Biography Wikipedia
Group Members: Peggy
Wikipedia:
The Pains of Being Pure at Heart are an indie pop band from New York City. The band comprises singer and guitarist Kip Berman, drummer Kurt Feldman, Alex Naidus on bass, and Peggy Wang on keyboard and vocals. In late 2009, Christoph Hochheim joined the band as a live member. When Hochheim departed in late 2011, Connor Hanwick (of The Drums) replaced him in January 2012.
Their first album was a self-released EP, released in 2007. The release was distributed by Painbow – a record label created by the band. Their debut self-titled full-length album was released on February 3, 2009 via Slumberland Records, a personal favorite label of the band's. Their name comes from an unpublished children's story of the same title. A friend of Kip Berman wrote the story, which revolves around "realising what matters most in life – things like friendship and having a good time". The group's self-titled album peaked at number nine on the Billboard Heatseekers chart. In 2009, they released Higher Than the Stars, their second EP. The band's second record, entitled Belong, was released in 2011.
Formation
Kip Berman, lead singer and guitarist, had lived in Portland, Oregon for several years. Berman played in numerous bands during that time. After finishing his college degree at Reed College, he moved to New York City. When working a job, he met Alex Naidus. The two bonded over their adoration for music, and their similar upbringing. Bands such as Smashing Pumpkins, The Field Mice, Black Tambourine, and Nirvana helped to establish the two as friends. Soon after, the trio played at the birthday party of friend and bandmate Peggy Wang. According to the musicians, they played "five songs in ten minutes, and the song names were longer than the songs". Using a backing track as a drummer, half of this setlist helped formulate the debut album.
In late 2007, The Pains started a MySpace page to showcase their songs. Berman noted, that at the time, the band name was all the group had. Despite this, the trio worked on numerous tracks. Songs such as "Contender", "Come Saturday", and "This Love Is Fucking Right!" would stay band favorites, winding up on the 2009 album The Pains of Being Pure at Heart. Other tracks, such as "Orchard of My Eye", would be released on their first EP. It was at the time of their MySpace uploads that attention was being drawn to the act. Prominent music websites, such as Pitchfork and Stereogum, kept tabs on The Pains of Being Pure at Heart.
After numerous shows around New York, the trio recruited Kurt Feldman. The drummer was, and still is, the flatmate of Berman. After playing more shows, both in and outside of the US, the band recorded their inaugural LP.
