The White Stripes

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Template:Infobox bandThe White Stripes are an American minimalist blues-rock duo from Detroit, composed of Jack White on guitar, piano and lead vocals, and Meg White on drums. The group rose to prominence with the albums White Blood Cells and Elephant, the latter featuring their most commercially successful song "Seven Nation Army" which won the 2004 Grammy Award for Best Rock Song. The White Stripes are known for their raw low fidelity sound and the simplicity of their compositions and arrangements mostly inspired by indie rock, American blues and country music.

Contents

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Biography

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The Beginning (White Stripes and De Stijl albums)

Image:White Stripes - Early Career.jpg The White Stripes (Megan Martha White , drums, vocals; and Jack White, guitar, piano, lead vocals) were formed in Detroit in 1997, specifically Bastille Day (see 1997 in music). While they bill themselves as brother and sister,<ref name=DFP>McCollum, Brian (2003). "A definitive oral history: Revealing The White Stripes". Detroit Free Press (accessed April 12, 2006)</ref> media coverage has suggested they are in fact a divorced couple. <ref name=divorce>"White Stripes [sic] Divorce Certificate". Glorious Noise (accessed April 12, 2006)</ref>

They decided to give this name to their band because drummer Meg loves peppermint candies. For several years they were a struggling local band, despite touring with Pavement and Sleater-Kinney. During this time, they released singles on various independent record labels including Sympathy for the Record Industry, the label for their first three albums.

Jack has described their eponymous debut album (released in 1999), as "...really angry...the most raw, the most powerful, and the most Detroit-sounding record we've made."

Their second release, De Stijl (2000), was named after the minimalist Dutch art movement which they cited as a source for the approach to their music and to their image. For a brief period before De Stijl was released, Jack studied fine arts at the College for Creative Studies in Detroit, although he never graduated.

The album cover features a sample of De Stijl art in the band's signature colors - red, white and black, according to Jack, "the most powerful color combination of all time, from a Coca-Cola can to a Nazi banner". Those colors are also found in the duo's distinctive wardrobe and on every cover of their first five records. It is somewhat unclear why they chose those colors. In some interviews, the group has said that the colors red and white are from peppermint candy (representing childhood innocence) and the color black represents the equilibrium of the number three. Jack has also said that the colors are based on toys for infants, claiming that the colors red, white, and black are used in toys for newborns (because they are slightly colorblind when born). Even before forming the band, Jack was focused on a three color scheme. When he worked as an upholsterer, all his tools, his van, and his uniform were white, black, and yellow.

The number three also has a significance for this band, not only for their tri-colored uniforms but their three instruments: vocals, guitar and drums, although Jack plays organ and piano in the first four albums and marimba in much of the fifth. In some Stripes' album artwork, emphasis is put on the number three; even the letter "E" is considered a reversed three. Texts written by Jack featured in album booklets or on the White Stripes official website are often signed with "III" or "Jack White III."

For live shows, the band does not rehearse or have a set list, Jack improvises frequently and often cuts a song short to jump into another

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Rising Popularity (White Blood Cells and Elephant albums)

Image:The White Stripes - Elephant.jpg The White Stripes enjoyed their first significant success during 2001 with the release of their first major label album White Blood Cells (initially released on Sympathy for the Record Industry, the album was re-released on V2 Records in 2002). The stripped-down, garage rock sound drew critical acclaim in the UK, soon spreading to the United States and becoming one of the more hyped bands of 2002. In 2002, Q magazine named The White Stripes as one of the "50 Bands to See Before You Die". The Lego-themed video, directed by Michel Gondry for the single "Fell in Love with a Girl" off White Blood Cells, brought them wider attention.

According to Jack, every album since White Blood Cells is the same in that the first songs have been singles and the last songs have been tongue-in-cheek, inside joke songs between Jack and Meg.

Their follow-up, entitled Elephant, was released on April 1, 2003, again to widespread critical acclaim and even more commercial success. Elephant became The White Stripes' first UK chart-topper and US Top 10 album. On February 8, 2004 the song "Seven Nation Army" won a Grammy for Best Rock Song, and the album Elephant won for Best Alternative Music Album. It was recorded with Liam Watson at Toe Rag Studios, London. Every instrument used to record the album was older than both band members. "The Hardest Button to Button" proved to be another popular single off of the album, as was the cover of "I Just Don't Know What to Do With Myself", originally by Burt Bacharach. The release of Elephant continued a formula for White Stripes albums begun with White Blood Cells: the first song is a single, the sleeve contains odd photographs of the band members (dominated by red, black and white) together with a strange essay contributed by Jack, and the last song is moderately tongue-in-cheek.

In 2003, Jack and Meg White appeared in Jim Jarmusch's film, Coffee and Cigarettes in a segment entitled "Jack Shows Meg His Tesla Coil". Also in August of that year, Rolling Stone Magazine included Jack White on a special cover of The 100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time issue at number 17.

