I Dont Know How But They Found Me

I Dont Know How But They Found Me, often shortened to IDKHow (stylized as iDKHOW),[1] is an American musical duo based in Salt Lake City, Utah and formed in 2016. The band consists of lead vocalist and bassist Dallon Weekes and drummer Ryan Seaman.[2] Before signing with Fearless Records, the duo was described as "the hottest unsigned band in the world" on the cover of Rock Sound in March 2018.[3][4]

I Dont Know How
But They Found Me
I Dont Know How But They Found Me performing in June 2018; Dallon Weekes (left) and Ryan Seaman (right)
Background information
OriginSalt Lake City, Utah, U.S.
Genres
Years active2016–present
Labels
Associated acts
Websiteidkhow.com
Members

History

Formation and secrecy (2016–2017)

Prior to the formation of the band, Dallon Weekes and Ryan Seaman were long-time friends who had worked together in the past. Seaman joined Weekes' former band the Brobecks in 2008 and performed drums for Weekes' solo projects, including the songs "Sickly Sweet Holidays" and "Please Don't Jump (It's Christmas)".[5][6][7]

Initially a solo effort, Weekes had been writing and recording songs while on the road with Panic! at the Disco for several years.[8][9] Seaman performed drums on the record, which led to Weekes proposing the idea to present it as a duo.[10]

As evidenced by old tweets and also Weekes confirming it in interviews, the "I Dont Know How But They Found Me" moniker and project idea had existed since 2009.[11][12] Uniquely, the punctuation of the band name is intentionally incorrect, with no apostrophe in "don't" and no comma after "how". Weekes credited it to his time in Panic! at the Disco, stating that "punctuation was a big deal [in the band], so I just wanted to take the opposite approach and get rid of it all."[13] The name of the band was inspired by a quote from the movie Back to the Future.[14]

Weekes and Seaman began secretly performing in small venues from late-2016 to mid-2017. They debuted at Emo Nite Los Angeles' 2-year anniversary event on December 6, 2016.[15] After the show, different sources wrote about a "new side project" by Weekes and Seaman, and confirmed the band name.[16][17] Even when confronted with photos and videos taken at the shows, Weekes and Seaman denied the whole project for months.[18] Weekes later stated that they did not want to exploit both his and Seaman's name recognition and association with the well-known bands they played in.[19] Seaman would depart his band Falling in Reverse in May 2017, followed by Weekes with Panic! at the Disco in December.[20]

Touring and 1981 Extended Play (2017–2020)

The duo teased the release of their first song "Modern Day Cain" one day prior with a post on their Instagram account.[21] On August 18, 2017 the full song was self-released on iTunes and Spotify and followed up with a music video on the same day.[22][23] The single reached number 8 of the Top 10 Alternative Music Charts on iTunes on the day of release.[24] The duo's second single "Choke" was released on October 26, 2017.[25] It was again self-published and accompanied by a lyric video.[26] The single peaked at number 7 of the iTunes Top 100 Alternative Music Charts. The band went on a few short tours between July and December 2017, playing shows in Utah, California and neighboring states, as well as one show in New York. They also performed as the opening act for The Aquabats[27] and Dashboard Confessional.[28] On March 14, 2018 they released the song "Nobody Likes The Opening Band" as a free download on their website accompanied with a music video.[29] On March 28, it was announced that the band would perform at the Reading and Leeds Festivals.[30]

On August 24, the duo re-released "Choke" alongside a new song titled "Do It All The Time" as a double A-side single via Fearless Records.[1] In October, the duo announced their debut EP titled 1981 Extended Play, with a release date of November 9.[31] Later that month, they released a single from the EP titled "Bleed Magic".[32] Upon its release, the EP topped the US Billboard Heatseekers chart.[33] In March, 2019, the duo announced "Night Heat", a headlining tour consisting of 17 stops across North America as well as music festivals from April 28th to May 18th with the band Superet supporting headlining dates.[34]

On April 26, 2019, the duo released the single "Choke (Acoustic)" which features a cabaret style version of their hit single.[35] The band also released a Christmas EP titled Christmas Drag on November 15, 2019, which includes a cover of "Merry Christmas Everybody". This was followed by three music videos, one for each song on the EP.

Razzmatazz (2020-present)

On August 5, 2020, the band released a lyric video for a new song called "Leave Me Alone" with the announcement of their debut album titled Razzmatazz, which is set to release on October 16, 2020.[36]

Tours
  • Content Tour (2018)
  • Entertainment Tour: North America (2018; as supporting act)[37]
  • Night Heat Tour (2019)[38]
  • Silversun Pickups Tour (2019; as supporting act)[39]

Musical style and influences

On its website the band describes itself as "...a band out of time. One who faded away into obscurity after struggling to find success in the late 70's and early 80's."[40] The duo's music, as well as their appearance and social media presence, is strongly influenced by the style of the 1980s; Weekes has stated that he draws inspiration from pop culture of these time periods.[41] Their style has been described as indie pop,[42] electronic rock,[43] new wave,[42] alternative,[42] and "electro pop rock,"[44] as well as a pop rock-influenced mix of "sixties garage, seventies glam, eighties new wave, and the early days of Britpop."[45] Weekes himself has described their musical style on Twitter as indie pop, "hipster nonsense," and "Glam Wham".[46]

