Music
The best kept secret in music
Press
Shai Halperin's debut as Capitol Years (Meet Yr Acres, 2001) was a solo affair, made in his Philadelphia home. The quartet kicks here are a big leap in thrills: a dash of Beck in Halperin's voice and hooks, the twin-guitar grind of the Strokes. The six songs were cut in a week. The pleasure lasts much longer.
- David Fricke
Clever, sardonic lyrics backed with eerie, heavenly harmonies make the Capitol Years this city's most worthwhile act in some time - one capable of blatant rock-outs and fascinating subtlety.
- AD Amorosi
Discography
Meet Yr Acres CD - 2001
Jewelry Store EP - 2002
Pussyfootin CD - 2003
Ramona/Loretta Split 7'' w/The High Strung 2004
Photos
Feeling a bit camera shy
Bio
Shai Halperin first introduced The Capitol Years to the music world in July 2001 with his homemade full-length release Meet Yr Acres (Full Frame Records/Poor Poor Records).
Meet Yr Acres spent much of 2001 innocently making its way around the globe and garnering a goldmine of critical accolades. Beck, Bob Pollard, George Harrison, and Bob Dylan may have never heard the record, but their names nonetheless appeared in most every critic's review.
Urged to leave the bedroom and share the rock with a live audience, Shai recruited Dave Devesa on bass and drummer Sir Kyle Lloyd into the fold. Immediately, The Capitol Years sought to do away with the 'one-man band' aesthetic of Meet Yr Acres and began concentrating on new material. With collective backgrounds in offensive noise-rock as well as Beatle-esque pop, the group's first live performances proved to be dizzying rock and roll marathons.
Solidifying their base in the resurgent Philadelphia music scene, The Capitol Years quickly developed a curious loyal following. In February 2002, the addition of guitarist Jeff Van Newkirk helped complete the band's melodic and maniacal sound. Their first tour of the United States was a raging success that saw the band share stages with The Mooney Suzuki, The Warlocks, Clem Snide, and The Sadies among others.
Hoping to capture the rock and roll madness of their live shows, The Capitol Years wasted no time returning to the studio. The band once again commissioned Thom Monahan, partnered with Brian Mctear, to record their first full-band release. Six days after entering Philadelphia's Miner St. Studios the band emerged with the Jewelry Store EP. Recorded mostly live, Jewelry Store documents the band's rock and roll gall without neglecting the goose-bump-inducing harmonies that typify The Capitol Years' sound.
The Capitol Years have since undertaken 3 full U.S. tours as well as numerous regional jaunts. 2 weeks in the UK with The Mooney Suzuki as well as a handpicked opening slot for The Pixies' first show in 12 years have helped generate a significant buzz for one of Philadelphia's best bands. Today, The Capitol Years' live show elicits guffaws from the most subdued (and jaded) of music fans.
In late 2003, in the midst of a peculiar garage rock wave, The Capitol Years decided it was the perfect time to release a soft, hushed and harmony-filled record which had been sitting on the shelves since late 2001. Self released through Full Frame Records, Halperin finally introduced The Capitol Years Pussyfootin to the listening public. It too was received warmly and was named one of Philadelphia's best releases of 2003.
As 2004 approached, great press and praise continued to arrive. Features in Magnet, a column in Rolling Stone, as well as the honor of Philadelphia Magazine's 'The Best Band of 2003' kept The Capitol Years on people's minds and on their stereos. With the band's first truly full-length, Let Them Drink, due out in late 2004 The Capitol Years should keep their fans busy for some time to come. What began as a quiet, lo-fi outfit has evolved into a roaring, high-flying, behemoth of a band.
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