Dirty on Purpose
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 2002 |
| Defunct | 2008 |
| Headquarters | Brooklyn , United States |
| Products | Music albums and EPs |
Dirty on Purpose was a Brooklyn-based American group recognized for their blend of indie pop and shoegaze genres.
History
Established in 2002, the founding members consisted of Doug Marvin (drums, vocals), Joseph Jurewicz (guitar, vocals), George Wilson (guitar, vocals), DJ Boudreau (bass), and Erika Forster (keyboards, vocals). The band attracted local attention in New York through their dynamic use of alternating male and female vocalists paired with multi-layered, distorted guitar sounds reminiscent of My Bloody Valentine and the Jesus and Mary Chain.
Their initial release was a self-produced four-track EP in 2003, which was succeeded by Sleep Late for a Better Tomorrow in 2004; this album was later reissued by North Street Records in 2005. Forster exited the group to dedicate herself to her other musical endeavor, the indie pop trio Au Revoir Simone.
On June 29, 2006, Dirty on Purpose launched their first full-length album, Hallelujah Sirens, under North Street Records. The release garnered positive reviews from media outlets such as Pitchfork, Entertainment Weekly, NPR, and Spin. It earned a nomination for Best Indie Rock Album at the 2007 PLUG Independent Music Awards. Additionally, the band co-hosted an episode of MTV2's Subterranean, debuting videos for tracks including "Light Pollution," "No Radio," and "Mind Blindness".
In 2008, they put out the EP Like Bees, which featured guest vocal contributions from Jaymay and Holly Miranda. This was followed by a digital-exclusive EP titled Dead Volcanoes released through RCRD LBL.
During their active years, Dirty on Purpose performed at prominent festivals such as SXSW, CMJ Music Marathon, and Pop Montreal. They also appeared on live broadcasts like KEXP and supported tours for bands including Arcade Fire, the Decemberists, and Band of Horses.
The group officially dissolved in 2008. On December 5, they announced via their MySpace page that they would be going separate ways and had no plans to produce further albums. Their concluding tour alongside A Place To Bury Strangers culminated with a final performance on December 31 at New York’s Mercury Lounge, which featured a guest appearance by Forster.
In popular culture
- "Girls and Sunshine," "Spider Eyes," and "All New Friends" were featured on MTV’s Laguna Beach: The Real Orange County (2005).
- "No Radio" appeared in MTV’s Human Giant (2007).
- "Audience in the Room" was included in a Virgin Mobile television advertisement (2008).
Former members
- Doug Marvin – drums, vocals (2002–2008)
- Joseph Jurewicz – guitar, vocals (2002–2008)
- George Wilson – guitar, vocals (2002–2008)
- DJ Boudreau – bass (2002–2008)
- Erika Forster – keyboards, vocals (2002–2004)
Studio albums
- Hallelujah Sirens (2006, North Street Records)
EPs
- Dirty on Purpose (2003, self-released)
- Sleep Late for a Better Tomorrow (2005, North Street Records)
- Like Bees (2008, North Street Records)
- Dead Volcanoes (2008, RCRD LBL)