Bats & Mice

Bats & Mice draws its members from Milemarker, the Rah Bras, and Men's Recovery Project. Such a background might imply abrasive rock, yet the band produces propulsive music rooted in hardcore and angular punk while centering on pop song structures and melody. The resulting sound blends elements of understated groups like Death Cab for Cutie with noisier melodic ensembles like Cursive.

Three Sleepytime Trio veterans launched the project in Richmond, VA. Following the self-titled debut EP, one founding member departed for other pursuits. David Nesmith and Ben Davis then added Four Hundred Years' Daron Hollowell and Ash Bruce. Lovitt Records released the first full-length, Believe It Mammals, in 2002. The album features haunting vocals from three of the four members over crisp percussion and intense guitar work, with deliveries ranging from dreamy to towering. Hollowell and Bruce exited to concentrate on Delegate, after which Luke Herbst took over drums. The A Person Carrying a Handmade Paper Bag Is Considered as a Royal Person EP arrived in 2004. Herbst left that year to join Totimoshi, restoring the original lineup when Jonathan Fuller returned on drums.