Biography

Chicago indie pop outfit the 1900s officially formed in the spring of 2004, but the group's roots date back more than a decade. Singer/guitarist Edward Anderson, guitarist Mike Jasinski, and drummer Tim Minnick first collaborated in high school, playing experimental noise rock under the name Minotaurs of P. Collegiate commitments forced the project to dissolve, but in 2001 Anderson returned to Chicago, signing on with Minnick's current band, roots rockers Forty Piece Choir. His tenure proved brief, however, and he eventually resurfaced in the post-punk unit Plane. Anderson remained in close contact with Minnick and Jasinski, however, and after recruiting bassist Charlie Ransford from power pop combo Turner Joy, they began recording their first demo sessions under the 1900s moniker. In the summer of 2004, vocalists Jeannie O'Toole and Caroline Donovan joined the lineup, and with the subsequent addition of violinist Kristina Dutton, the group's music quickly evolved, embracing elements of vintage sunshine pop and contemporary folk-pop. After playing their first-ever live gig in support of Bobby Conn, the 1900s signed to Urbana-based indie Parasol Records, issuing their acclaimed debut EP, Plume Delivery, in the spring of 2006. The record won raves from many quarters and the band spent the rest of the year playing short tours and working on new material. In the summer of 2007, the 1900s (still sporting the original lineup despite romantic entanglements) scored a spot at Lollapalooza, winning them some new fans. Their first full-length album, Cold & Kind, was released by Parasol in the autumn of 2007. During the three years before the release of the 1900s' next album, they released a stopgap EP (Medium High), Anderson and Donovan released an album by their side project Mazes, and Jasinski, Dutton, and Minnick left the band. Violinist Andra Kulans joined to replace Dutton and the revamped band released its second record, Return of the Century, in November of 2010. ~ Jason Ankeny & Tim Sendra, Rovi