John Britt Daniel (born April 14, 1971) is an American musician. He is the co-founder, lead singer and guitarist of the

rock Rock most often refers to: * Rock (geology), a naturally occurring solid aggregate of minerals or mineraloids * Rock music, a genre of popular music Rock or Rocks may also refer to: Places United Kingdom * Rock, Caerphilly, a location in Wales ...

band

Spoon A spoon is a utensil consisting of a shallow bowl (also known as a head), oval or round, at the end of a handle. A type of cutlery (sometimes called flatware in the United States), especially as part of a place setting, it is used primarily for ...

, as well as the co-founder, guitarist, bassist, and singer of the band

Divine Fits Divine Fits was an American-Canadian indie rock band composed of Britt Daniel (Spoon), Dan Boeckner (Wolf Parade, Handsome Furs, Operators), Sam Brown, and Alex Fischel (Spoon). The group released their debut album, '' A Thing Called Divine Fit ...

. Daniel also founded numerous other bands in the early 1990s.

Early life

Britt Daniel was born in

Galveston Galveston ( ) is a coastal resort city and port off the Southeast Texas coast on Galveston Island and Pelican Island in the U.S. state of Texas. The community of , with a population of 47,743 in 2010, is the county seat of surrounding Galvesto ...

Texas Texas (, ; Spanish language, Spanish: ''Texas'', ''Tejas'') is a state in the South Central United States, South Central region of the United States. At 268,596 square miles (695,662 km2), and with more than 29.1 million residents in 2 ...

and grew up in

Temple, Texas Temple is a city in Bell County, Texas, United States. As of 2020, the city has a population of 82,073 according to the U.S. census, and is one of the two principal cities in Bell County. Located near the county seat of Belton, Temple lies in t ...

, a town of 73,000 people about an hour north of

Austin Austin is the capital city of the U.S. state of Texas, as well as the seat and largest city of Travis County, with portions extending into Hays and Williamson counties. Incorporated on December 27, 1839, it is the 11th-most-populous city ...

. Daniel is the oldest of three children from his parents' marriage. He also has two younger half-siblings. His father, a

neurologist Neurology (from el, νεῦρον (neûron), "string, nerve" and the suffix -logia, "study of") is the branch of medicine dealing with the diagnosis and treatment of all categories of conditions and disease involving the brain, the spinal c ...

, was a fan of

the Beatles The Beatles were an English Rock music, rock band, formed in Liverpool in 1960, that comprised John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr. They are regarded as the Cultural impact of the Beatles, most influential band of al ...

and

the Rolling Stones The Rolling Stones are an English rock band formed in London in 1962. Active for six decades, they are one of the most popular and enduring bands of the rock era. In the early 1960s, the Rolling Stones pioneered the gritty, rhythmically d ...

and a collector of guitars; Daniel himself reportedly picked up the guitar in high school after his college-bound girlfriend ended their relationship.'Sup Magazine
"The Biography of Britt Daniel of Spoon As Told Through Music"
, December 2005. Retrieved October 11, 2007.

Career

In 1988 Britt Daniel formed his first band The Zygotes while in high school. In 1990, while a student at the

University of Texas at Austin The University of Texas at Austin (UT Austin, UT, or Texas) is a public research university in Austin, Texas. It was founded in 1883 and is the oldest institution in the University of Texas System. With 40,916 undergraduate students, 11,075 ...

, Daniel formed his second band, Skellington, with Travis Hartnett, Mac Stringfellow, Paul Cannon and Mike Hurewitz. Skellington recorded and self-released ''This Town's Gone Dry'' in 1991, and the ''Skellington EP'' was released a year later in 1992. Before breaking up, the band released ''Skellington Rex'', which contained songs that were re-recorded on

's debut album ''

Telephono ''Telephono'' is the debut studio album by the indie rock band Spoon. It was released on April 23, 1996, by Matador, then re-released in a two-disc package with the ''Soft Effects'' EP in 2006 by Merge Records. "Idiot Driver" had previously appe ...

''.Raoul Hernandez
"Drake Tungsten and his Boy Skellington"
''

Austin Chronicle ''The Austin Chronicle'' is an alternative weekly newspaper published every Thursday in Austin, Texas, United States. The paper is distributed through free news-stands, often at local eateries or coffee houses frequented by its targeted demogr ...

