Cold War Kids

The Profile

Cold War Kids are an American indie rock band formed in 2004 in Fullerton, California (later based in Long Beach). Led by Nathan Willett, they broke through with Robbers & Cowards and singles like Hang Me Up to Dry and First.

Californian quartet from Fullerton; frontman Nathan Willett; early sound blended indie rock, blues, folk, and soul; Robbers & Cowards (2006) includes We Used To Vacation and Hospital Beds; Mine Is Yours (2011) produced by Jacquire King and features tracks like Louder Than Ever, Royal Blue, and Finally Begin.

Two DeBaser reviews paint Cold War Kids as soulful indie-rock storytellers who later embrace a more polished, anthemic sound. Robbers & Cowards earns high praise for its stark narratives and piano-driven grit; Mine Is Yours marks a conscious, Jacquire King-produced bid for a wider audience. References to Fullerton roots, Nathan Willett’s emotive vocals, and standout tracks like Hospital Beds recur across both pieces.