The Pains of Being Pure at Heart

History

Formation and early years (2007–2012)

Kip Berman, lead singer, guitarist, and principal songwriter, grew up in Philadelphia, but moved to Portland, Oregon, where he lived for several years. Berman played in numerous bands during that time. After finishing his college degree at Reed College, he moved to New York City, where he met Alex Naidus. The two bonded over their adoration for music, and their similar upbringing. Bands such as Smashing Pumpkins, The Field Mice, Black Tambourine, and Nirvana helped to establish the two as friends. Soon after, the trio played at the birthday party of friend and bandmate Peggy Wang. According to the musicians, they played "five songs in ten minutes, and the song names were longer than the songs". Using a backing track as a drummer, half of this setlist helped formulate the debut album. It was their first show, and they played alongside the bands The Manhattan Love Suicides and Titus Andronicus.

In late 2007, the Pains started a MySpace page to showcase their songs. Berman noted that at the time, the band name was all the group had. The name comes from the title of an unpublished children's story by Charles Augustus Steen III (a friend of Berman's), which revolves around "realising what matters most in life – things like friendship and having a good time". The trio began working on numerous tracks. Songs such as "Contender", "Come Saturday", and "This Love Is Fucking Right!" would stay band favorites, winding up on the 2009 album The Pains of Being Pure at Heart. Other tracks, such as "Orchard of My Eye", would be released on their first EP. It was at the time of their MySpace uploads that attention was being drawn to the act. Prominent music websites, such as Pitchfork and Stereogum, kept tabs on The Pains of Being Pure at Heart. The latter named them a "Band to Watch" in 2007.

After numerous shows around New York, the trio recruited Berman's roommate Kurt Feldman as drummer. After playing more shows, both in and outside of the US the band recorded their inaugural LP. Their first self-released EP came out in 2007 on Painbow, a label created by the band. Their debut self-titled full-length album was released on February 3, 2009, via Slumberland Records, a favorite label of the band's. The album peaked at number nine on the Billboard Heatseekers chart. In 2009, they released Higher Than the Stars, their second EP.

The band's second album, entitled Belong, was released in 2011. It was produced by Flood and mixed by Alan Moulder. It represented their commercial peak, reaching number 92 on the Billboard 200. It also charted worldwide, reaching the top 100 in Belgium, France, the United Kingdom, and Spain. Like the debut, it also received a glowing "Best New Music" review from Pitchfork.

Later years and disbandment (2013–2019)

Following Belong, the band saw major lineup shifts leaving Berman as the sole remaining member. In 2012, guitarist Christoph Hochheim left after the album's tour cycle. In 2013, keyboardist/vocalist Peggy Wang quit to focus on her job at BuzzFeed and her upcoming cookbook. After recording his parts for the upcoming album, bassist Alex Naidus also left in 2013 to work at BuzzFeed. Feldman left to focus on producing and engineering work.

The group moved to New York-based label Yebo Music for the third effort, Days of Abandon, released in May 2014. It featured Kelly Pratt on horns and Jen Goma of A Sunny Day in Glasgow on backing vocals. As a live band, the Pains featured bassist Jacob Sloan, keyboardist Jessica Weiss, guest vocalist Goma, and the return of Hochheim on guitar, alongside his brother Anton on drums.

Their fourth album, The Echo of Pleasure, was released on September 1, 2017, and self-distributed by the band.

The group recorded a full album cover of Tom Petty's 1989 album Full Moon Fever for subscription-based label Turntable Kitchen, released in November 2018. On November 4, 2019, Berman announced that he had disbanded the project. He described feeling disconnected from the music he was writing after The Echo of Pleasure. In addition, he had relocated to New Jersey and became a father, suggesting the band was a "distinct moment" in his life that had passed. The band's final show before breaking up was on April 26, 2018, at a birthday party for Stereogum founder Scott Lapatine.

Berman has continued making music under the moniker the Natvral.

