The Letter Openers
Los Angeles, California, United States | Established. Jan 01, 2001 | SELF
Music
Press
In the early 2000s, The Letter Openers were one of Los Angeles' most promising bands, slugging out hard-rocking riffs paired with smart, sarcastic lyrics and anti-pop choruses that were nonetheless rousingly anthemic. Singer-guitarist Mac Dunlop's self-lacerating lyrics positioned him as a legitimate counterpart to Alex Chilton and Paul Westerberg. “I don't wanna be a god, I don't wanna be a geek, I don't wanna walk around like any old freak,” he sang above the surging riffs of “Peppermint.” Then, just as quickly as they came out of nowhere, The Letter Openers disappeared without explanation, which makes this unexpected comeback a precious opportunity to rediscover this underrated group. They should be a good match with headliners Honeychain, as singer-guitarist Hillary Burton (The Pandoras) confides endearing power-pop songs like “Great Big World,” whose tuneful hooks are powered with a punk drive. Plus, Soraia and John Gregory. - LA Weekly
Discography
Albums
- All The Time Right Now (2005)
Singles
- "Can't Stop Calling You Back" (2019)
- "The Minute You Lie" (2019)
Photos
Bio
Mac Dunlop & Martin Ransbury formed a rock n roll band in Los Angeles, in the summer of 2001. Matt Peter joined in 2003 and they adopted the name The Letter Openers. For the next few years, they played all around LA. They were regulars in the Kiss or Kill scene and clubs like the echo, Spaceland, Safari Sam’s, Mr. T’s Bowl, the Kibitz Room, and The Viper Room. The LO’s released their LP All The Time Right Now, produced by Chad Bamford (Weezer/Spiritualized/ AFI), in 2005. In 2006, the band played SXSW and toured Alaska. Following a lineup change, they recorded a 2nd album in 2007, which remains unreleased. Rudderlessness & exhaustion caused the band to fray and eventually break up in 2008. In 2012 The Letter Openers were featured in a documentary titled In Heaven There Is No Beer, about the bands in the Kiss or Kill scene from 2002-2007. Mac & Martin reunited in 2018 to work on some new songs and decided to revive the band. Matt was soon back in the fold and Jon Rygiewicz joined on drums. In 2019 the band released 2 new singles and returned to playing shows in Los Angeles. The LA Weekly recently called The Letter Openers “…one of Los Angeles’ most promising bands” and Mac Dunlop “…a legitimate counterpart to Alex Chilton and Paul Westerberg.” The LO’s continue to play & record and will be touring in 2020.
Band Members
Links
