The Envy Corps
From Rofflehaus
The Envy Corps are an indie-rock quartet from Ames and one of the most successful bands from the area. The band are known for their vast atmospheric sound, attracting comparisons to Radiohead, Aqualung, the Verve, Coldplay and Doves. Its members are Brandon Darner (guitar), Luke Pettipoole (vocals, guitar, piano) and brothers David (bass, synthesizer) and Scott Yoshimura (drums).
The Envy Corps was formed in October 2001 by Luke Pettipoole, who was quickly joined by David Yoshimura in early 2002. The band stayed close to home and featured many lineup changes, with Pool (in 2002 changing his surname to Pettipoole) and Yoshimura the only constant members. In 2004 after the release of their debut, Soviet Reunion, Yoshimura switched to bass guitar, his brother, Scott, took position behind the drumkit and former To My Surprise frontman Brandon Darner was conscripted as new lead guitarist.
The band spent 2005 working feverishly on their most recent offering, "I Will Write You Love Letters If You Tell Me To" (EP), which was self-released in April 2006. The album garnered them lavish press and an extended stay on the CMJ Top 200 chart, as well as an opening slot for Las Vegas band The Killers on their fall US tour. Based on the success of the EP, the band signed with the Mercury Records imprint Vertigo and are currently at work on their major label debut.