'', January 25, 1999 The following year, Daniel joined a three-piece

rockabilly Rockabilly is one of the earliest styles of rock and roll music. It dates back to the early 1950s in the United States, especially the Southern United States, South. As a genre it blends the sound of Western music (North America), Western music ...

band named

The Alien Beats The Alien Beats is a band created by Britt Daniel. Before creating Spoon, Britt Daniel toyed around with a few musical acts in the Austin area. After his stint with Skellington, fellow KTSB (now KVRX) DJ Brad Shenfeld asked Britt if he would be ...

with Brad Shenfeld. During a 1993 Alien Beats recording session, computer-chip designer and percussionist

Jim Eno Jim Eno (born February 8, 1966) is the drummer and one of the founding members of the Austin, Texas band Spoon. He is also a record producer and a semiconductor chip designer. Eno is not related to sound engineer and record producer Brian Eno; ...

was brought in as a substitute drummer, and was later made the permanent drummer. The Alien Beats released a 7" single in May 1993, disbanding soon after. On 5 May 2018, Daniel appeared on

NPR National Public Radio (NPR, stylized in all lowercase) is an American privately and state funded nonprofit media organization headquartered in Washington, D.C., with its NPR West headquarters in Culver City, California. It differs from other ...

's news quiz show '' Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me!'' for the regular celebrity question segment "Not My Job".

Spoon

In 1993, Daniel and ex-Alien Beats drummer Eno, along with guitarist Greg Wilson and bassist Andy McGuire, formed

. Spoon has served as Daniel's primary musical focus.

Drake Tungsten

Drake Tungsten was the pseudonym which Daniel performed under from 1994 to 1996 as a solo artist. When ''The Alien Beats'' disbanded in 1993, he decided to focus his music career on solo material that he had written over the previous years - songs that were more experimental and unfit for the styles of bands that he had previously played. Rather than releasing them under his proper name, Daniel decided to release them under the

pseudonym A pseudonym (; ) or alias () is a fictitious name that a person or group assumes for a particular purpose, which differs from their original or true name (orthonym). This also differs from a new name that entirely or legally replaces an individua ...

Drake Tungsten. His first such album, '' Clocking Out Is For Suckers'', was released in 1994 on cassette, and was distributed around his home town of

Austin, Texas Austin is the capital city of the U.S. state of Texas, as well as the county seat, seat and largest city of Travis County, Texas, Travis County, with portions extending into Hays County, Texas, Hays and Williamson County, Texas, Williamson co ...

. Two years later, Tungsten released the five-song EP ''

Six Pence for the Sauces ''Six Pence for the Sauces'' was the second and last record released by Drake Tungsten. The five-song EP included two future Spoon tracks, as well as a Pixies cover. 1996 marked the end of Drake Tungsten, as well as the birth of Spoon - the musi ...

'' on local label Peek-A-Boo Records. Also in 1996, Daniel began working again with drummer

(previously from The Alien Beats) and began writing music under the moniker

. Five tracks that were released by Tungsten were later re-recorded and re-release by Spoon: "I Could Be Underground" on the '' 30 Gallon Tank'' EP; "Chicago At Night" on the ''

Girls Can Tell ''Girls Can Tell'' is the third studio album by American indie rock band Spoon. Intended as a stylistic departure from the band's previous work, ''Girls Can Tell'' features classic rock and new wave influences absent on their major label albums. ...

'' LP; and "All the Negatives Have Been Destroyed", "Dismember", and "I Wanted To Be Your Friend" on ''

''. Britt Daniel stopped using this pseudonym in 1996, and has not recorded a solo album since self-releasing of ''Six Pence for the Sauces''. However, he has begun setting aside songs for a possible solo album, including "New York Kiss" and "Telephone My Heart,"Sean O'Neal
"Britt Daniel of Spoon,"
July 19, 2007. Retrieved October 12, 2007. which he has been performing at solo shows since at least early 2006 (se

. The pseudonym "Drake Tungsten" appears to be an homage to Episode 410 (first airing in 1992) of the comic television series

Mystery Science Theater 3000 ''Mystery Science Theater 3000'' (abbreviated as ''MST3K'') is an American science fiction comedy film review television series created by Joel Hodgson. The show premiered on KTMA-TV (now WUCW) in Minneapolis, Minnesota, on November 24, 1988. ...

. "Drake Tungsten" was one of several "tough guy names" proposed by the characters to fit the model of a monosyllabic first name followed by a metal or hard surface as a last name. Others included "Nick Pigiron" and "Russ Tilefloor."

Solo work Britt Daniel

Daniel has reportedly begun setting aside songs for a possible solo album, including "New York Kiss" and "Telephone My Heart," which he has been performing at solo shows since at least early 2006.

