These boys from Baltimore are no bandwagon band. They’ve been around since 2001 and have established themselves as local post punk revivalists from the very beginning. As commercially successful Brit pop sensations like Franz Ferdinand began popping up across the Atlantic, Two If By Sea was making a name for themselves here at home. But home is more than just Baltimore, and they’ve set up a virtual DC residency, frequenting venues such as DC9 and the Blackcat.

This past October they released their sophomore album, Safety, a follow-up to 2004’s Translations, encompassing the energy of their live shows with moody dance tracks and the subdued intensity in Cris Cowan’s vocals. Last week we stopped by DC9 as they headlined a show on the final night of the Six Points Music Festival. It was a bit of a thin crowd, perhaps hesitant to enter due to the ominous police tape that surrounded the street corner. But those in attendance sprung up and looked eagerly to the stage as the band took their turn. Together they play like clockwork, Cole’s tight drumming, Jorde’s thumping bass and Hardy’s raging guitar with hair whipping over gritted teeth.

They have a professional sound worthy of much more, whether it be in or outside the beltway or beyond. They may not be District natives, but DCist welcomes them as one of our own.

Visit them at: Myspace.com/2ifbysea

Buy their album at: Amazon.com

See them next: May 10th @ Iota Club and Cafe, $8, 9 p.m.

Questions for Two If By Sea:

How did you guys meet and establish your sound?

Three of us have known each other for the better part of ten years. I went to college with John; the band started with the two of us playing with a drum machine in my apartment in 2001. We met Cris through a CityPaper ad (no lie), and later began surreptitious rehearsals in the television studio at UMBC. We did a rough demo & started playing gigs in April of 2002. Our sound has kind-of changed over the years. Our earlier material was a bit more frantic…we had a keyboard player for a few years. We’re a four-piece now, and there’s more breathing room in the music.

What makes Two If By Sea unique?

The height requirement. At just over six feet, David is the shortest member of the band!

What’s your favorite venue and why?

In DC – Black Cat. Everyone there is nice & very pro. Soundsystem is the best.

In Bmore – Ottobar will always be our first love. Our first “really good” gig was there. We opened for Q and not U. Wow… that was a while back.

What was your experience like with the 6 Points Music Festival this year?

It wasn’t very “festival” like… but we played with some fine bands. Someone got stabbed outside of DC9, and it kind-of set the tone for the evening. Danger, Will Robinson…

What were some highlights of your tour last fall?

Too many to count. Equipment malfunctioning in Chicago, driving through the wastelands of Montana listening to RATT, Packed all-ages show in Idaho Falls, Cris getting to see his sister in Portland, playing with Margot & the Nuclear So & So’s (also in Portland), a crazy soundguy on ecstacy & various other drugs in Fresno, hanging-out with friends in LA, wine tasting in Sonoma Valley, redwood forest in norcal & painted desert in New Mexico…

Why “Safety” and what’s your favorite track on the album?

In the modern world, the concept of safety has become something abstract and fragile, and we wanted to explore that a bit. We gravitate towards the newer material on the record: All the Reasons to Leave, and High Water Mark are two favorites. Bonus Trivia: The “castle-like” building on the cover photo is the Baltimore Penitentiary, which is a sort of connotative translation of the title.

What was the last CD you bought or downloaded?

Cris – just bought the new Shins record(vinyl) "Wincing the
Night Away."

John – a bunch of random records at Goodwill the other day.

Chas – I haven't bought any in a very long time.

David - the latest from The Shins, Idlewild, & Pela in the last week.

How would you compare the band today to 5 years ago? How have you grown and what have you learned?

We’ve seen ourselves grow-up over the past five years. We’ve watched our relationships with others form and fall-apart. We’ve realized that we’re each others best friends, aside from being bandmates. We’re a little older, hopefully wiser, and a bit more worn. We’ve learned that the reason we’re still around is that we NEED music as part of our lives; we’re not trying to be the next biggest thing. Witnessed a lot of other bands form & breakup. We’ve met a bunch of inspiring people & put a lot of miles on the van.

What are some of your favorite local bands in DC and/or Baltimore?

In the District: we’d have to say The Hard Tomorrows, Cedars, Soft Complex, Washington Social Club, Georgie James, & Telograph, to name a few.

In Bodymore: The Oranges Band, Lake Trout, Celebration, Lo Moda, The Heavycoats, Thrushes, Beach House, Arbouretum, and Squaaks are all great examples of Charm City’s finest.

How would you describe the Baltimore music scene?

Diverse. There are so many scenes happening and so many bands within them. Right now, the warehouse/experimental music scene is kind-of blowing up & a lot of the bands that have associations with that scene are getting exposure. The nature of the environment here is a bit more nurturing (in terms of playing music) than DC. It’s a bit easier to find rehearsal space, bandmates, and plenty of relatively cheap housing available. Sometimes the music scene here can be bumpy & unpredictable, but it makes it more interesting. It seems like everyone is in at least 3 bands at any given time. It’s a little rough around the edges & we like it that way…

Photo courtesy of Two If By Sea