For emo and alternative/college rock radio fans in the 2000s and 2010s, few bands meant more than both Death Cab for Cutie and The Postal Service. The one common link of course being front-man, Ben Gibbard. Death Cab for Cutie has remained active since their 1998 start and had an incredibly busy 2022 supporting the release of their latest album, “Asphalt Meadows.”
The Postal Service, however, officially disbanded in 2013 following a Lollapalooza after show. This was heartbreaking to fans as the band had just ended a long hiatus and hopes of a second album went up in flames. The indie synth pop band exploded with popularity into the mainstream with their lead single, “Such Great Heights,” and their singular album, “Give Up,” would eventually reach platinum status.
So, it was with great joy when The Postal Service not only announced they would be playing a full tour in 2023, the unthinkable had happened: they would be co-headlining with Death Cab for Cutie, allowing Gibbard to play double duty each night. The tour will kick off September 8th in Portland, Maine and conclude through mid-October, where they will be gracing none other than the world-famous Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles.
The bands will be coming together in part to celebrate the 20th anniversary milestones of The Postal Service’s “Give Up” and Death Cab for Cutie’s “Transatlanticism.”
Despite only putting out one album, The Postal Service made a huge splash in their short incarnation. To this day, they have the distinction of second-highest grossing album to be released on Sub Pop Records, only behind a small independent band you might have heard of: Nirvana and their debut album, “Bleach.” The Postal Service was the brainchild of Gibbard and producer Jimmy Tamborello; the album featured vocals from solo artist, Jenny Lewis, of Rilo Kiley fame. The success of “Such Great Heights” led to the release of popular follow-up singles “The District Sleeps Alone Tonight” and “We Will Become Silhouettes.”
Although this tour won’t start until September, Death Cab will kick off 2023 continuing to tour off of “Asphalt Meadows.” The Washington band’s early sound was reminiscent of other alt-emo bands of the ‘90s, such as Jimmy Eat World, Sunny Day Real Estate, and The Get-Up Kids. Their first few releases, 1998’s “Something About Airplanes,” and 2000’s “We Have the Facts and We’re Voting Yes” created a buzz and began to build a community of fans.
What started to generate and gain popularity, however, would explode with their fourth album as they released, “Transatlanticism” in 2003. The first single to receive major radio airplay was “The Sound of Settling,” and an entire generation of marginalized and misunderstood teens found an anthem and a band they could relate to. The band would carry that same fanbase and expand with their follow-up “Plans,” their biggest success to date. Those same fans have remained with the band ever since and will no doubt be the first to snag tickets for next year’s tour – don’t let yourself get left behind!