Reformation (2024–present)

On August 16, 2024, the band announced that they would reform to celebrate the 15-year-anniversary of their debut album by touring Spain and Portugal in February 2025. The lineup for the tour included all of the original members, except Naidus who was replaced by the Natvral's member Eddy Marshall. The tour was expanded later that year to North America and the UK, with Naidus returning to the band and Feldman being replaced by Brian Alvarez.

In February 2025, Slumberland Records released Perfect Right Now: A Slumberland Collection 2008-2010, a compilation of the band's non-album outtake songs from their debut era. On February 17, 2025, the band played their first show in seven years and the first with Wang and Feldman since 2012. It took place in New York and was announced as a last-minute surprise.

Members

Current

• Kip Berman – vocals, guitar (2007–2019, 2024–present)
• Peggy Wang – keyboards, vocals (2007–2013, 2024–present)
• Alex Naidus – bass (2007–2013, 2025–present)
• Christoph Hochheim – guitar (2009–2019, 2024–present)
• Brian Alvarez - drums (touring) (2025–present)

Inactive

• Kurt Feldman – drums (2007–2013, 2024–present)

Former

• Eddy Marshall – bass
• Anton Hochheim – drums
• Chris Schackerman – drums
• Connor Hanwick – guitar
• Jacob Sloan – bass, vocals
• Jess Krichelle Rojas – vocals, keyboard
• Elspeth Vance – vocals
• Jen Goma – vocals, keyboard
• Jess Weiss – vocals, keyboard
• Drew Citron – keyboard

Discography

Albums

Studio albums

Compilation albums

EPs

Singles

As lead artist

Split singles

• The Pains of Being Pure at Heart/The Parallelograms, split 7-inch with The Parallelograms (Atomic Beat, 2008)
• Searching for the Now Volume 4, split 7-inch with Summer Cats (Slumberland, 2008)

Notes

References

Bibliography

• Wong, Martin (2009). "Growing Pains". Giant Robot Magazine, issue 61.

