Ted Leo and the Pharmacists

Ted Leo and the Pharmacists
Ted Leo and the Pharmacists in a publicity photo by Kyle Cassidy.
Background information
Origin	Washington, D.C.
Genres	Punk rock, indie rock, art punk
Years active	1999–present
Labels	Gern Blandsten, Ace Fu, Lookout!, Touch and Go, Matador
Associated acts	Citizens Arrest, Chisel, the Sin-Eaters, the Both
Website	www.tedleo.com
Members	Ted Leo James Canty Chris Wilson
Past members	Jodi V.B. Amy Farina Dorien Garry Dave Lerner Marty Key

Ted Leo and the Pharmacists (sometimes written Ted Leo/Pharmacists, Ted Leo + Pharmacists, or TL/Rx) are an American rock band formed in 1999 in Washington, D.C. They have released six full-length studio albums and have toured internationally. Though the group's lineup has fluctuated throughout their career, singer/guitarist Ted Leo has remained the band's main songwriter, creative force, and only constant member. The group's music combines elements of punk rock, indie rock, art punk, traditional rock, and occasionally folk music and dub reggae. Their most recent album, The Brutalist Bricks, was released on March 9, 2010.

Ted Leo started the Pharmacists essentially as a solo project in 1999. His previous band Chisel had broken up in the late 1990s, after which he spent time with the Spinanes and the Sin Eaters and acted as producer for the Secret Stars. In 1999, he recorded the album tej leo(?), Rx / pharmacists, a solo effort which was highly experimental and mixed elements of punk rock, reggae, dub and audio experimentation. In 2000, Leo expanded the project to a full band including James Canty on guitar, Jodi V.B. on bass and Amy Farina on drums. He named the backing band the Pharmacists, and the group released the EP Treble in Trouble. The EP moved away from many of the experimental elements of tej leo by relying on more traditional rock structures and instrumentation, though it still explored some non-traditional characteristics.

The band signed to Lookout! Records in 2001 and experienced more lineup changes as V.B. and Farina left the group. For the album The Tyranny of Distance, Leo and Canty utilized a number of in-studio backing musicians. The album incorporated multiple styles including Celtic rock, acoustic folk balladry and pop rock. During the supporting tours for The Tyranny of Distance, bassist Dave Lerner, drummer Chris Wilson and keyboardist Dorien Garry became permanent members of the band. The group's next album, 2003's Hearts of Oak, drew from punk rock and new wave influences. The EP Tell Balgeary, Balgury Is Dead soon followed and featured a number of Leo's solo songs and covers. The band's video documentary Dirty Old Town was released the same year.