The Bye Bye Blackbirds

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The Bye Bye Blackbirds are an Oakland, California–based indie rock and power‑pop band led by guitarist and vocalist Bradley Skaught. They formed in 2005 after Skaught and fellow guitarist Ian Robertson left their earlier group Belle Da Gama. Named after the 1926 jazz standard Bye Bye Blackbird, the band set out to keep things simple: strong songs, clear harmonies, and classic guitar sounds.

Original members included Lenny Gill on drums and William Duke on bass. The group’s debut release was Honeymoon, a seven‑song EP produced by Bill Swan in 2006. Critics compared the music to late‑70s power pop with echoes of the Beatles and Badfinger. Skaught has since called Honeymoon a bit awkward in retrospect, though it served as a clear statement of the band’s direction.

In 2008, they issued Apology Accepted (an EP) and their first full‑length album, Houses and Homes, both on the American Dust label. Reviews praised the album’s Beatles‑like pop energy and thoughtful lyrics, with some tracks exploring more atmospheric sounds.

Before 2011’s Fixed Hearts, bassist William Duke left the band, and Aaron Rubin joined as the new bass player with producer Paul Tyler. The album’s title nods to drummer Lenny Gill’s heart surgery, and its songs center on heartbreak and renewal. The release showed a more confident, hook‑driven indie‑pop style.

We Need the Rain followed in 2013, produced mainly by Paul Tyler with two tracks by KC Bowman. It marked Ian Robertson’s final contributions with the band before he departed to form Black Butterfly Gang. The album was well received by critics and appeared on some year‑end lists.

Take Out the Poison arrived in 2017. The recording process reflected ongoing lineup changes, featuring three different drummers. The album includes three duet vocal spots and two tracks with strings arranged by Mark Clifford. The lead single, Duet, had a music video shot in San Francisco.

Boxer At Rest came out in 2020, recorded largely in Oakland with a new round of players. It features drummer Jozef Becker, a return of Lenny Gill as lead guitarist, and horn arrangements by Bill Swan. Harmony vocals are provided prominently by Kelly Atkins and KC Bowman. Critics praised its ambitious range and strong songwriting.

August Lightning Complex was released in 2022, continuing the band’s prolific output as a self‑released project.

Discography highlights
- Honeymoon (2006) — EP
- Apology Accepted (2008) — EP
- Houses and Homes (2008) — studio album
- Fixed Hearts (2011) — studio album
- We Need the Rain (2013) — studio album
- Take Out the Poison (2017) — studio album
- Boxer At Rest (2020) — studio album
- August Lightning Complex (2022) — studio album
- Plus various singles and collaborations, including a 2014 Dr. Frank & The Bye Bye Blackbirds 7" and a 2015 digital single

Known for jangly guitar pop, catchy harmonies, and a willingness to explore different styles within indie rock and power pop, The Bye Bye Blackbirds have established themselves as a notable Bay Area band with a distinctive, optimistic sound.