Brooklyn's Parts & Labor create a boisterous delivery of electric guitars, sparse electronics, and rackety vocals. The experimental/noise rock collective came together in 2002 with keyboardist Dan Friel and bassist B.J. Warshaw. Friel and Warshaw originally met three years prior while the two were working at the Knitting Factory. Both had already played in various noise rock outfits before Parts & Labor, but it wasn't until the addition of drummer Jim Sykes that Parts & Labor finally felt like a solid band. They made their album debut with Groundswell in 2003. Once the band was ready to tour, Sykes left Parts & Labor to return to his native Chicago. Drummer Joel Saladino quickly stepped in, performing his first show just three days after joining the group. That same year, Parts & Labor also released Rise, Rise, Rise for Narnack. This experimental split release featured vocalist Tyondai Braxton and highlighted an elaborate, avant-garde spin on Parts & Labor's sound. In June 2004, Saladino left the band and formed Narchitect. Christopher R. Weingarten was named as his replacement, and a 7" release for Plastic followed in April 2005. Before recording their third album, Parts & Labor had already toured with the likes of TV on the Radio, Deerhoof, Melt Banana, Lightning Bolt, Enon, and Oneida. Friel and Warshaw also founded Cardboard Records, home to Pterodactyl, Big Bear, and Aa. Parts & Labor got back to their noise rock roots for Stay Afraid (2006), a roisterous first release for Jagjaguwar/Brah. ~ MacKenzie Wilson, All Music Guide