Guster’s career began in 1991 as an acoustic trio called Gus when the three co-founders met as freshmen at Tufts University. For most of the 90s they toured the college circuit and released independent albums. Among the quirky characteristics of the band – they used hand percussion in place of drums.
In 1999 the band, now called Guster, had a breakthrough with their first hit single Fa Fa and for the following album introduced a drum set. 2003’s Keep It Together pushed the band further towards a more lush sound by adding an additional multi-instrument band member. The record also broke into the top 40 and the band also released a parody version of the album. The Meowstro Sings: Guster’s Keep It Together replaced the vocals on the original with simulated cat meows.
Humor plays a big part in Guster’s live show. Sometimes they will open shows themselves, masquerading as another band. Other traditions from their live shows include the audience throwing ping pong balls at the stage, a reference to the audio from a ping pong game which can be heard at the end of the song Airport Song.
Guster’s latest hit single Overexcited added a new twist for the band – a fake accent. Vocalist Ryan Miller says that “It wasn’t this methodical thing. To be totally honest, I kind of got bored of singing in my own voice,” Miller continues “It almost ended up being like a novelty, but we listen to the Madness song ‘Our House’ a ton and that’s like one of the greatest pop songs ever.”
With the legendary U.K. group’s 1982 smash as a guide, Guster figured, “why not do everything Madness would’ve done and put horns and strings on the end?” The result “comes across as free spirited and inspired. It was fun to do.”
