OUT100: The Drums

Photography by JUCO | Retouching by Anna Glen at Wet Noodle

The Moment: September 21, 1987: Pet Shop Boys release their album Actually.

The Drums' third album, Encyclopedia, was a milestone for founding members Jonny Pierce (left) and Jacob Graham (right). Released in September, it marked the first time the Brooklyn-based indie rockers (and childhood friends) performed as a duo rather than a quartet, and the first time they began using the pronoun him when singing about relationships -- a big step they admit they weren't comfortable taking until now. Meanwhile, the standout track "Let Me" tackles the recent rash of violence against LGBT youth in Russia, its searing lyrics ("They might hate you, but I love you / And they can go kill themselves") serving as one of their most rousing anti-establishment statements yet. "It's meant to be a song of encouragement for those kids," Pierce says. "We were fortunate enough to play the first show of our Encyclopedia world tour in Moscow, and we opened the set with it. It really affected me."

Photographed at ACME Studio, Brooklyn on July 22, 2014

Styling by Michael Cook. Groomer: Angela DiCarlo. Suit, Shirt, and Bow tie by Calvin Klein Collection (Pierce). Suit by Burberry London. Shirt by Louis Vuitton. Bow tie by Calvin Klein (Graham)

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