Death Cab For Cutie is a popular indie rock band fronted by Ben Gibbard. The band formed in Washington state in 1997 and it's other members include drummer Jason McGerr, bassist Nick Harmer, and guitarist Chris Walla. The band's name is said to be a reference to a song in the Beatles film Magical Mystery Tour. Ben Gibbard's first demo got him signed to the independent record label Barsuk Records, and he decided to expand his project to a full band, Death Cab For Cutie. The band remained on Barsuk Records until 2004 when they made the leap to a major label: Atlantic Records. So far they have released five EPs and six albums. The EPs are titled The Forbidden Love, The Stability, Studio X Sessions, The John Byrd EP, and The Open Door EP. The band's albums are titled Something About Airplanes, We Have The Facts And We're Voting Yes, The Photo Album, Transatlanticism, Plans, and Narrow Stairs.
The band has always had a decent indie following, but started to gain major mainstream popularity when some of their songs were featured on the soundtracks of The O.C., Six Feet Under, CSI: Miami, Californication, and Wedding Crashers.
During their time as a band, some members of Death Cab For Cutie have worked on various side projects including All-Time Quarterback, Martin Youth Auxiliary, The Revolutionary Hydra, Dntel, The Long Winters, and arguably the most popular side project The Postal Service.
For more in depth information on Death Cab For Cutie check out these sites:
Death Cab For Cutie - The band's official website
Barsuk Records - Deathcab For Cutie's first record label
Atlantic Records - the label's official site for Death Cab For Cutie
Sub Pop Records - The Postal Service's record label
Ben Gibbard - Death Cab For Cutie frontman's official site
The Postal Service - the official site for the Death Cab For Cutie side project
Dntel - the official site for the Death Cab For Cutie side project
The Long Winters - the official site for the Death Cab For Cutie side project
Up From The Indie World - NPR story on Death Cab For Cutie
DCFC Union Local #1138 - The official Death Cab For Cutie fan club