Hi...I'm Jeffrey from the western suburbs of Chicago. I've been a fan since the "Sad Songs..." record, and first saw the band in Milwaukee when they opened for the Pernice Brothers. I first heard about the band on the radio show "sound opinions..." The 2 moderators were arguing over what was the best new band they had heard recently, and they kept talking about the National. These 2 guys don't usually like much of anything, but they both liked the National....so I checked them out.... I've been hooked ever since.

jeffrey

You and me both, oddly enough.

That was a really good show too...

jeffrey

Hello, my name is Jordan... I'm 26, about to turn 27 and just completed a master's degree in English at King's College London last fall and am now back living in the states. Sad to say that I got into the National really late, when I first saw the "Mistaken for Strangers" video, I just sat there thinking, Is this as good as I think it is? I honestly felt like I hadn't heard anything that good in 10 years. I listened to the song for what must have been 40 or 50 times over the next few days and then bought Alligator, and then bought Boxer late Monday night when it became available through iTunes. I haven't stopped listening to them at all in that time. That hasn't happened to me in a long, long time, and I recently had almost lost all interest in newer rock music. I keep trying to tell my friends how good the band is and in fact everyone I've talked to in the past week, I'm surprised most people haven't heard of them or don't react when I tell them! It reminds me of listening to Nick Drake pre-Volkswagen commercial, when people just kind of looked at you blankly when you mentioned his name.
The other music I listen to is Nick Cave and Bob Dylan--I'm going to see Arcade Fire play tonight which should be really good.
Anyway just wanted to introduce myself-- best wishes--
Jordan

Hi. My name's Elliot, I'm a 17-year-old student from Jersey, Channel Islands, UK. A friend of mine made me a copy of Boxer around the time it leaked. I'd heard a lot about it on another forum, but was a bit underwhelmed first time around. I kind of forgot about it but, for one reason or another, went back to it one night and gave it a proper listen, and I was just absolutely stunned. Since then, I picked up the previous three records and I've just been listening to them non-stop. I certainly hope to catch them live in the future, as I've grown to count them amongst my favourite bands, along with Radiohead, Sigur Rós, Bloc Party, Of Montreal, Kings of Leon and A Silver Mt. Zion.
So, hello!

Hi, I'm Neil from Aberdeen, Scotland. I've liked the National since I bought Alligator in late 2005 on the recommendation of a friend (who han't actually heard it himself). Of course I subsequenly bought all of their albums and Cherry Tree, and Boxer could well be my favourite. My other favourite albums of the year so far are the Arcade Fire and Patrick Wolf albums.

Hey, I'm Ethan from DC/New Hampshire. I first heard of The National through a best of 2005 mix I downloaded through a blog and Karen and Abel were both on it. After that I bought the special edition of Alligator about 6 months ago and then just recently Boxer. I just saw the band open for Arcade Fire in DC and the show was amazing even though half of the crowd didn't know who this band was and at least 1/2 of the seats were empty. Now I have to work backwards through their records and see them headline on the current tour. Glad to join the message board.

Hi, I'm Joe from Cheshire in England. I'm 18 and a college student just about to embark on a gap year once my exams have finished.

I've been into The National ever since they released Alligator which I fell in love with. Then I went and found everything else and they're now easily in my top 5 bands. Decided to join the messageboard because I found myself here most days and wanted to start talking about them. I've also joined the community on Livejournal but it's nowhere near as active as this one.

Love loads of different music from rock to dance to country but this year I've been into American indie rock more than anything. Yo La Tengo, Band of Horses, Clap Your Hands Say Yeah and, of course, The National have received a lot of listening. Guess you can get some idea of my music taste from www.last.fm/user/Joejoe_a_mojo

Anyway, hello! looking forward to chatting with you guys

I'm Kyle. I come from Detroit, but now reside in DC (or rather close). I started listening to the National around the time of Alligator and have wanted to see them live for some time. I went a few weeks ago and was more excited to them than Arcade Fire.

Hi, my name is Sharon and I just well may be the oldest person in these forums, at 48 and counting! My musical taste is eclectic - I love my old seventies British art rock bands like Genesis w/Peter Gabriel and the very American Todd Rundgren who is in a category all his own, but I'm always looking for good new music, since it doesn't get played on the radio. Another fortysomething friend who is hip to new music turned me on to The National via Alligator and I've been addicted ever since. Would love to connect with some other fans when the band comes to LA June 26th!

I'm V from Brighton via New York, 38 year old female. First saw TN in N.Y. in 04'; had never heard before, actually attended to hear Pernice Brothers. By the second or so song, Matt and co made me come to attention; I remember the lyrics " pour yourself anther drink before you start to bore us" and thought how cruel and and funny! I've been hooked ever since. (We didn't even bother to stay around for the Pernice Brothers- didn't seem to be much point.) My only problem with The National is that they inspire me to drink copious amounts of liquor and to behave disgracefully; then there all the interior monologues that I have to reckon with! Am I too old for this? Anyway, they were stellar in Berlin last week...

Hey all. 25 male from Brisbane Australia here!
I came across this great band on the arcade fire forum. Everyone on there raved about The National during their supporting role, so i decided to check them out. Started with The Alligator about a month ago, and havent stopped listening to it.
I got Boxer today and cant wait to sit down and get into it. All the talk on here has me excited!

Im John...live in NYC. See lots of music. The National is pretty much my favorite band alongside Wilco and Radiohead.

Like a few of the others, I first saw the band (by accident) when they opened for the Pernice Brothers several years ago--I was really impressed with the energy and the great guitar sound of the band. I have tried to catch them ever since if I have been in town.

Glad to be part of the message board. Nice work!

ehh

edit: awful intro