Among others, Weekes has named Marc Bolan, David Bowie, Oingo Boingo, Elvis Costello, The Ink Spots and Joe Jackson as musical influences on the band's sound.[47][48]

Band members
  • Dallon Weekes – lead vocals, bass, guitar, keyboards (2016–present)
  • Ryan Seaman – drums, percussion, backing vocals (2016–present)

Discography

Studio Albums
Title Details
Razzmatazz

Extended Plays
Title Details
1981 Extended Play
Christmas Drag

Singles
Title Year Album
"Modern Day Cain" 2017 Non-album single
"Choke" 2017
(re-released in 2018 via Fearless Records)		 1981 Extended Play
"Nobody Likes The Opening Band" 2018 Razzmatazz[49]
"Do It All The Time" 1981 Extended Play
"Bleed Magic"
"Leave Me Alone"[52] 2020 Razzmatazz

References
  1. "IDKHow Have Signed to Fearless Records and Released a Brand New Song". Rock Sound. Retrieved 24 August 2018.
  2. "Interview: I Don't Know How But They Found Me". Don't Bore Us. 2017-09-04. Retrieved 2017-09-26.
  3. "IDKHBTFM: No Label. No Album. No Rules". Rock Sound. No. 238.1. March 2018.
  4. "No Label. No Album. No Rules. Welcome IDKHBTFM to Their First Ever Magazine Cover". Rock Sound. Retrieved 5 May 2018.
  5. Sharp, Tyler. "Panic! At The Disco, Falling In Reverse members team up for Christmas song". Alternative Press. Retrieved 5 January 2016.
  6. "Dallon Weekes: Sickly Sweet Holidays". Dallonweekes.bandcamp.com. Retrieved 12 January 2016.
  7. "Dallon Weekes – Please Don't Jump (It's Christmas)". Dallonweekes.bandcamp.com. Retrieved 14 December 2016.
  8. "Dallon Weekes: More IDKHow Music Is Coming "As Soon As Possible" - Features - Rock Sound Magazine". Rocksound.tv. Retrieved 2017-09-26.
  9. Riddell, Rose (2017-08-21). "Interview: I Don't Know How But They Found Me's Dallon Weekes on his upcoming album". Coup De Main Magazine. Retrieved 2018-02-11. ...the record came together on the backs of a lot of friends giving favours and an hour of studio time here, and three or four hours there.
  10. Riddell, Rose (2017-08-21). "Interview: I Don't Know How But They Found Me's Dallon Weekes on his upcoming album". Coup De Main Magazine. Retrieved 2017-09-26.
  11. Riddell, Rose (2017-08-21). "Interview: I Don't Know How But They Found Me's Dallon Weekes on his upcoming album". Coup De Main Magazine. Retrieved 2018-02-11.
  12. Weekes, Dallon (7 Jul 2009). "I Dont Know How But They Found Me". Twitter.com. Retrieved 2018-01-11.
  13. "I Dont Know How But They Found Me (IDKHow)". issuu. Retrieved 10 January 2020.
  14. Dickman, Maggie (2017-08-18). "P!ATD's Dallon Weekes debuts first song from new project, I Don't Know How But They Found Me". Altpress.com. Retrieved 2018-02-11. And, in case you were wondering, the name is inspired by a memorable line of dialogue taken from the classic film, Back To The Future.
  15. "Beyond The Stage Magazine - January 2018". Issuu. p. 41. Retrieved 2018-02-11. The band debuted at Emo Nite Los Angeles' 2-year anniversary party without much notice or information.
  16. Radio, idobi (6 December 2016). "2 familiar faces with a new side project sup Idk How But They Found Me?! @emonightlapic.twitter.com/kQjVh3iCJc". Twitter.com. Retrieved 2017-09-27.
  17. "Emo Nite's Two-Year Celebration at Echo/Echoplex in Los Angeles, CA". Musicconnection.com. Retrieved 2017-09-27.
  18. Riddell, Rose (2017-08-21). "Interview: I Don't Know How But They Found Me's Dallon Weekes on his upcoming album". Coup De Main Magazine. Retrieved 2018-02-11. I Don't Know How But They Found Me have already played a slew of secret shows, and up until a few weeks ago, had denied all existence of the band online.
  19. "First Look + Q&A: I Don't Know How But They Found Me Travels From The '80s To Release Debut Track & Video". Ones to Watch. Retrieved 2018-02-11. We knew if we going the standard route of a press release and a big announcement: “Hey come look at us,”–that there would already be a built in fan base, ready to come see. We didn't want to exploit that. We didn't want to take advantage of fans that way.
  20. "Bassist Dallon Weekes Leaves Panic! at the Disco: 'I'm Grateful for the Chance I've Had'". Billboard. Retrieved December 28, 2017.
  21. "IDK HOW BUT THEY FOUND ME on Instagram: "Tomorrow, on The Superstar Showcase."". Instagram.com. Retrieved 2018-02-11.
