The Joggers

The Joggers emerged from the fertile Portland, Oregon indie scene of the early 2000s, originally forming under the name Stateside. Their sound is a sophisticated blend of math rock and indie pop, characterized by the intricate guitar work of Ben Whitesides and his rotating second guitarists.

Eschewing the traditional lead/rhythm dynamic, the band employs a dual-guitar approach based on scale exploration and call-and-response patterns. Their career is marked by two primary full-lengths on Startime International, 'Solid Guild' (2003) and 'With a Cape and a Cane' (2005), the latter seeing the band transition to a trio before expanding again. Culturally, they represent the 'smart-rock' wing of the 2000s indie boom, sharing DNA with the angularity of Dischord Records acts and the melodic sensibilities of New York post-punk. Critically, they were lauded for maintaining pop accessibility despite their technical complexity. The band's influence is felt in the Pacific Northwest's lineage of rhythmically adventurous guitar bands.