Divine Fits

From 2011 to 2013, Daniel was involved in a new band called

, consisting of members from Spoon,

Wolf Parade Wolf Parade is a Canadian indie rock band formed in 2003 in Montreal. The band released three full-length albums before taking a five-year hiatus in 2011. They announced their return in 2016, releasing a self-titled EP in May of that year, and a ...

and New Bomb Turks. The group's debut, ''

A Thing Called Divine Fits ''A Thing Called Divine Fits'' is the only studio album by American–Canadian indie rock band Divine Fits. The album was recorded in Los Angeles in a backyard studio with producer Nick Launay between March and May 2012. It was released on August ...

'', was released on August 28, 2012 through Merge Records. The first single from the album, "My Love Is Real", was released on July 10, 2012.

Collaborations

* In 1999, Daniel played bass for two gigs in the

glam rock Glam rock is a style of rock music that developed in the United Kingdom in the early 1970s and was performed by musicians who wore outrageous costumes, makeup, and hairstyles, particularly platform shoes and glitter. Glam artists drew on diver ...

supergroup Supergroup or super group may refer to: * Supergroup (music), a music group formed by artists who are already notable or respected in their fields * Supergroup (physics), a generalization of groups, used in the study of supersymmetry * Supergroup ...

Golden Millennium, composed of fellow Peek-A-Boo Records labelmates. * In 2002, Daniel worked with Bright Eyes on the fourth volume of Post-Parlo's Home Series. * In 2002, Daniel recorded bass, keyboards and backing vocals on the first Sally Crewe & The Sudden Moves album, "Drive It Like You Stole It" (12XU). * Daniel has produced songs for the bands I Love You But I've Chosen Darkness and

Interpol The International Criminal Police Organization (ICPO; french: link=no, Organisation internationale de police criminelle), commonly known as Interpol ( , ), is an international organization that facilitates worldwide police cooperation and cri ...

. * In 2004, Daniel remixed

's " Slow Hands," which appears on the "Slow Hands" single. * He previously worked as a sound designer and composer for the computer game company

Origin Systems Origin Systems, Inc. was an American video game developer based in Austin, Texas. It was founded on March 3, 1983, by Richard Garriott and his brother Robert Garriott, Robert. Origin is best known for their groundbreaking work in multiple genres ...

. * In 2006, Daniel teamed up with Brian Reitzell and helped create some of the original music for the film '' Stranger Than Fiction''. * He also appeared in the ''

Veronica Mars ''Veronica Mars'' is an American teen noir mystery drama television series created by screenwriter Rob Thomas. The series is set in the fictional town of Neptune, California, and stars Kristen Bell as the eponymous character. The series prem ...

'' episode " Rashard and Wallace Go to White Castle", air date February 1, 2006, in which he sang a karaoke version of

Elvis Costello Declan Patrick MacManus Order of the British Empire, OBE (born 25 August 1954), known professionally as Elvis Costello, is an English singer-songwriter and record producer. He has won multiple awards in his career, including a Grammy Award in ...

's "Veronica." * In 2009, he produced the White Rabbits album '' It's Frightening''. * In 2015, he collaborated with Austin band Sweet Spirit on the song "Have Mercy" and a cover of

's Paper Tiger. * In 2022, he sings harmonies with

Conrad Keely Conrad Keely (born 15 May 1972) is a musician, artist, and writer known primarily as the lead singer for the American rock band ...And You Will Know Us by the Trail of Dead. Background Born in Nuneaton, Warwickshire, England of Irish and Thai d ...

on the song "Growing Divide" by the band ...And You Will Know Us by the Trail of Dead, from the album XI: Bleed Here Now.

Discography

Skellington

* ''The Town's Gone Dry'' (1991) Self-Released * ''Skellington EP'' (1992) Self-Released * ''Skellington Rex'' (1992) Self-Released

The Alien Beats

* ''Cavin' In'' (1993) Syncretic Records

Drake Tungsten

* '' Clocking Out Is For Suckers'' LP (1994, self-released) * ''

'' EP (1996, Peek-A-Boo Records) * " Dozy Vs. Drake - Upon Further Consideration" Single (1998, Revival Records) * A song entitled "This is a Whipping" appeared on the Peek-A-Boo Records 1995 Compilation ''Bicycle Rodeo'
Rodeo''
Artist Bio
"Drake Tungsten"
Peek-A-Boo Records, retrieved March 7, 2008.

