The Cost (band)
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1999 |
| Defunct | 2003 |
| Headquarters | San Francisco Bay Area , United States |
| Products | Punk rock music, albums, EPs, singles |
The Cost was a band from the San Francisco Bay Area active between 1999 and 2003. Their discography includes the 2002 album Chimera released through Lookout! Records, an EP issued by New Disorder Records, a split 7-inch record alongside Canadian punk group d.b.s., and contributions to multiple compilation albums. The group extensively toured along the west coast, with a particular focus on the Pacific Northwest, as well as other regions across the United States. Their concluding performance took place at 924 Gilman Street in Berkeley on July 5, 2003.
Following the band's dissolution, several members became part of Communique and Middle-Aged Queers. Guitarist Sean McArdle embarked on a solo music career.
History
Stephen Loewinsohn and Shaun Osburn, both originally from Oakland and longtime friends since childhood, met Michael Hoffman during middle school. Prior to forming The Cost, they played together in various ensembles before recruiting vocalist Laird Rickard and officially launching The Cost on New Year's Eve of 1999. That same year, they released an eight-track EP recorded live over the course of two days.[1] Music critic Mike DaRonco from Allmusic highlighted the EP's "dark, chaotic sound with tribal beats and gruff vocals."[2]
In 2000, Rickard departed and was succeeded by Sean McArdle.[1] The Cost's sole full-length album, Chimera, was released in 2002 via Lookout! Records. Erik Hage of Allmusic characterized it as a "tightly played and aggressive effort," noting its strengths when steering clear of "doomier, sludgy moments."[3] Brendan Reid of Pitchfork Media provided a mixed critique, pointing out issues with tempo shifts but commending the "more straightforward rock tracks" such as "Hated Man," where the band’s intensity appeared genuine.[4]
Members
- Stephen Loewinsohn – Vocals, Guitar
- Shaun Osburn – Bass, Vocals
- Michael Hoffman – Drums
- Sean McArdle – Baritone Guitar, Vocals (2000–2003)
- Laird Rickard – Vocals (1999–2000)
7-inch singles and EPs
- Split with d.b.s. (1999, Sellout Records)
- El Sueno De La Razon Produce Monstrous (New Disorder Records, Bad Monkey Records, 1999)
Full-length albums
- Chimera (Lookout!, 2002)
Compilation appearances
- A Little Something For Everyone (New Disorder, 2000)
- Another Juan Rides The Bus (Stickrod Tapes, 2000)
- New Disorder Soda (New Disorder, 2001)
- Lookout! Freakout episode 3 (Lookout!, 2002)
External links
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