References

1. (4 November 2019). "The Pains of Being Pure at Heart Break Up".
2. (August 16, 2024). "The Pains Of Being Pure At Heart Announce 15th-Anniversary Reunion Shows".
3. "Interview: The Pains of Being Pure at Heart (w/ Kip, Peggy, Alex) - Aural States".
4. "The Agit Reader • Feature: The Pains of Being Pure at Heart".
5. McGovern, Kyle. (2014-06-12). "Young Adult Friction: The Pains of Being Pure at Heart's Rebirth".
6. "The Pains of Being Pure at Heart : Interview".
7. "The Wikipedia Files: The Pains of Being Pure at Heart on Chicago Public Radio Blog, July 21, 2009".
8. "Teen Confusion: An Interview with the Pains of Being Pure at Heart | the Tripwire".
9. (2007-08-21). "Band To Watch: The Pains Of Being Pure At Heart".
10. "Interview the Pains of Being Pure at Heart".
11. "Dusted Reviews: The Pains of Being Pure at Heart - The Pains of Being Pure at Heart".
12. (10 December 2008). "Quit Your Day Job: The Pains Of Being Pure At Heart".
13. [{{BillboardURLbyName
14. "Spoonfed Interview".
15. Cohen, Ian. "The Pains of Being Pure at Heart: Belong".
16. "The Pains Of Being Pure At Heart to release third album in 2014".
17. The Pains. (11 June 2017). ""The Echo of Pleasure" release date is now September 1 2017. But, new single tomorrow...".
18. (2025-02-18). "Pains Of Being Pure At Heart Play Surprise First Show In Eight Years: Watch".
19. Hussey, Allison. (2021-02-02). "The Pains of Being Pure at Heart's Kip Berman Announces Album, Shares New Song".
20. Bialas, Michael. (2025-05-27). "The Pains of Being Pure at Heart Are Beating Again".
21. "The Pains of Being Pure at Heart's 'Perfect Right Now' Is a Wistful Postcard from the Past".
22. Pearis, Bill. "The Pains of Being Pure at Heart played their debut LP in full + more at surprise first show in 7 years (setlist, video)".
23. (28 February 2014). "Q&A: The Pains of Being Pure at Heart's Kip Berman on Days of Abandon, the Band's New Lineup, and the Folly of Double Vinyl".
24. "Pains of Being Pure of Heart - Billboard".
25. "Pains of Being Pure of Heart - Top Rock Albums".
26. "Discografie The Pains of Being Pure of Heart". Hung Medien.
27. "The Pains of Being Pure of Heart albums". [[Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique]] / Lescharts.
28. "The Pains of Being Pure at Heart - Artist - Billboard Japan". Billboard Japan.
29. "Discography Pains of Being Pure atHeart".
30. Zywietz, Tobias. "Chart Log UK: 2011".
31. "The Pains of Being Pure at Heart songs and albums - full Official Chart history". [[Official Charts Company]].
32. "Pains of Being Pure of Heart - Heatseekers Albums".
33. "Pains of Being Pure at Heart to Cover Tom Petty's Entire 'Full Moon Fever'".
34. "Everything with You – Single by The Pains of Being Pure At Heart". [[Apple Music]].
35. "Kurt Cobain's Cardigan – Single by The Pains of Being Pure At Heart". [[Apple Music]].
36. "Young Adult Friction – Single by The Pains of Being Pure At Heart". [[Apple Music]].
37. "Come Saturday – Single by The Pains of Being Pure At Heart". [[Apple Music]].
38. (May 14, 2010). "The Pains Of Being Pure At Heart - "Higher Than The Stars" Video & "Lost Saint" Stream". Stereogum.
39. (May 6, 2010). "Hear the New Pains of Being Pure at Heart Single "Say No to Love"". Pitchfork.
40. Cohen, Ian. (November 11, 2010). "'Heart in Your Heartbreak' by The Pains of Being Pure at Heart".
41. Dombal, Ryan. (February 8, 2011). "'Belong' by The Pains of Being Pure at Heart".
42. Van Nguyen, Dean. (December 12, 2011). "The Pains of Being Pure At Heart: The Body (Single)".
43. (September 7, 2012). "The Pains of Being Pure at Heart Cover the Magnetic Fields' "Jeremy" on New Single". Pitchfork.
44. "Simple and Sure – Single by The Pains of Being Pure At Heart". [[Apple Music]].
45. (April 15, 2014). "The Pains Of Being Pure At Heart - "Eurydice"". Stereogum.
46. (May 14, 2014). "The Pains Of Being Pure At Heart - "Until The Sun Explodes" Video". Stereogum.
47. (September 18, 2014). "The Pains of Being Pure at Heart Share "Poison Touch" From Days of Abandon Deluxe Edition". Pitchfork.
48. (October 23, 2014). "The Pains Of Being Pure At Heart - "Kelly" Video". Stereogum.
49. (October 22, 2015). "The Pains Of Being Pure At Heart - "Laid" (James Cover)". Stereogum.
50. (December 28, 2015). "The Pains Of Being Pure At Heart – “Hell"". Stereogum.
51. (November 23, 2015). "The Pains Of Being Pure At Heart - "China" (Tori Amos Cover)". Stereogum.
52. (May 15, 2017). "The Pains Of Being Pure At Heart – “Anymore"". Stereogum.
53. (June 12, 2017). "The Pains Of Being Pure At Heart - "When I Dance With You"". Stereogum.
54. (August 17, 2017). "The Pains Of Being Pure At Heart – “My Only"". Stereogum.
55. (September 20, 2017). "The Pains Of Being Pure At Heart – “So True" Video". Stereogum.
56. (October 2, 2018). "The Pains Of Being Pure At Heart – “Runnin’ Down A Dream” (Tom Petty Cover)". Stereogum.
57. (October 30, 2018). "The Pains Of Being Pure At Heart – “Free Fallin'” (Tom Petty Cover)". Stereogum.
58. (4 June 2020). "Hatchie & The Pains Of Being Pure At Heart – "Sometimes Always" (The Jesus And Mary Chain Cover)".