Murder By Death

Named after the 1976 Robin Moore film of the same name, Murder by Death originally performed and recorded under the moniker Little Joe Gould. Comprised of guitarist Adam Turla, cellist Sarah Balliet, percussionist Alexander Schrodt, keyboardist Vincent Edwards, and bassist Matt Armstrong, the band’s early local shows caught the attention of labels TEAM AV and Eyeball Records. After forming in 2000, Little Joe Gould issued a self-titled, debut EP before contributing the track “I’m Afraid of Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf”, to the TEAM AV compilation “Foreign Nationals” in 2002.

Following an 11-date Southern American tour alongside Volta Do Mar in early 2002, Murder by Death, as they were now known, issued their debut album “Like the Exorcist, But More Breakdancing” in August 2002. Released by Eyeball Records, the album significantly raised the profile of the group and led to opening slots in support of Cursive, Interpol, and The American Analog Set. The band’s concept-themed, sophomore album, “Who Will Survive, and What Will Be Left of Them?” followed in October 2002, documenting a war between the devil and a small Mexican border town. Earning a string of positive reviews, the record features Gerard Way of My Chemical Romance and was once again supported by generous touring.

Murder by Death’s third album, “In Bocca al Lupo”, arrived in May 2006, followed by “Red of Tooth and Claw” in 2008. In 2010 the band released their fifth studio album “Good Morning, Magpie” which marked their first album to chart on the Billboard 200. Released on Vagrant Records, the album paved the way for their most successful release to date, the full-length, “Bitter Drink, Bitter Moon”, which rose to No. 76 on the Billboard 200. After the release Murder by Death signed with Bloodshot Records who issued their seventh studio album “Big Dark Love” in February 2015.