What is the fate of Harvey Danger? This iconic band burst onto the scene in 1997 and 1998 with their breakout hit “Flagpole Sitta,” the lead single from their debut album Where Have All the Merrymakers Gone? However, despite their initial success, the journey for Harvey Danger has been fraught with challenges, leaving many fans wondering about the band’s subsequent path.

Discover the Origins and Evolution of Harvey Danger

Harvey Danger was established in 1992 in Seattle by bassist Aaron Huffman and guitarist-multi-instrumentalist Jeff J. Lin, both of whom were pursuing journalism degrees at the University of Washington. In their inaugural year, they welcomed drummer Evan Sult and vocalist Sean Nelson, forming the core lineup that would propel the band to its most significant achievements.

Their debut album, Where Have All the Merrymakers Gone?, caught the attention of Arena Rock Recording Company. With the increasing popularity of “Flagpole Sitta,” they signed a deal with Slash Records, which led to a reissue of the album in 1998, allowing the single to reach an even broader audience.

In 2001, Sult departed from the band, leading to Michael Welke stepping in as the new drummer. Additionally, in 2005, the group expanded by adding keyboardist Rob Knop to their lineup.

Unpacking the Cultural Impact of Their Smash Hit

“Flagpole Sitta” was recorded by Harvey Danger in June 1996. According to Sult, the track was crafted as a reaction to the Seattle music scene of the ’90s and its influence on contemporary culture.

In an interview with A.V. Club, Sult reflected on the song, stating, “[‘Flagpole Sitta’] captures some kind of zeitgeist experience. It authentically represents what it felt like to exist during that time, particularly in Seattle [when] where we wrote it. The track embodies both a critique of mainstream culture and alternative scenes, along with a desire to connect with something greater while grappling with skepticism and self-criticism.”

He continued, “The ‘bah-bahs’ symbolize the sheer joy of existence. It’s a mindset that resonates universally, more than I initially anticipated. The tune is both upbeat and savagely snarky at the same time.”

The title of the song draws inspiration from the 1930s Marx Brothers film Animal Crackers, where the comedic troupe references the 1920s trend of pole-sitting. In this act, individuals would balance themselves atop a platform attached to a flagpole, showcasing their endurance.

An interesting historical note is that Bill Penfield from Strawberry Point, Iowa set a record by remaining on his flagpole for an astonishing 51 days and 20 hours, ultimately ending his endurance challenge due to a thunderstorm.

Experience Harvey Danger’s “Flagpole Sitta”

READ MORE: The 75 Best Rock Songs of the 1990s

<pThe single soared to No. 3 on the Alternative Airplay chart and made its mark on Mainstream Rock radio, peaking at No. 33. In addition to its commercial success, the song featured prominently in the film American Pie and also appeared in a trailer for Disturbing Behavior.

Over the years, “Flagpole Sitta” has experienced a revival through its inclusion in the British sitcom Peep Show, its appearance in the soundtrack for Scooby-Doo 2: Monsters Unleashed, and even its feature in a Taco Bell advertisement campaign in 2024. Notably, the song has been covered by artists such as All-American Rejects and Kelly Clarkson.

“Flagpole Sitta” Featured in Taco Bell Ad

Exploring the Challenges Faced by Harvey Danger

Following the success of “Flagpole Sitta“, Harvey Danger encountered several hurdles. The band aimed to release “Carlotta Valdez” as their second single, but the label opted for “Private Helicopter” instead, which unfortunately did not resonate well with radio audiences.

This marked the onset of the band’s struggles with their label. After the second single failed to make an impact, the group began working on their follow-up album. However, the record that would evolve into King James Version faced numerous delays due to internal restructuring within the label, halting progress until the situation was resolved.

As a result of these challenges, the band had to withdraw from a planned tour with the Pretenders due to insufficient label backing. Efforts to release their music through Barsuk Records were complicated by legal disputes. Eventually, just over a year after completing their album, King James Version was finally released in 2000.

