The War on Drugs have had 12 official members since the band formed in Philadelphia in 2005. The current line-up is Adam Granduciel, David Hartley, Robbie Bennett, Charlie Hall, Jon Natchez, Anthony LaMarca and Eliza Hardy Jones. Former members are Kurt Vile, who co-founded the band, and the drummers Kyle Lloyd, Mike Zanghi, Steven Urgo and Patrick Berkery.
Granduciel started the band with Kurt Vile after moving to Philadelphia from Oakland, California, and he has been its only constant member. The War on Drugs released their debut album, Wagonwheel Blues, in 2008, and their fourth album, A Deeper Understanding (2017), won the Grammy Award for Best Rock Album. Here is every member, what they play and when they were in the band.
Adam Granduciel – Lead Vocals, Lead Guitar, Harmonica, Keyboards (2005–present)
Adam Granduciel is the band’s founder, frontman and primary songwriter. He moved to Philadelphia in 2003, where he met Kurt Vile, and the two began playing as The War on Drugs in 2005. Besides lead vocals and lead guitar, he plays harmonica, keyboards and sampler.
David Hartley – Bass, Rhythm Guitar, Backing Vocals (2005–present)
David Hartley has played bass since the band’s first year. Along with Granduciel, he is one of the two members who have been with The War on Drugs since 2005.
Robbie Bennett – Keyboards, Piano, Rhythm Guitar (2010–present)
Robbie Bennett joined in 2010 and plays keyboards, piano and rhythm guitar. His arrival came during the period around the band’s second album, Slave Ambient (2011).
Charlie Hall – Drums (2013–present)
Charlie Hall first played organ with the band in 2008. A previous collaborator, he became the full-time drummer in 2013, during the recording of Lost in the Dream.
Jon Natchez – Saxophone, Keyboards (2014–present)
Saxophonist Jon Natchez joined in 2014 for the world tour that followed Lost in the Dream. He also plays keyboards.
Anthony LaMarca – Rhythm Guitar, Keyboards, Backing Vocals (2014–present)
Anthony LaMarca joined at the same time as Natchez, in 2014, as an additional guitarist for the Lost in the Dream tour, and he stayed on as a full member.
Eliza Hardy Jones – Keyboards, Acoustic Guitar, Percussion, Backing Vocals (2021–present)
Eliza Hardy Jones is the most recent addition, joining in 2021, the year the band released its fifth album, I Don’t Live Here Anymore.
Kurt Vile – Rhythm Guitar, Keyboards, Backing Vocals (2005–2009)
Kurt Vile co-founded The War on Drugs with Granduciel and played on Wagonwheel Blues. He left shortly after its release to focus on his solo career with his own band, the Violators.
Kyle Lloyd – Drums (2008)
Kyle Lloyd played drums with the band in 2008.
Mike Zanghi – Drums, Percussion, Sampler (2008–2010)
Mike Zanghi was the drummer from 2008 to 2010, covering the period after the debut album.
Steven Urgo – Drums, Percussion, Sampler (2010–2012)
Steven Urgo held the drum seat from 2010 to 2012, around the release and touring of Slave Ambient.
Patrick Berkery – Drums, Percussion (2012–2013)
Patrick Berkery drummed for the band from 2012 to 2013, before Charlie Hall took over full time.
The War on Drugs Line-Up at a Glance
| Member | Role | Years |
|---|---|---|
| Adam Granduciel | Lead vocals, lead guitar | 2005–present |
| David Hartley | Bass | 2005–present |
| Robbie Bennett | Keyboards | 2010–present |
| Charlie Hall | Drums | 2013–present |
| Jon Natchez | Saxophone, keyboards | 2014–present |
| Anthony LaMarca | Rhythm guitar | 2014–present |
| Eliza Hardy Jones | Keyboards, percussion | 2021–present |
| Kurt Vile | Rhythm guitar | 2005–2009 |
| Kyle Lloyd | Drums | 2008 |
| Mike Zanghi | Drums | 2008–2010 |
| Steven Urgo | Drums | 2010–2012 |
| Patrick Berkery | Drums | 2012–2013 |
You can also browse the complete member line-ups of The Mamas and the Papas and The Statler Brothers.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Who founded The War on Drugs? Adam Granduciel and Kurt Vile, who began playing together under the name in 2005 in Philadelphia.
- Was Kurt Vile in The War on Drugs? Yes. He was a founding member and left after the debut album, Wagonwheel Blues (2008), to concentrate on his solo career.
- How many members are in The War on Drugs now? Seven: Granduciel, Hartley, Bennett, Hall, Natchez, LaMarca and Hardy Jones.
- Which War on Drugs album won a Grammy? A Deeper Understanding (2017), released on Atlantic Records, won Best Rock Album.
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