– War On Drugs – live at Pustervik, Gothenburg. – May 19, 2014 – Sveriges Radio P3 –
Kicking Friday in an orderly direction with War On Drugs, recorded at Pustervik in Gothenberg on May 19, 2014.
The War on Drugs was formed in 2005. The band consists of Adam Granduciel (vocals, guitar), David Hartley (bass guitar), Robbie Bennett (keyboards), Charlie Hall (drums), Jon Natchez (saxophone, keyboards), Anthony LaMarca (guitar), and Eliza Hardy Jones (percussion, keyboards).
Founded by close collaborators Granduciel and Kurt Vile, the War on Drugs released their debut studio album, Wagonwheel Blues, in 2008. Vile departed shortly after its release to focus on his solo career, with Granduciel serving as the band’s sole constant member thereafter. The band’s second studio album Slave Ambient was released in 2011 to favorable reviews and a lengthy tour. The band’s third album, Lost in the Dream, was released in 2014 following extensive touring and a period of loneliness and clinical depression for primary songwriter Granduciel. The album was released to widespread critical acclaim and increased exposure.
The War on Drugs released their fifth studio album, I Don’t Live Here Anymore, on October 29, 2021. Along with the announcement of the album, the band released a single and accompanying music video for the album’s lead track, “Living Proof”, with a 2022 tour announcement. The album was released to widespread critical acclaim, placing highly on several end-of-year lists. For the album’s accompanying tour, keyboardist Eliza Hardy Jones, who has previously played with bass guitarist Dave Hartley in his solo project, Nightlands, joined the band.
Throughout 2024, Granduciel concurrently produced the third studio album by the English singer–songwriter Sam Fender, People Watching (2025), and the forthcoming sixth solo studio album by The Hold Steady’s Craig Finn, Always Been, which is scheduled for release on April 4, 2025. Always Been features Granduciel and The War on Drugs appearing as Finn’s backing band throughout.
The band has been described as indie rock, heartland rock and neo-psychedelia, as well as Americana.Not only do they draw inspiration from artists like Bruce Springsteen, Talk Talk, and Granduciel’s “favorite modern day band”, Wilco, but they have inspired their own wave of guitar-forward, synth-layered indie rockers.
If you didn’t know before, now you do. Crank this one up and enjoy. It’s Friday after all.
