Biography
Kate Eldridge’s guitar pyrotechnics and fiercely abrasive singing anchored Big Eyes, a band that began life blending punk-pop melodies with garage-rock attitude on its earliest releases, notably the 2011 debut album Hard Life. Shifting personnel and base cities gradually steered the group toward twin-guitar interplay modeled on 1970s acts such as Thin Lizzy, so that by the 2019 release Streets of the Lost the sound had evolved into a contemporary take on mid-1970s album-oriented rock.
After her groups Cheeky and Used Kids disbanded, Eldridge launched Big Eyes in Brooklyn during 2009, recruiting bassist Mark Bronzino, formerly of Kicking Spit and Seasick, and drummer C.J. Frederick. The following summer the trio issued a demo 7-inch and cassette; December brought the Why Can’t I 7-inch on Don Giovanni Records. Their initial nationwide tour commenced in early 2011, coinciding with the spring arrival of a self-titled EP. Hard Life appeared that summer on Don Giovanni, after which the band moved to Seattle, parted ways with Bronzino, and enlisted Keith Spencer for touring bass work.
Almost Famous, the 2013 follow-up, introduced yet another configuration featuring bassist Chris Costalupes and drummer Dillan Lazzareschi. Eldridge relocated back to New York City in 2014 and assembled a quartet edition that added guitarist and backing vocalist Paul Ridenour, bassist Malcolm Donaldson, and drummer Griffin Harrison. This lineup recorded the third album, Stake My Claim, issued by Don Giovanni Records in August 2016. Following an extensive tour alongside Joyce Manor, the band entered a Cincinnati studio with producers John Hoffman and Jerome Westerkamp to track their fourth record; by then Scott McPherson had replaced Harrison on drums and Jeff Ridenour, Paul’s brother, had taken over bass. Greenway Records, the Brooklyn imprint, released Streets of the Lost in early 2019, sharpening the quartet’s aggressive hard-rock attack into a polished, broadcast-friendly form.
After her groups Cheeky and Used Kids disbanded, Eldridge launched Big Eyes in Brooklyn during 2009, recruiting bassist Mark Bronzino, formerly of Kicking Spit and Seasick, and drummer C.J. Frederick. The following summer the trio issued a demo 7-inch and cassette; December brought the Why Can’t I 7-inch on Don Giovanni Records. Their initial nationwide tour commenced in early 2011, coinciding with the spring arrival of a self-titled EP. Hard Life appeared that summer on Don Giovanni, after which the band moved to Seattle, parted ways with Bronzino, and enlisted Keith Spencer for touring bass work.
Almost Famous, the 2013 follow-up, introduced yet another configuration featuring bassist Chris Costalupes and drummer Dillan Lazzareschi. Eldridge relocated back to New York City in 2014 and assembled a quartet edition that added guitarist and backing vocalist Paul Ridenour, bassist Malcolm Donaldson, and drummer Griffin Harrison. This lineup recorded the third album, Stake My Claim, issued by Don Giovanni Records in August 2016. Following an extensive tour alongside Joyce Manor, the band entered a Cincinnati studio with producers John Hoffman and Jerome Westerkamp to track their fourth record; by then Scott McPherson had replaced Harrison on drums and Jeff Ridenour, Paul’s brother, had taken over bass. Greenway Records, the Brooklyn imprint, released Streets of the Lost in early 2019, sharpening the quartet’s aggressive hard-rock attack into a polished, broadcast-friendly form.
Albums
Singles
