The Elms (band)
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 2000 |
| Headquarters | Seymour, Indiana , United States |
| Products | Music albums, live performances |
Number of employees | 4 |
The Elms was an American rock ensemble recognized for their blues-infused, roots-oriented sound, heavily influenced by the music of the 1960s and 1970s. Although the band formed in 2000, their official debut is often attributed to their first full album released in 2001, featuring Thomas Daugherty on guitar. Several members were located in Seymour, Indiana. Their musical style often invited comparisons to acts such as The Black Crowes, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, The Kinks, and The Beatles.
Their first major-label record, The Chess Hotel, was launched on May 2, 2006. Their concluding album, The Great American Midrange (2009), reached number 18 on the Billboard Heatseekers chart, representing their peak commercial achievement. The song "Back to Indiana" was accompanied by a music video released online in November 2009. On June 1, 2010, the band declared their intention to disband by July of the same year.
History
Owen Thomas and Thomas Daugherty first connected during their elementary school years in Missouri, united by a shared enthusiasm for music. After moving to Seymour, Indiana, Owen and Christopher Thomas signed with Sparrow Records—an EMI subsidiary—in 2000 to establish The Elms, a name inspired by a London coaching inn associated with their family heritage. Daugherty joined the group midway through 2000, contributing guitar work to their debut album, The Big Surprise. Initially, Nathan Bennett declined the bassist position due to prior obligations with A.M. Drive; Keith Miller filled the role but departed in 2003 to pursue college education. Subsequently, Bennett assumed bass duties, solidifying the lineup that remained until the band's dissolution.
The Elms earned acclaim for their dynamic live performances, precise musicianship, and Owen Thomas' sophisticated songwriting and lyrical depth. The band officially announced their breakup on June 1, 2010.
Music
The Elms introduced themselves with their debut album, The Big Surprise, which was released on May 22, 2001.
Their sophomore effort, Truth, Soul, Rock & Roll, arrived on October 22, 2002. The lead single "Speaking In Tongues" was featured on MTV2's "120 Minutes," while the follow-up single "Burn & Shine" climbed to number 24 on American CHR airplay charts in 2003. Between late 2002 and early 2003, the band toured alongside Jars of Clay and embarked on their inaugural headlining tour titled The Truth, Soul, Rock & Roll Tour from May through November 2003.
In 2004, a sold-out show in Muncie, IN was recorded and subsequently issued in 2005 as a limited edition live DVD titled "Burn The Fields: The Elms Live In Indiana," available exclusively via their website.
Their third studio project, The Chess Hotel, was released on May 2, 2006 through Universal South Records and was widely praised for its raw energy and quality songwriting.
On September 15, 2009, they unveiled their fourth album, The Great American Midrange, under their own Trust Incorporated label. This release achieved the highest chart placement of their career by reaching No. 18 on the Billboard Heatseekers chart. The song "This Is How the World Will End," penned by Owen Thomas, was utilized by Indianapolis NBC affiliate WTHR for promotional campaigns during 2008–2009. Its music video—featuring footage from Haiti’s Cité Soleil—was made available online in January 2010; all digital sales proceeds were donated to Care International’s earthquake relief efforts. Furthermore, "Back to Indiana" was chosen as the official theme song for the 2010 Big Ten Conference college basketball tournament.
On November 7, 2011, The Elms announced the release of a live concert documentary titled The Last Band on Earth: A Film About the Elms, which captures their final performance held in Indianapolis on July 30, 2010.
Live
Throughout their career, The Elms delivered more than 900 live performances, frequently introducing new material on stage prior to official album releases. In 2008, they took part in Farm Aid alongside notable artists such as Willie Nelson, Neil Young, and Dave Matthews. Their inaugural European tour occurred in August of the same year.
The group's concluding show was held at Radio Radio in Indianapolis on July 30, 2010, with tickets selling out a full five weeks beforehand. This extensive four-hour concert included nearly 40 tracks representing their ten-year musical journey. Plans were made to issue this event on DVD and Blu-ray, complemented by documentary content. The resulting concert film, titled The Last Band on Earth: A Film About the Elms, became available in November 2011.
In May 2015, The Elms revealed plans for two reunion performances scheduled for July 24 and 25, with proceeds supporting Second Helpings, an organization dedicated to aiding the homeless. Both shows quickly reached full capacity.
Band members
- Owen Thomas – lead vocals and guitar
- Christopher D. Thomas – drums and backing vocals
- Thomas Daugherty – guitar and backing vocals
- Nathan W. Bennett – bass guitar and backing vocals
Discography
| Title | Release Date | Record Label |
|---|---|---|
| Just Visiting | 1998 | |
| The Elms EP | 2000 | EMI/Sparrow |
| The Big Surprise | 2001 | EMI/Sparrow |
| Truth, Soul, Rock & Roll | 2002 | EMI/Sparrow |
| Burn the Fields: The Elms Live in Indiana (DVD) | 2005 | Absorb, Inc. |
| The Chess Hotel | 2006 | Universal Records South |
| This Is How the World Will End Digital Maxi-Single | 2008 | TRUST Incorporated |
| The Great American Midrange | 2009 | TRUST Incorporated |
| Stoppin' On a Dime: Live & Rare 2000–2010 Digital Box Set | 2010 | TRUST Incorporated |
| The Last Band On Earth: A Film About the Elms (DVD) | 2011 | TRUST Incorporated |
| Sidetracked: Rare & Unreleased 2000–2010 | 2020 | TRUST Incorporated / Absorb. |