Released in 2004, the Under Blackpool Lights DVD has a special treat for fans who collect their bootlegs: it contains every major live cover that the band played during the 2003-2004 tours, approximately a dozen songs. Jack White alerted fans to secrets within the film on his site postings, one of which was sure to be the writing on his arm. Recorded over two nights' shows, this writing says NOXIOUS which changes to OBNOXIOUS at certain points when film from a different night is used. The film features a cover of Dolly Parton song's Jolene.

Jack has also enjoyed some success as a producer, helping launch the careers of fellow Detroit rock bands The Von Bondies, The Soledad Brothers, and Brendan Benson. Jack also produced and contributed to Loretta Lynn's highly acclaimed 2004 album Van Lear Rose. His work on this album won him and Loretta a Grammy award for the track "Portland Oregon".

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Current Events (Get Behind Me Satan album and beyond)

Image:The White Stripes.jpgOn June 1, 2005 Jack and model Karen Elson were married during the band's tour of South America. The ceremony took place abord a canoe on the Amazon River in a native celebration and the couple is currently expecting their first child. The band's manager Ian Montone was the best man and Meg was the maid of honor. The White Stripes website claimed that "this was the first marriage for both newlyweds", despite documentation showing that Jack and Meg were once married.<ref name=glonomarriage>White Stripes [sic] Marriage License.Glorious Noise (accessed April 12, 2006)</ref>

A fifth album, Get Behind Me Satan, was released in North America on June 7, 2005 and has garnered critical acclaim. So far three singles have been released from the album, the first being "Blue Orchid", which was a popular song on satellite radio and occasionally FM stations. White's new spouse appears in the video for the song. The second single was "My Doorbell". The third single, "The Denial Twist", featured a video by Michel Gondry which documented, in typically bizarre White Stripes fashion, the band's week-long appearance on Late Night with Conan O’Brien.

In 2005 Rolling Stone magazine said: "If you happen to be a rock band, and you don't happen to be either of the White Stripes, it so sucks to be you right now."<ref name=RS>Sheffield, Rob (2005). "Get Behind Me Satan". Rolling Stone (accessed April 12, 2006)</ref>

The band released a cover version of Tegan and Sara's song "Walking with a Ghost" on iTunes November 14, 2005. The song was later released on December 7th as the Walking With a Ghost EP featuring four other live tracks.

On December 1, 2005, the group appeared on The Daily Show with Jon Stewart, performing both "The Denial Twist" and "My Doorbell". The White Stripes is one of the few bands to perform on the show (on an earlier show, the group Tenacious D had performed a song after their interview).

The White Stripes postponed the Japan leg of their world tour after Jack damaged his vocal cords. Doctors recommended that Jack not sing or talk for 2 weeks. Since then he has recovered and played in Auckland, New Zealand for the start of the Big Day Out tour.

At the 2006 Grammy Awards, The White Stripes won in Best Alternative Music Album category for Get Behind Me Satan, and they were nominated for Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal for the song "My Doorbell".

The Stripes have been tapped to appear in an upcoming episode of "The Simpsons" , scheduled to air sometime this fall. In the episode, titled "Jazzy and the Pussycats," Jack and Meg White find themselves in the middle of a family feud when Homer and Marge buy a drum kit for Bart, who becomes a jazz drummer, much to the dismay of his musically inclined sister, Lisa. In one scene — an homage to the Stripes' clip for "The Hardest Button to Button," Bart bashes his kit in his bedroom, down the street, through the halls of Springfield Elementary and into an intersection, where he meets up with the Detroit duo.

According to a spokesperson for FOX, Jack and Meg recorded their lines in New York City on November 30, before Jack lost his voice and was ordered by doctors not to speak. The episode isn't expected to air until season 18.

A dispute has arisen in March 2006 with British musician Billy Childish whom Jack previously admired—he appeared on Top of the Pops with Childish's name written on his arm. Childish criticised White in the US GQ magazine, "They don't have a good sound ... Jack's half into the sound and music, but then he wants to be a pop star as well, so you've got a big problem." White responded on the Stripes' website, accusing Childish of plagiarism and of being "the bitter garage rocker." Childish wrote an open letter to the NME saying White was jealous because he had "a bigger collection of hats, a better moustache ... and a fully developed sense of humour."."<ref name=Billy>(2006). "Billy Childish hits back at Jack White" NME (accessed April 13, 2006)</ref> The Aquarium Gallery in London brought out a spoof boxing poster advertising Jack "whingy" White v Billy "bitter" Childish. Lawyers acting for the White Stripes removed the poster from eBay and have written to the gallery, claiming the poster violates their intellectual property rights. <ref name=childish>Adams, Guy (2006). "A Childish spat: 'Whingy' White calls in the lawyers". The Independent - Online edition (accessed April 12, 2006)</ref>

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Music

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Instruments and equipment

Image:Bigdayout whitestripes.jpg Jack is the lead singer, with Meg singing mostly backing vocals. She sings lead vocals on three of the band's songs, "In the Cold, Cold Night", from Elephant, "Passive Manipulation", from Get Behind Me Satan, and "Who's a Big Baby?" released on the "Blue Orchid" single.

