Topic: Ben Gibbard

Benjamin Gibbard (August 11, 1976 in Bremerton, Washington) is an American musician known as a member of several successful indie bands. He is the lead singer of Death Cab for Cutie and The Postal Service, known for his project ¡All-Time Quarterback! and his first band, Pinwheel.

Gibbard spent his formative years in Bremerton, Washington during the time of the grunge musical explosion during the early 1990s. He graduated from Olympic High School in 1994. Growing up he was influenced by Elliott Smith, Nirvana, the Stone Roses, Superchunk, Built to Spill, Teenage Fanclub, The Pixies and Ultra Vivid Scene. He also cites Jack Kerouac as a major influence. He studied Engineering at Western Washington University. He was raised Roman Catholic and referred to himself as "this indoctrinated Catholic even though I haven't been to church of my own volition in 10 or 15 years now." He and his band Death Cab for Cutie are also known for their contributions to veganism and animal rights. However, in a 2003 interview Gibbard stated that while he had previously been a vegan, he had recently become a pescetarian.

It was recently announced that Gibbard will have a small role in a John Krasinski film entitled Brief Interviews with Hideous Men. Gibbard completed a solo tour through the US in the spring of 2007 which featured David Bazan of Pedro the Lion, and singer-songwriter Johnathan Rice. He currently resides in Los Angeles.