Eclectic and experimental, Dallas lo-fi indie rockers Climate is primarily influenced by arty post-punk and avant-garde rock, but throw in touches of whatever else happens to cross their path: pop, jazz, electronic, and straight-up rock & roll. Climate was formed in 1997 by friends Nathan Beach and Grant Kuneman, who recruited additional musicians as needed. Beginning with their 1998 debut for Special Friends Records, their output was prolific; that year alone, Climate released two EPs (Deaf Friends Club and All-Star Christmas) and another full-length, Live for Success! Climate slowed down a bit in 1999, issuing only the album Bred Mice, which was followed in 2000 by Observations on Friends and Friendships. After that release, Climate signed to Hot Link Records and assembled a backing unit of Bill Driegert (drums), Matt Lacomette (bass), and Darren Frayne (keyboards, trumpet); their first album for Hot Link was Swallow All Letters, which appeared in late 2000. ~ Steve Huey