Pela

Pela has all the variables required for a successful indie-rock band these days: residency in Brooklyn; time spent busking and dive-bartending; a pedigree of (acknowledged) influences including Bruce Springsteen, Husker Du, the Pixies and the Replacements; and, of course, four dudes. But what sets these four dudes apart is their willingness to mix up the variables -- and their persistence. Singer/guitarist Billy McCarthy, bassist Eric Sanderson, guitarist Nate ("Natron") Martinez and drummer Tomislav Zovich are all working-class kids hailing from New York state and California who moved to New York City and took up a series of odd jobs to pay the bills while they got their musical careers off the ground: cater-waiter, a/v guy, Croatian wedding polka band. In the meantime, they also pursued college degrees and played in other bands before coming together as Pela in 2004. Gigs in "any room that would have them" and a couple EPs ensued, followed by their 2007 debut, Anytown Graffiti.