Golden Millennium

* ''Golden Millennium'' (1999) Peek-A-Boo Records

Spoon

* ''

'' (1996)

Matador Records Matador Records is an independent record label, with a roster of mainly indie rock, but also punk rock, experimental rock, alternative rock, and electronic acts. History Matador was created in 1989 by Chris Lombardi in his New York City apart ...

* ''

Soft Effects ''Soft Effects'' is the second EP by the indie rock band Spoon. It was released on January 21, 1997, by Matador, then re-released with ''Telephono'' in 2006 by Merge Records Merge Records is an independent record label based in Durham, Nor ...

'' (1997)

* ''

A Series of Sneaks ''A Series of Sneaks'' is the second studio album by the indie band Spoon, released by Elektra Records in April 1998. Despite being overlooked critically and commercially upon its release, the album has since attained cult status. Production Afte ...

'' (1998)

Elektra Records Elektra Records (or Elektra Entertainment) is an American record label owned by Warner Music Group, founded in 1950 by Jac Holzman and Paul Rickolt. It played an important role in the development of contemporary folk and rock music between the 1 ...

* '' The Agony of Laffitte'' (1998)

Saddle Creek Saddle Creek Records is an American record label based in Omaha, Nebraska. Started as a college class project on entrepreneurship, the label was founded by Mike Mogis and Justin Oberst in 1993 (as Lumberjack Records). Mogis soon turned over his ...

* '' Love Ways'' (2000)

Merge Records Merge Records is an independent record label based in Durham, North Carolina. It was founded in 1989 by Laura Ballance and Mac McCaughan. It began as an outlet for music from their band Superchunk and music created by friends, and has expande ...

* ''

'' (2001)

* ''

Kill the Moonlight ''Kill the Moonlight'' is the fourth album by American rock band Spoon released on August 20, 2002 through Merge Records. The album features a stripped-down, minimal sound that incorporates various different instruments such as tambourines and pi ...

'' (2002)

* ''

Gimme Fiction ''Gimme Fiction'' is the fifth studio album by American indie rock band Spoon. It was released on May 10, 2005, through Merge Records in the US and Matador Records in Europe. It debuted at number 44 on the ''Billboard'' 200. " I Turn My Camera O ...

'' (2005)

* ''

Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga ''Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga'' is the sixth studio album by American rock band Spoon. It was first released on July 10, 2007, through Merge Records and Anti-. It received critical acclaim and appeared on several year-end album lists. The album debuted at nu ...

'' (2007)

* ''

Transference Transference (german: Übertragung) is a phenomenon within psychotherapy in which the "feelings, attitudes, or desires" a person had about one thing are subconsciously projected onto the here-and-now Other. It usually concerns feelings from a ...

'' (2010)

* ''

They Want My Soul ''They Want My Soul'' is the eighth studio album by American indie rock band Spoon. It was released on August 5, 2014 through the band's new label, Loma Vista Recordings. It is the band's first album to feature Alex Fischel, who plays keyboards an ...

'' (2014)

Loma Vista Recordings Loma Vista Recordings is a record label founded by Tom Whalley, former chairman and CEO of Warner Bros. Records and Executive of A&R at Interscope Records. The label was initially a joint venture with Republic Records and is based in Beverly Hill ...

* '' Hot Thoughts'' (2017)

* ''

Lucifer on the Sofa ''Lucifer on the Sofa'' is the tenth studio album by American rock band Spoon, released on February 11, 2022, through Matador Records. Spoon began work on the album in late 2018 after the conclusion of their tour supporting ''Hot Thoughts'' (2017 ...

'' (2022)

Divine Fits

* ''

'' (2012)

Solo recordings

* '' Home: Volume IV'' (2002) Post-Parlo

References

External links

Britt Daniel collection
at

Internet Archive The Internet Archive is an American digital library with the stated mission of "universal access to all knowledge". It provides free public access to collections of digitized materials, including websites, software applications/games, music, ...

live music archive * Peek-A-Boo Records
Drake Tungsten page
* Spoo
Official Website
{{DEFAULTSORT:Daniel, Britt American rock songwriters American male singer-songwriters American rock singers American rock guitarists People from Galveston, Texas Writers from Austin, Texas Musicians from Austin, Texas Living people Origin Systems people Singer-songwriters from Texas Guitarists from Texas 1971 births American male guitarists Spoon (band) members 21st-century American singers 21st-century American guitarists 21st-century American male singers

Early life

Career

Spoon

Drake Tungsten

Solo work Britt Daniel

Divine Fits

Collaborations

Discography

Skellington

The Alien Beats

Drake Tungsten

Golden Millennium

Spoon

Divine Fits

Solo recordings

See also

References

External links