Those of you who have known me for some time probably know that my favorite band is and has been Harvey Danger for quite some time. Sean Nelson is a brilliant writer and lyricist, supported by talented musicians, creating the sort of intelligent and melodic music that I particularly enjoy. This is to say nothing of the fact that he has an amazing voice and their live shows are never anything short of spectacular. (This blog derives its title from a Harvey Danger song.) Unfortunately, the band has announced the dates for their farewell tour, which, while I hope to be able to purchase a plane ticket to see one of their last shows, I’m certainly not relying on. I’m sad to see them go, but I certainly reaped the benefits of being a local fan, and I’m thankful for that. I hope you will indulge me while I reminisce.

I wasn’t a lifelong fan, though I, like many others, knew Flagpole Sitta well before I knew anything about the band (thanks to Weird Al, in fact). I don’t even remember why I decided to search out their first album, Where Have All The Merrymakers Gone?, but I remember making the purchase at Moses Lake’s Hastings. I think one of my sister’s friends was into them, and I was a teen in high school looking to broaden my musical horizons. I know it was the first CD I ever purchased used, and I know that as soon as I listened I was hooked.

I’d heard their second album, King James Version, once or twice, but never seen it in stores. It was elusive. I didn’t have a copy, couldn’t find one, and my collection felt incomplete. My sister, seizing on an opportunity for which I am forever grateful, purchased a used copy when she saw one at the local music store. I only later learned that this is actually quite the rarity. It has remained a favorite.

Then, as I am given to do for bands that I have just gotten into, I looked up their website. I had done so once before, when I first purchased the album, but it, like the band, had long fallen inactive, bearing only promises of an eventual return. But by some coincidence I stumbled upon it just as they announced that the band was going to be playing a few reunion shows. No promises, no commitments. The reunion shows turned into the band getting back together, which turned into talk of a new album.

They released a track on their Myspace called Little Round Mirrors. When I first listened, I was struck by its beauty: a simple, piano-driven track which crescendos to an epic climax and conclusion, a story of someone whose only meaningful relationship is with her CD collection. I listened to it constantly. I made others listen to it. I was concerned that this was merely the best song off the new album, that the rest couldn’t hope to stand up to it, and would pale in comparison. I was, happily, wrong.

Little By Little… was released in September of 2005. I attended my first Harvey Danger show that night, at the Vera Project in Seattle: their all-ages CD release show. I think I have attended the majority of the shows I was legally allowed to attend since then. From a one-dollar charity show in Federal Way to the First and Second Annual Last Shows Ever, to the South Lake Union Block Party, to the 10th Anniversary Public Spectacle (which was amazing in so many ways), and many more besides. I never felt disappointed, or like I had seen this set before.

LBL was released as a free download on their website a week later, so naturally I have actually purchased the album twice. It was (as far as I’m aware, at any rate) one of the first of what has since been many bands offering music for free, believing that it can only help them out. (And I strongly recommend the album if you don’t have it. It’s free, it’s pretty, it’s beautifully written.)

I think there has been a sense that this was coming for a while now. At the First Annual Last Show Ever, the band played the entirety of Side 2 of Abbey Road. At the Second Annual Last Show Ever, they played the entirety of their first album. And then, that March (2008), they played, over a two-day public spectacle, their entire discography, and a night of b-sides and rarities, including a song they had never played live. I believe they did a few shows since then, but there was a sense that they couldn’t top that without some new material, and I think the fans and the band alike suspected that, while this might not be their swan song, it was probably getting close.

Few artists of any variety have connected with me on the same level as Harvey Danger. So I’m sorry to see them go, but I certainly wish them all the best. So in the event you’re reading this, sirs:

Thanks for the music. It has been a great pleasure. I hope I’ll be there to see you out, and best of luck in all your future endeavors. I’m sure you will be doing awesome things, whatever else happens.