Despistado

All Music Guide:

Despistado was formed in late 2001 by a bunch of Regina, Saskatchewan, natives who combated the bitter cold of their surroundings by lighting a fire of frenetic indie rock that claimed as much influence from Wire's angularity as it did Modest Mouse's quirkiness. Comprised of vocalist/guitarist Dagan Harding, bassist Joel Passmore, drummer Brenan Schwartz, and guitarist Leif Thorseth, the Canadian quartet signed to Jade Tree in early 2004, and a late-spring tour alongside Statistics led up to the release of their EP The Emergency Response that June. It was well-received, and subsequent shows with bands like the Weakerthans and mewithoutYou continued to build anticipation for their upcoming album. However, rumors began spreading late in the year that Despistado were breaking up, and in January 2005, their label confirmed that all of the talk was indeed true; the guys played their last show together that same month. Their sole full-length, The People of and Their Verses, posthumously appeared in April 2005 as a digital-only release. Following the dissolution, Passmore turned his attention fully to his side band, Sylvie.

Wikipedia:

Despistado was a Canadian indie rock band from Regina, Saskatchewan.

History

Despistado was active from 2001 to 2004. The band consisted of vocalist and guitarist Dagan Harding, guitarist Leif Thorseth, bassist Joel Passmore and drummer Brenan Schwartz.

Despistado released their first EP, The Emergency Response, in 2002 (produced by David j Taylor); it was subsequently re-released in 2004 on Jade Tree Records. Widely hyped as a "next big thing", the band's single "A Stirstick's Prediction" was used in a commercial for T-Mobile. After many cross-Canada tour's in 2004 which reportedly left the band exhausted and riven by personal tensions, they returned home to prepare for an international tour in the fall; due to family obligations, Passmore declined to participate in the fall tour through the United States with The Weakerthans, and was temporarily replaced by Robin Sernich. On that tour, the interpersonal dynamics within the band continued to deteriorate, and by Christmas the band had broken up. Their full-length album The People of and Their Verses, completed before the band's breakup, was subsequently released on Jade Tree in 2005.

Passmore is currently in the band Sylvie; Harding is currently in the band The War Doves, he has his own solo project, as well as playing with Thorseth in the band Geronimo; and Schwartz played with Anatta prior to that band's breakup.