Poor Bailey began as a homemade solo project in late 2002, but
quickly transformed into a four piece indie rock band and emerged
onto the Bay Area music scene. In 2003 the band self released their
first record, Two Points Off the Weather Bow and was voted "Best
Emerging Artist" at the prestigious California Music Awards.
Poor Bailey also found themselves at the center of a thriving music
scene, playing shows at San Francisco's premier venues including
Slims, Cafe Du Nord and Bottom of the Hill.
Heading back into the studio the following year, Poor Bailey released
a few demos, including the song "A Common Cold", which
received consistent airplay on San Francisco based alternative radio
station, Live 105 FM. Live 105 went on to offer Poor Bailey the
opening slot at 2004's "Not So Silent Night" holiday show
at the Bill Graham Civic Auditorium, where they played alongside
bands including The Killers, Modest Mouse, Interpol, Franz Ferdinand,
Muse and Taking Back Sunday. The station's support has continued
throughout Poor Bailey's career, with continued airplay and guest
spots performing on Soundcheck with Aaron Axelson, a popular weekly
show.
2005 brought the next Poor Bailey release, The House is a Headstone
EP as a precursor to their next LP. Songs from this recording entered
constant rotation on local radio stations and countless podcasts
on the world wide web. Critics were also lavish with their praise,
as seen in these excerpts from music writer Tony Hicks' review in
the Contra Costa Times: "...They manage to sound like so many
great bands, yet sound like no one at the same time. They can go
creaky acoustic.or they can sound like an early '80s English band.or
they can sound like a semi-experimental up-to-date rock band that
can take a song just about anywhere they please.or they can just
play straight-ahead guitar rock with choruses that are so catchy,
it's silly. They pay attention to arrangement and balance power,
groove and quirk, as well as styles..."
Poor Bailey spent most of 2006 writing and preparing their next
full length record, drawing from a number of influences and inspirations
and thinking outside their normal songwriting formula. The band
turned to violinist/keyboard player Anton Patzner, a frequent contributor
to local bands, including Audrye Sessions and Street To Nowhere,
as well as major-label acts like Bright Eyes and The Faint, to add
a new dimension of beauty and ethereal sound in Poor Bailey's music.
The result is the long awaited, double record Pyrite & Gold,
which was released at a sold-out show at Bottom of the Hill in November
of 2006. Poor Bailey will be touring to support the new records
throughout the rest of the year and into 2007.