  22. I DON'T KNOW HOW BUT THEY FOUND ME (2017-08-18), I DONT KNOW HOW BUT THEY FOUND ME -Modern Day Cain, retrieved 2018-02-11
  23. "Dallon Weekes talks IDKHBTFM and addresses the Panic! At The Disco animosity rumors". Altpress.com. 2017-09-25. Retrieved 2018-02-11. On the same day of the song release, the official video was released...
  24. "Dallon Weekes talks IDKHBTFM and addresses the Panic! At The Disco animosity rumors". Altpress.com. 2017-09-25. Retrieved 2018-02-11. Their long-awaited official first single, “Modern Day Cain,” was released last month and rose up to No. 8 on the iTunes Alt Rock chart within just a few hours of release, beating out heavyweights Imagine Dragons and Fall Out Boy.
  25. "Amped! Music Magazine". Ampedzine.com. Archived from the original on 2018-08-28. Retrieved 2018-02-11. 'Choke' was released at midnight on October 26th and has since reached number 10 on the alternative charts...
  26. "I DONT KNOW HOW BUT THEY FOUND ME -Choke". YouTube. 2017-10-26. Retrieved 2018-02-11.
  27. "The Aquabats at Gothic Theatre (07 Oct 2017)". Songkick.com. Retrieved 2018-02-11.
  28. "Dashboard Confessional and I Don't Know How But They Found Me at The Complex (04 Dec 2017)". Songkic.comk. Retrieved 2018-02-11.
  29. "Hear IDKHBTFM's dreamy new song, "Nobody Likes The Opening Band"". Alternative Press. Retrieved 25 March 2018.
  30. "Mike Shinoda, The Used and 75+ More Acts Have Been Announced for Reading and Leeds Festival". Rocksound.tv. Retrieved 28 March 2018.
  31. Campbell, Rachel (October 12, 2018). "IDKhow unearth retro vibes in new music video—watch".
  32. Casteel, Beth (October 26, 2018). "IDKhow share another new song, "Bleed Magic" — Listen".
  33. "IDKHow's Debut EP Hits No.1 on the Billboard Heatseekers Chart". Rock Sound. Retrieved 23 November 2018.
  34. Shoemaker, Whitney (March 20, 2019). "iDKHOW announce Night Heat headlining tour dates". Altpress.com.
  35. "iDKHOW Shares Acoustic Version of 'Choke': Premier". Billboard.com. April 25, 2019. Retrieved 27 April 2019.
  36. "I DONT KNOW HOW BUT THEY FOUND ME - Leave Me Alone (Lyric Video)". youtube.com. 5 August 2020.
  37. "Waterparks Announce New Tour Dates With IDKHow - News - Rock Sound Magazine". Rocksound.tv. Retrieved 2018-09-14.
  38. "I DONT KNOW HOW BUT THEY FOUND ME (iDKHOW) ANNOUNCES "NIGHT HEAT," SPRING NORTH AMERICAN CONCERT TOUR". Musicnewsnet.com.
  39. Roberts, Christopher. "Silversun Pickups Announce New Summer Tour Dates". Undertheradarmag.com.
  40. "I Don't Know How But They Found Me". Idkhow.com. Retrieved 2018-02-11.
  41. "First Look + Q&A: I Don't Know How But They Found Me Travels From The '80s To Release Debut Track & Video / Ones to Watch". Ones to Watch.
  42. "Crítica: I Don't Know How But They Found Me – 1981 Extended Play". DOD Magazine. Retrieved 4 December 2018.
  43. "10 Unique Drum Performances That Totally Slayed". Alternative Press. Retrieved 4 December 2018.
  44. "IDKHBTFM Have Officially Signed to Fearless Records". The Noise. Retrieved 4 November 2018.
  45. "I Don't Know How But They Found Me Announce Debut EP '1981 Extended Play'". Hysteria Magazine. Retrieved 16 October 2018.
  46. "Dallon Weekes on Twitter". Twitter. Retrieved 28 February 2020. I dunno. Indie pop? Hipster nonsense? Glam Wham is probably the best one I've heard.
  47. "Beyond The Stage Magazine - January 2018". Issuu. p. 42. Retrieved 2018-02-11. Think classic 70s Bowie, Oingo Boingo and Elvis Costello, all of which Weekes sighted as big influences while making the record.
  48. Weekes, Dallon (18 Dec 2017). "Marc Bolan, Bowie, Oingo Boingo, Elvis Costello, The Ink Spots, Joe Jackson, lots of stuff!". Twitter.com. Retrieved 2018-02-11.
  49. "RAZZMATAZZ by I DONT KNOW HOW BUT THEY FOUND ME". Apple Music. August 5, 2020. Retrieved August 5, 2020.
  50. "1981 Extended Play by I DONT KNOW HOW BUT THEY FOUND ME". Apple Music. November 9, 2018. Retrieved June 21, 2020.
  51. "Christmas Drag by I DONT KNOW HOW BUT THEY FOUND ME". Apple Music. November 15, 2019. Retrieved June 21, 2020.
  52. "Alternative Future Releases". Allaccess.com. Retrieved July 31, 2020.
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