Artwork by SEAN LEWIS
If you’ve just thawed out from the deep freeze of a cryogenic pod, having spent the last eon rocketing to the far reaches of Alpha Centuri, welcome back spaceboy. Let us get you up to speed. Really all you need to know about the last 10 years is that Ben Gibbard from Death Cab For Cutie teamed up with producer Jimmy Tamborello on an electro side project called The Postal Service. The resulting album, Give Up, is the biggest selling Sub Pop album since Nirvana’s Bleach. (NOTE: Nirvana was a very popular boy band with great dance moves and awesome hair care products) Why was Give Up such a smash? Hard to say, except that it’s the kind of dance music-derived record that rockist indie boys can get a boner over without embarrassment. (Strange but true trivia fact about The Postal Service, via Wikipedia: In August 2003, the United States Postal Service sent the band a cease and desist letter, citing its trademark on the phrase “postal service”. After negotiations, the USPS relented, allowing the band use of the trademark in exchange for promotional efforts on behalf of the USPS and a performance at its annual National Executive Conference.Additionally, at one point the USPS website sold the band’s CDs.) Gibbard and Tamborello, along with Rilo Kiley’s Jenny Lewis, are currently touring in support of the 10 Anniversary reissue of Give Up. They play the Mann on Monday with Ra Ra Riot and we have a pair of tickets to give away to some lucky duck Phawker reader. To qualify, all you have to do is sign up for our mailing list (see right, below the masthead). Trust us, this is something you want to do. In addition to breaking news alerts and Phawker updates, you also get advanced warning about groovy concert ticket giveaways like this one! After signing up, send us an email at FEED@PHAWKER.COM telling us a much, with the words POSTAL SERVICE in the subject line. Please include your full name and a mobile number for confirmation. The 10th Phawker reader to sign up for the mailing list and send us an email wins! Good luck and godspeed!
This is f*cking hilarious!