Funeral Party
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 2005 |
| Headquarters | Whittier, California , United States |
Key people | Chad Elliott (lead vocals), James Lawrence Torres (guitar), Kimo Kauhola (bass guitar), Daniel Santillan (keyboards) |
| Products | Music albums, singles, EPs |
Funeral Party was an American band specializing in alternative rock, established in 2005. The lineup featured lead singer Chad Elliott, guitarist James Lawrence Torres, bassist Kimo Kauhola, and multi-instrumentalist Daniel Santillan.
History
Originating from Whittier, California, Funeral Party derived their name from a track by The Cure. The group saw music as a means to escape their local surroundings and aimed to expand into broader markets. They earned recognition by frequently performing at neighborhood venues, often under difficult conditions that highlighted their grassroots beginnings. Early on, producer Lars Stalfors of The Mars Volta supported them by assisting with the recording of the song "Chalice."
In 2007, the band attracted industry attention through an article mistakenly linked to the Los Angeles Times. This piece labeled them as the "Princes of the Eastside" and associated them with bands such as Moving Units and LCD Sound System. The article stirred debate within the East Los Angeles music community and raised their profile considerably.
Their initial contract with Fearless Records ended abruptly due to disagreements over marketing strategy, resulting in the label releasing only demo tracks via the 2008 Bootleg EP. After touring alongside French artist Yelle and experiencing a mid-tour contract termination, they secured a new record deal during South by Southwest.
Funeral Party later signed with Sony Music to launch their debut album The Golden Age of Knowhere, which was released in early 2011 in the UK, Australia, and the United States. This album established their presence in alternative rock circles and earned them a spot at number 47 on NME’s '50 Best New Bands of 2010' list.
To promote the album, they performed on major American television shows such as Late Show with David Letterman, Jimmy Kimmel Live!, and Conan. Their song "Finale" received commercial exposure through a Taco Bell "Doritos Locos Taco" campaign and was played on Cleveland's ESPN850 WKNR radio station.
In 2013, guitarist James Torres revealed plans for a follow-up album expected in 2014, previewing new tracks including "Circles," but this project ultimately remained unfinished.
The band dissolved in March 2016 but reunited for a live set at the first Just Like Heaven festival held in Long Beach on May 4, 2019.
Members
- Chad Elliott – lead vocals
- James Lawrence Torres – guitar
- Kimo Kauhola – bass guitar
- Daniel Santillan – keyboards
Former touring drummers
- George Falcon Verdugo
- Neil Gonzales
- Robert Shaffer
- Alfredo Ortiz (also contributed as studio musician)
- Dylan Miller
Studio albums
| Year | Album details | Peak chart positions |
|---|---|---|
| UK | ||
| 2011 | The Golden Age of Knowhere
|
37 |
Extended plays
| Year | Album details |
|---|---|
| 2008 | Bootleg
|
| 2011 | Live at the BBC
|
Singles
| Year | Track | Source Album |
|---|---|---|
| 2010 | "New York City Moves to the Sound of L.A." | The Golden Age of Knowhere |
| "Just Because" | ||
| "Finale" |