The Distillers
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1998 in Los Angeles, United States |
| Founder | Brody Dalle |
| Headquarters | Los Angeles , United States |
Area served | Worldwide |
Key people | Brody Dalle, Tony Bevilacqua, Ryan Sinn, Andy Granelli |
| Products | Music albums, singles, live performances |
The Distillers are a punk rock group from the United States, established in Los Angeles in 1998 by Australian singer and guitarist Brody Dalle. Dalle contributed as co-writer, guitarist, and lead vocalist on almost every track throughout their three studio releases. After disbanding in 2006, Dalle and guitarist Tony Bevilacqua created the band Spinnerette, prior to The Distillers' reunion in 2018.
History
The formation of The Distillers took place in late 1998 when Brody Dalle connected with bassist Kim Chi; they then brought on guitarist Rose Mazzola and drummer Matt Young. The band secured a deal with Epitaph Records and launched their self-titled debut album in April 2000. Later that year, Kim Chi departed; following several lineup adjustments, bassist Ryan Sinn and drummer Andy Granelli joined by mid-2002. Guitarist and vocalist Tony Bevilacqua became part of the group for their third album and major-label introduction Coral Fang, released in 2003 through Sire Records. During this period, after divorcing Rancid’s Tim Armstrong, Dalle resumed her career under her own name.
In early 2005, Granelli exited the band, followed by Sinn in the summer; despite breakup rumors, the band entered a hiatus phase. Early in 2006, Dalle welcomed her first child with husband Josh Homme of Queens of the Stone Age. By the end of that year, The Distillers officially disbanded, with the remaining members moving forward to form Spinnerette.
In January 2018, Dalle announced the band's comeback via social media platforms. Initial reports suggested a lineup featuring Dalle, Bevilacqua, Granelli, and former Spinnerette member Alain Johannes; however, Johannes was later excluded while bassist Sinn rejoined. Subsequently, Bevilacqua removed his Twitter presence.
The Distillers revealed plans for their first live performance in over thirteen years at The Casbah in San Diego scheduled for April 2018. On September 11, 2018, they digitally released a new single. Recording for their fourth studio album began in April 2019 with English producer Nick Launay at the helm.
On July 16, 2021, they unveiled Live in Lockdown, a live album comprising nine tracks from their 2020 online concert. Although slated to perform at the When We Were Young festival in 2024, The Distillers withdrew without providing reasons. As of May 2025, their last live show dates back to January 2020.
Band members
Current
- Brody Dalle – lead vocals, rhythm guitar (1998–2006, 2018–present), lead guitar (2002–2003)
- Ryan Sinn – bass guitar, backing vocals (2000–2005, 2018–present)
- Andy Granelli – drums (2000–2005, 2018–present)
- Tony "Bradley" Bevilacqua – lead guitar, backing vocals (2003–2006, 2018–present)
Former
- Rose "Casper" Mazzola – lead guitar, backing vocals (1998–2002)
- Kim Chi – bass guitar, backing vocals (1998–2000)
- Mat Young – drums (1998–2000)
- Dante Sigona – bass guitar, backing vocals (2000)
Studio albums
| Year | Album details | Highest chart rankings | Certification | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| US | US Ind. |
UK | |||
| 2000 | The Distillers
|
— | — | — | |
| 2002 | Sing Sing Death House
|
— | 29 | — | |
| 2003 | Coral Fang
|
97 | — | 46 |
|
Extended plays
| Title | Information |
|---|---|
| The Distillers EP |
|
Singles
| Title | Release Year | Highest chart rankings | Source album | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| US Alt |
SCO |
UK |
UK Indie |
UK Rock | |||
| "The Young Crazed Peeling" | 2002 | — | — | — | — | — | Sing Sing Death House |
| "City of Angels" | — | — | 104 | 38 | 13 | ||
| "Drain the Blood" | 2003 | 28 | 48 | 51 | — | 8 | Coral Fang |
| "The Hunger" | 2004 | — | — | 48 | — | — | |
| "Beat Your Heart Out" | — | — | 74 | — | — | ||
| "Man vs. Magnet" | 2018 | — | — | — | — | — | Man vs. Magnet / Blood in Gutters |
Music videos
- "The Young Crazed Peeling" (2002)
- "City of Angels" (2002)
- "Drain the Blood" (2003)
- "The Hunger" (2003)
- "Beat Your Heart Out" (2004)
- "Man vs. Magnet" (2018)
- "City of Angels (Live)" (2021)
In popular culture
- In a 2003 installment of Gilmore Girls, Jess unexpectedly gifts Rory tickets to a Distillers show.
- The track "Muppet N.A.M.B.L.A" from the Leftöver Crack EP Rock the 40 Oz includes guest vocals by Dalle.
- Within the Daredevil episode titled "Kinbaku," the song "Die on a Rope" is featured during a car scene with Matt Murdock and Elektra.
Video games
- The track "Beat Your Heart Out" is featured in both Tony Hawk's Underground 2 and ATV Offroad Fury 3.
- "Dismantle Me" appears on the soundtrack of MTX Mototrax.
- Included in Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 4 is the song "Seneca Falls".
- "Drain the Blood" can be found in Gran Turismo 4 as well as downloadable content for Rock Band.
- The video game adaptation of Spider-Man 2 includes both "Beat Your Heart Out" and a rendition of the "Spider-Man theme song".
- Songs "City of Angels" and "Hall of Mirrors" are part of the 2004 title True Crime: Streets of LA.
- Additionally, "City of Angels" is featured in Crash 'N' Burn and appears in the third episode, titled "Money", of the TV miniseries Sleeper Cell.
External links
- [1] Official website (Archived)
- The Distillers on Facebook
- The Distillers on Instagram
- The Distillers on Twitter
- The Distillers on Myspace
- Articles with short description
- Hellcat Records artists
- Musical groups established in 1998
- Musical groups disestablished in 2006
- Musical groups reestablished in 2018
- Musical quartets from California
- Street punk groups
- Sire Records artists
- Epitaph Records artists
- Rise Records artists
- Rock music groups from California
- Musical groups from Los Angeles
- Hardcore punk groups from California
- Female-fronted musical groups
- 1998 establishments in California