The Moldy Peaches created a buzz in the New York City underground scene during the late '90s, with a live show that saw the group's members dressed up in strange outfits (comparable to one of the group's obvious influences, the Frogs). Signing on with the Rough Trade label, Moldy Peaches issued their self-titled debut in 2001, and supported the release with opening slots on tours alongside the Strokes and Tenacious D. A couple of fringe releases would appear over the next year, but come 2003 the Peaches were over or at least on hold as both Green and Dawson were exploring solo careers. It seemed they would forever be a smalltime, cultish band for insiders, but in 2007 their song "Anyone Else But You" played a big role in the hit film Juno. As the soundtrack was topping the album charts, the Moldy Peaches reunited for a handful of appearances including an early 2008 performance on the daytime talk show the View.
Wikipedia:
The Moldy Peaches was an indie group founded by Adam Green and Kimya Dawson. Leading proponents of the anti-folk scene, the band has been on hiatus since 2004. The appearance of their song "Anyone Else but You" in the film Juno has significantly raised their profile; Dawson and Green made a handful of reunion appearances together in December 2007.
The band is known for their slow-paced songs, often discussing themes of childhood or young adulthood. Dawson's distinctive child-like voice contributes to their unique sound.
History
Adam Green and Kimya Dawson met at Exile on Main Street Records in Mount Kisco, New York and began working together. Adam put out a 7" Ep called "X-Ray Vision" under the name The Moldy Peaches, featuring recordings he made from 1994-96 with Kimya and various other friends. Adam and Kimya recorded a CDR album in 1998 under the name Moldy Peaches 2000 called FER THE KIDS before Kimya moved to Port Townsend, Washington. In early 1999 Adam joined her there, and more home and live recordings transpired. The band returned to NYC as a 4 piece later in the year (including Jest Commons, guitar, and Justin Campbell, drums). They became active on the NYC Anti-folk scene, playing at the Sidewalk Cafe before the band broke up. Kimya and Adam both recorded solo albums. The band reformed in August 2000 with Chris Barron of the Spin Doctors on lead guitar, Brian Piltin on bass guitar, and Strictly Beats (Brent Cole) on drums. (The "2000" was dropped from their name around this time). A new 11 song album was recorded, which led to a deal with Rough Trade in the UK. They gained recognition after their initial 7" 'Who's Got the Crack" was named 'Single of the Week' in NME. Rough Trade released the album The Moldy Peaches in 2001. Released in the U.S. on September 11, 2001, it contained the song "NYC Is Like a Graveyard". The band expanded to a six-piece, with guitarists Jack Dishel and Aaron Wilkinson, bass player Steven Mertens, and drummer Strictly Beats, augmenting the original duo of Kimya and Adam. They toured internationally with The Strokes with whom they shared record label and management.
Aaron Wilkinson left the band and was replaced by Toby Goodshank. Wilkinson died from an overdose in July 2003. The Strokes dedicated their album Room on Fire to his memory.
In 2003 a second album Moldy Peaches 2000 was released, a double-CD compilation of various scraps and live recordings.
After an extensive US headlining tour in the winter of 2003, the band went into hiatus in early 2004. However, the band reunited in late 2004 for a one-off show to benefit Accidental CDs, Records and Tapes, a hole-in-the-wall record store on Ave A in NYC. That store was an early supporter of the band and helped hook them up with the gig that ultimately got them their record deal. Both central members embarked on solo careers, and supposedly have an agreement in place not to play Moldy Peaches songs during solo performances, although Adam has been known to break this rule having performed "Who's Got the Crack" with Carl Barat and Pete Doherty of The Libertines.
On December 2, 2007, Dawson and Green played an impromptu set together at Los Angeles' The Smell to end a show where Dawson was headlining. They changed the lyrics of the song "Who's Got The Crack" to "Who's Got The Blues". On December 3, 2007 the Moldy Peaches played at the Juno film premiere.
The band was booked to appear on the Conan O'Brien television show on January 14, 2008, but they canceled because of the writer's strike. Kimya has said that she is not keen to reform the band at present. However, Dawson and Green did appear together on the NPR radio show The Bryant Park Project on January 16, 2008. and appeared on television show The View on January 21, 2008.
Subsequent to the success of the Juno soundtrack, which hit #1 on the Billboard 200 on its third week of physical release, the song "Anyone Else but You" was released as a UK single on February 25, 2008.
Solo projects
Adam Green recently released his sixth solo album, Minor Love, via Rough Trade. His initial band included a 3-piece string section. Kimya has continued to tour playing small clubs and house parties. Her album Remember That I Love You on K Records has been well-received. She recently became a mother. Jack Dishel's former outfit Stipplicon having broken up, he formed a new band Only Son, who have toured with Regina Spektor. Jack also plays in Regina's band. Steven Mertens has his own group SpaceCamp and plays in Adam Green's backing band. Strictly Beats has his own group, Wooden Ghost, and plays in Dufus. Toby Goodshank plays solo shows and is also in a duo, Double Deuce, with his sister Angela.
