(The) Harvey Danger Database

Dramatis personae throughout the band’s history.

Photo of Aaron Huffman [by Chuck Robertson]

Aaron Huffman [1992–2009]

Aaron was a founding member of Harvey Danger with Jeff Lin. His signature lead bass lines were a fundamental element of the band’s sound, and he designed much of their album art, gig posters, and merch. Aaron died in 2016 at the age of 43.

Played: Bass, guitar; backing vocals; keyboards; vibraphone on “Underground”; lead vocals on “We Drew the Maps”

Other music projects: Self-Help Seminar (with Ken Hunt); Tennessee Valley Authority (duo with Sean Nelson); The Downsound; The Silver Bells; Love Hotel; The Long Winters; The Weather

Photo of Jeff J. Lin [by Chuck Robertson]

Jeff J. Lin [1992–2009]

Jeff was a founding member of Harvey Danger with Aaron Huffman, and the band’s main guitarist. He was also responsible for string and horn arrangements, maintained the band’s website, and assembled and distributed the Unreleased Stuff CD-R from 2001–2003.

Played: Guitar, keyboards, violin, backing vocals; xylophone; cello on “Save It for Later”; theremin on “Show Me the Hero”

Other music projects: Peter Parker

Photo of Sean Nelson [by Bob Berg]

Sean Nelson [1993–2009]

Sean was the lyricist and lead vocalist of Harvey Danger.

Played: Lead vocals; harmonies and backing vocals; keyboards; tambourine

Other music projects: two solo albums; Tennessee Valley Authority (duo with Aaron Huffman); Sean Nelson and His Mortal Enemies (with Steve Fisk, Rob Knop, Chris Walla, et al.); Society of the Golden West (with John Goodmanson and Steve Fisk); The Long Winters (with John Roderick); Sounds Major (duo with Kyle O’Quin); The Vernacular (trio with Chris Walla and Nathan Good); Robyn Hitchcock; Death Cab for Cutie; The Decemberists; Nada Surf; The Minus 5

Photo of Evan Sult [by Chuck Robertson]

Evan Sult [1993–2001]

Evan was the first long-term drummer of Harvey Danger. Evan was unable to join HD’s 2004 reunion because he’d moved to Chicago; the band continued with Michael Welke on drums (and Evan’s blessing).

Played: Drums; backing vocals; tambourine; sleigh bells on “Sometimes You Have to Work on Christmas”

Other music projects: Pezzonovante; The Gardenias; This Busy Monster; Bound Stems; Sleepy Kitty

Michael Welke [2004–2009]

Michael was Harvey Danger’s second (and final) long-term drummer. He played on Little By Little… and toured with the band until their final shows in August 2009.

Played: Drums

Rob Knop [2005–2009]

Rob toured and recorded with the second incarnation of Harvey Danger, notably in the 2006 Avast! sessions and on The Final Recording.

Played: Keyboards

Other music projects: Sean Nelson and His Mortal Enemies; Novatone; Diana Moves

Ira Elliot [2004]

Ira was the interim drummer for Harvey Danger when they first reunited. He participated in the band’s 2004 demo sessions, and appears on the b-side “I Missed It.” Ira was replaced by Michael Welke in the summer of 2004.

Played: Drums

Other music projects: The Fuzztones; Nada Surf

Mike Squires [2000–2001]

Mike joined Harvey Danger as an additional live guitarist for their 2000 tour, and participated in their 2001 demo recording sessions.

Played: Guitar

Other music projects: Eat the Feeling; Compass; Suttree; Marc Olsen; Bunny; Nevada Bachelors; The Long Winters; Alien Crime Syndicate

John Roderick [2000–2006]

John was recruited by HD as a touring keyboard player in the fall of 2000. He filled in on bass for the band’s October 2000 appearance on The Late Late Show with Craig Kilborn when Aaron fell ill, and went on to play guitar and keys in the 2001 demo sessions.

Played: Keyboards, backing vocals, guitar, bass on “We Drew the Maps”

Other music projects: Western State Hurricanes; The Long Winters

Ken Hunt [1992]

Ken was the original drummer for Harvey Danger, having volunteered to accompany Aaron and Jeff a few months after they formed the band. He left in late ’92 or early ’93 to focus on his own band, Self-Help Seminar (in which Aaron also played bass). Ken died in 2005 at the age of 34.

Played: Drums

Other music projects: Self-Help Seminar; Toast; Unplanned Pregnancy; Mayor Daley

Dan Fineman [1992–1993]

Dan was HD’s second drummer, replacing Ken Hunt. Dan played until late 1993, when he was replaced by his housemate, Evan Sult.

Played: Drums

Photo of John Goodmanson [by Jeff J. Lin]

John Goodmanson [1996–2009]

John was the “George Martin” of Harvey Danger.10A He recorded and produced the vast majority of the band’s work, from their 1996 demo tape to The Final Recording.

Played: Drum loops and programming; synthesizer on “Pity and Fear”; bass on “Sometimes You Have to Work on Christmas (Sometimes)”

Other music projects: Sleater-Kinney; Wolf Parade; Los Campesinos; Brandi Carlisle; Death Cab for Cutie; Sleeping at Last; Owl City; Nada Surf; Blonde Redhead; Weezer; Train; Hot Hot Heat; Bikini Kill; Wu-Tang Clan; The Von Bondies; Hanson; The Long Winters; Soundgarden; Pavement; Low; Sepultura; Blondie; Hazel; The Posies; and many, many more.

Chuck Robertson [???]

Chuck was the photographer for many of HD’s promo photos and album images. He took the original house photo for the cover of Where Have All the Merrymakers Gone?

Steve Fisk [???]

Steve is a long-time colleague of John Goodmanson and co-produced much of Harvey Danger’s later work.