Jack uses a number of effects to create his live sound, most notably a Digitech whammy pedal to create the rapid modulations in pitch he uses in his solos. The guitars he uses live are two 1964 JB Hutto Montgomery Airlines, a Harmony Rocket, a 1970's Crestwood Astral II, and a 1950's Kay Hollowbody. In concert with A Boss CS-3 Compressor/Sustainer and Electro-Harmonix Big Muff Distortion/Sustainer, White can produce a very distinctive sound. He also uses a MXR Micro Amp and a Boss TU-2 Tuner Pedal.

He plugs this setup into a 1970's Fender Twin Reverb and two 100-Watt Sears Silvertone 6x10 combo amplifiers.

White also produces a "fake" bass tone by playing the Kay Hollowbody guitar through an octave divider for a very thick, low, rumbling sound, which he uses most notably on the song Seven Nation Army.

Jack White is known to use GHS strings for his guitars, but the gauge is unknown. Also, in recent concerts, his main Airline guitar has had tuning problems, usually becoming out of tune during concerts. At one concert, Jack is quoted to have said: "I'm sure the back of your tickets say 'Guitars will be tuned!'. He has also shouted out: "E A D G B E !" mid-concert while tuning his Airline.

He also plays other string instruments such as a black F-Style Gibson Mandolin, Rhodes Bass Keys, and a Steinway piano.

Jack plays marimba on "The Nurse" and "Forever For Her (Is Over For Me)".

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Covers

Jack White composes the White Stripes' music, with the exception of covers. In an interview, Jack White said that hearing the a cappella song "Grinning in Your Face" by American bluesman Son House "was a transformative moment". The band has covered Son House's songs, including "John The Revelator" and "Death Letter". Through LP and singles, they cover other American blues artists such as Blind Willie McTell ("Lord, Send Me an Angel", "Your Southern Can Is Mine") and Robert Johnson ("Stop Breaking Down")

The band also plays many covers of Bob Dylan songs ("One More Cup Of Coffee", "Black Jack Davey", "Isis", "Love Sick", "Outlaw Blues"). Jack White said that Dylan covers are mostly proposed by Meg, who is a huge fan of his music.

The Stripes also cover Dolly Parton's "Jolene", which was released as a single in 2004.

Party of Special Things to Do, a single released in 2000, features three covers of songs by Captain Beefheart: "Party Of Special Things To Do", "China Pig", and "Ashtray Heart".

Recently they have covered Canadian indie rock duo Tegan and Sara's "Walking with a Ghost."

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Lyrics

Interpersonal relationships, especially between men and women, are the main theme of the lyrics of the White Stripes songs. Jack White does not really write about politics. However, The Big Three Killed My Baby, could be considered as a political song because the lyrics are an attack on the automotive industry's poor workmanship and the fall of the major labor unions of the 1960s to 1980s. Also, in an altered version of the song played on stage, Jack sings: "and Bush's hands are turning red…and I found out your baby is dead."

Many of The White Stripes songs refers to school and childhood (Sister, Do You Know My Name?, We're Going to Be Friends, I Think I Smell a Rat, Black Math, The Hardest Button to Button).

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Discography

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Albums

Year Album US UK
1999 The White Stripes - -
2000 De Stijl - -
2001 White Blood Cells 61 58
2003 Elephant 6 1
2005 Get Behind Me Satan 3 3
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EPs

Year EP US UK
2000 Party Of Special Things To Do - -
2005 Walking With a Ghost - -
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Singles

Year Song Chart positions Album
US Hot 100 US Modern Rock US Main- stream Rock UK singles
1998 "Let's Shake Hands" - - - - -
"Lafayette Blues" - - - - -
1999 "The Big Three Killed My Baby" - - - - The White Stripes
"Hand Springs" - - - - -
2000 "Hello Operator" - - - - De Stijl
"Lord, Send Me an Angel" - - - - -
"Party of Special Things to Do" - - - - -
2001 "Hotel Yorba" - - - 26 White Blood Cells
2002 "Fell in Love with a Girl" 121 12 - 21 White Blood Cells
"Dead Leaves and the Dirty Ground" - 19 - 25 White Blood Cells
"We're Going to Be Friends" - - - - White Blood Cells
"Red Death at 6:14" - - - - Sympathetic Sounds of Detroit
"Candy Cane Children" - - - - -
2003 "Seven Nation Army" 76 1 12 7 Elephant
"I Just Don't Know What to Do With Myself" - 25 - 13 Elephant
"The Hardest Button to Button" - 8 - 23 Elephant
2004 "There's No Home for You Here" - - - - Elephant
"Jolene (Live)" - - - 16 Under Blackpool Lights
2005 "Blue Orchid" 43 7 32 9 Get Behind Me Satan
"My Doorbell" 116 13 - 10 Get Behind Me Satan
"The Denial Twist" - 5 - 10 Get Behind Me Satan
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DVDs

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Awards

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Samples

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Notes

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References

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See also

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External links


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