Active Bird Community
| Company type | Indie rock band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 2005 |
| Founder | Tom D'Agustino, Andrew Wolfson, Zach Slater |
| Defunct | 2020 |
| Headquarters | Brooklyn, New York , United States |
| Products | Music albums and EPs |
Active Bird Community (ABC) was an indie rock group originating from Brooklyn, New York, established in 2005 when its members were just 11 years old. Over the span of their career, they produced four albums between 2012 and 2018 before officially parting ways in 2020. Their musical style often invited comparisons to bands such as The Crocketts and Radiohead.
Career
The band began in 2005, founded by Tom D'Agustino, Andrew Wolfson, and Zach Slater. During their college years, drummer Quinn McGovern joined the lineup after the departure of their previous drummer; he became part of the group following a freshman-year introduction prompted by audience interest at a show featuring his own band.
Their first album, Magnum Opus, was released in 2012, succeeded by I've Been Going Swimming in 2015. The track "Pick Me Apart" from this second album was supported by a music video released in 2016. Their third studio effort, Stick Around, came out in 2017.
After signing with Barsuk, ABC unveiled Amends on October 26, 2018. This release garnered favorable critiques from publications including The Line of Best Fit, PopMatters, and Loud and Quiet.
In 2020, the band dissolved following a fundraising campaign initially intended to support a successor to Amends, which instead financed D'Agustino’s solo EP titled Homeschool: Book I, released under the moniker Homeschool. DJ Connor of Ones to Watch described D'Agustino’s experience with ABC as "happily unhappy."
Musical style
ABC’s sound combined elements of indie rock and indie pop. According to PopMatters, the album Amends recalled the alternative rock vibe of the mid-1990s. Billboard characterized Stick Around as "a scrappy punk slugfest," comparing it to a punk-infused version of Vitamin C's "Graduation (Friends Forever)." Meanwhile, Clash described the song "Sweaty Lake" as embodying slacker rock and guitar pop aesthetics. Overall, their music has been likened to that of The Crocketts, Manchester Orchestra, Radiohead, and Car Seat Headrest.
Members
- Andrew Wolfs – vocals, guitar
- Quinn McGovern – drums
- Tom D'Agustino – vocals, guitar
- Zach Slater – bass
Discography
Information compiled from Spotify and Bandcamp.
Albums
- Magnum Opus (2012)
- I've Been Going Swimming (2015)
- Stick Around (2017)
- Amends (2018)
EPs
- Drive Like Your Kids Live Here (2012)
- Active Bird Community (2015)
- Active Bird Community on Audiotree Live (2017)
Singles
- "Mooncalf" (2014)
- "After Party" (2014)
- "Astrophobia / Eidolon" (2014)
- "Pick Me Apart" (2015)
- "Longport" (2016)
- "Qb Sneak" (2016)
- "Newbie" (2016)
- "Dead Legs" (2016)
- "Spend the Night" (2018)
- "Somewhere" (2019, featuring Samia)