Bryan Devendorf
| Bryan Devendorf | |
|---|---|
| Born | Cincinnati, Ohio, United States |
| Genres | Indie rock |
| Instruments | Drums |
| Years active | 1999–present |
| Associated acts | The National, Pfarmers |
Bryan Devendorf is an American drummer. He is best known as a founding member of the indie rock band The National, with whom he has recorded six studio albums. Devendorf is also a member of the experimental rock band Pfarmers.
Biography
Bryan Devendorf was raised in Cincinnati, Ohio. Describing the city, Devendorf noted: "It’s a city of dramatic valleys, all carved by tributaries to the Ohio River. Lying just beyond the southern reach of the last glaciers, which left much of the rest of Ohio considerably flat; Cincinnati, with its sweeping inclines, its seven hills, is the exception."[1]
As a child, Devendorf was tutored by Afghan Whigs drummer Steve Earle: "My first drum teacher was Steve Earle, not the singer-songwriter, but he was in the band The Afghan Whigs. He was with them through Gentleman - all the good Whigs records."[2]
Prior to performing in The National, Devendorf worked as a Book Publisher for Soho Press: "[It was] in the midst of the dot-com bubble and all that high-flying what-have-you, I was sifting through piles of manuscripts, looking for gold. [...] I did get the opportunity to edit a few titles, start to finish. It was an invaluable experience all around."[1] In 2007, Devendorf worked at as a "proofreader at an “interactive” ad agency," while still performing in The National.[1] He later noted, in 2010: "My wife keeps trying to get on me to start writing again, but I’m just too lazy. But I think what I would do [if I wasn't in The National] is be a Copy Editor, working on novels. I don’t know if I could write a novel; I’m more of a non-fiction guy. Memoirist, I guess."[2]
Influences
Devendorf is greatly influenced by Joy Division and New Order drummer Stephen Morris,[2] and the Krautrock bands, Can and Neu!.[3]
Personal life
Devendorf maintains an interest in golf: "I am a golfer. I don’t know if that’s “shocking”. I don’t get to play very often, but my parents just moved down to North Carolina on a golf course, so I golf while I’m down there. Every once in awhile in Brooklyn, I go out to Flatbush, to Reid Park. I actually had a hole-in-one in Brooklyn two years ago. 182 yards, uphill, out at Dyker Beach Golf Club, 17th hole."[2]
Discography
with The National
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- The National (2001)
- Sad Songs for Dirty Lovers (2003)
- Alligator (2005)
- Boxer (2007)
- High Violet (2010)
- Trouble Will Find Me (2013)
with Pfarmers
- Gunnera (2015)