However, lacking substantial promotion from their label, the band faced disappointing results for their single “Sad Sweetheart of the Rodeo” and the overall sales of the album. Following the lackluster commercial performance and the conclusion of their tour, the band quietly disbanded in 2001.

Hear Harvey Danger’s “Sad Sweetheart of the Rodeo”

In the wake of their split, the members of the band pursued different musical paths, with some collaborating in new projects for several years before reconvening in 2004 to give their career another chance.

A five-track EP titled Sometimes You Have to Work on Christmas (Sometimes) was released in late 2004, paving the way for their third album, Little by Little, which came out in 2005. Recognizing the advancements in technology and the shifting landscape of the music industry, the band decided to offer the album as a free download through BitTorrent. In 2006, Kill Rock Stars took notice and re-released the album, allowing the group to hit the road again for their first national tour in five years.

Despite the seemingly positive revival of their career, Harvey Danger ultimately disbanded once more in 2009.

In their farewell statement, the band expressed, “After 15 years, three albums, hundreds of shows, and far more twists and turns than we ever imagined possible, we’ve decided to put Harvey Danger to rest. This decision is entirely mutual and completely amicable.”

Exploring Life After Harvey Danger: The Members’ Journeys

During his time with Harvey Danger, vocalist Sean Nelson maintained a parallel career in journalism. In 1996, he joined The Stranger, a prominent newspaper in Seattle, where he served as both editor and writer until 2018, when he relocated to Nashville, Tennessee.

Nelson has occasionally revisited his musical roots, releasing a covers album titled Nelson Sings Nilsson, featuring songs by Harry Nilsson in 2019.

Listen to Sean Nelson’s “Gotta Get Up”

Jeff J. Lin stepped away from the music industry to pursue a career as a tech entrepreneur. He established Memento 360, which utilizes 2D and VR technology to create immersive virtual tours, and co-founded Captricity, a company that leverages AI-powered automation to effectively manage data processing.

Following his departure from Harvey Danger, drummer Evan Sult initially moved to Chicago, where he joined the math rock band Bound Stems. He later relocated to New York, continuing his musical journey as part of the indie duo Sleepy Kitty.

During the band’s initial hiatus, Aaron Huffman formed the alternative rock group Love Hotel, which served as his musical outlet until Harvey Danger reunited for their third album. In later years, he collaborated with the indie rock band Weather and released the album Waters Electric.

Huffman maintained a close relationship with Sean Nelson and worked as an art director for The Stranger alongside him. Tragically, he passed away in 2016 at the age of 43 due to respiratory failure caused by cystic fibrosis.

In a heartfelt tribute published in The Stranger, Nelson reflected on Huffman’s legacy, stating, “Aaron dedicated so much of his life to creating music and art. While he appreciated when people enjoyed his work, what truly mattered to him was that his contributions became part of the fabric of the city. He drew essential energy from the rhythms and joys of Seattle, from the friendships he forged while walking its streets, tasting its food, experiencing its art, reading its comics, and listening to its music. The vibrant subcultural life of the early ’90s helped Aaron overcome his shyness and shaped him into the smart, funny, gentle, discerning artist, husband, and father he became.”

Regarding their “one-hit wonder” label, Nelson acknowledged the complexities of that reality. In an interview with Alternative Press in 2014, he mentioned, “It was incredibly challenging at the time; we took everything we did very seriously—perhaps even too seriously. However, we never viewed ‘Flagpole Sitta‘ as superior to any other song from our albums; each piece holds equal significance for us. If you think of songs like children, that’s the one who earned a full scholarship to Harvard, while the others are still learning to read. [Laughs]“

He continued, “I don’t require everyone to recognize the intricate tapestry of my work. [Laughs]] Yet, many people I interact with appreciate our entire discography, including our second and third albums, along with my solo projects. It’s just that the audience may not ever reach the millions. Pursuing that million-people dream isn’t fulfilling and simply isn’t our nature.”