Protokoll

The stylish post-punk leanings of Protokoll stem from the combined efforts of Jose De Lara on vocals and guitar, Ben Greenspan handling guitar and synth, Daniel O'Neill on bass, and Reid Calkin at the drums. Emerging in 2004 from the remnants of several punk groups based in Boston, the band first took shape as a laptop synth dance endeavor involving Greenspan, De Lara, and O'Neill. Calkin's arrival the following year, coupled with inspirations drawn from acts such as Bauhaus, Daft Punk, Black Flag, and the Rapture, prompted them to commence work on their initial EP during that spring season. Impressed by the material, the British label Illicit Records released the tracks "Moving Forward" and "Holy Divine" together as a double A-sided single. That same summer saw the release of another single, the brooding dance track "DNR," coinciding with Protokoll's North American performances alongside the Rakes. Later in 2006, during the fall, I Heart Comix put out the Protokoll EP domestically in the United States.