The Hive Dwellers

Indie rock ringleader Calvin Johnson (K Records, Beat Happening, Halo Benders, Dub Narcotic Sound System) goes back to basics with the stripped-down sounds of the Hive Dwellers. The band, whose name suggests a cooperative philosophy, formed in Olympia, Washington, with Johnson playing acoustic guitar and melodica in addition to laying down his distinctive baritone, joined live by bassist/electric guitarist Gabriel Will (Strangers) and drummer Evan Hashi (Desolation Wilderness). Past members of the group include K.E. Sixx (the Vibrarians), Brian Weber (Dub Narcotic Sound System, Chain & the Gang), Faustine Hudson (Curious Mystery), Spencer Kelley (Wallpaper, Basemint), Karl Blau, Brett Lyman, Fred Thomas (Saturday Looks Good to Me, City Center), and Michelle Mae (Make-Up). The Hive Dwellers made their recorded debut in 2009 with a cover of Superchunk's "My Noise" for the Score! 20 Years of Merge Records: The Covers! compilation, and hit the road with Chain & the Gang. Over the next two years they offered the Get In EP and Lynch the Swan 7", featuring raw, rhythmic guitar and hollow, stomping drums against Johnson's observational lyrics. Hewn from the Wilderness, the Hive Dwellers' full-length debut, arrived in June 2012, featuring the best-received songs that the band worked out live over the previous three years. In 2014, the Hive Dwellers returned with their second collection of songs, Moanin'.