Hailing from Missoula, MT, The Decemberists' main songwriter, Colin Meloy, once belonged to mid-'90s alt-country band Tarkio, which parted ways after two well-received, but poorly sold albums. Like Tarkio, The Decemberists - who took their name from both the Decemberist Revolt and the month - saw their first two albums kept commercially at bay while delighting indie kids the world round. 2002's Castaways And Cutouts and the 2003 follow up, Her Majesty The Decemberists, hint at the songwriting strength which was to follow on their 2005 breakthrough LP, Picaresque, which not only won the band a loyal fan base, but a major label deal with Capitol Records. They still remain affiliated with their previous label, Kill Rock Stars, which in 2006 released Omnibus, a collection of both Tarkio's LPs.