Entertainment, Music - Army Times

Fame catches up to The National

Men at work: The name The National calls to mind an obscure federal agency. But to the Brooklyn band’s fans, it’s a voice for disillusioned working professionals. Songs about self-doubt and insecurity have made the members critical darlings, with album “Boxer” landing on best-of-2007 lists in “Pitchfork,” “Spin” and “Rolling Stone.” (“Paste” named it album of the year.) They also have high-profile fans: Michael Stipe asked them to open for R.E.M. They’re on their own tour through Nov. 8.

Trek to success: Since third album “Alligator” (2005), the band has become something of indie-rock royalty. “It was really thanks to the blogosphere and people passing around MP3s,” frontman Matt Berninger says. But that’s not to say the guys haven’t paid their dues. “We played at this bar in the French countryside that was, until recently, a swingers’ club,” he says. “About 15 people showed up, and 10 of them were disappointed that there was no one to have sex with.”

On-the-job training: Before becoming The National, the band’s members held office jobs. Berninger, 37, wrote songs at his graphic-design job, tabbing between Photoshop and writing lyrics on Post-it notes. “The workplace gave me a lot of inspiration — the notion we’re sort of faking our way through adulthood,” Berninger says. “My dad was a lawyer for 40 years and still had panic attacks before going into court.”

Stoking the creative fires: Songs about the working world have made The National big enough that the band no longer needs day jobs. “That camaraderie at the office — talking at the water cooler, going to lunch — I miss that,” Berninger admits. He does think about going back to work, but fleetingly. “Realistically, would I set my alarm, go to the office and prepare for a presentation for clients? But I do freelance design work, and that takes my brain out of the rock-band universe. It will hurt us if we lose touch with who we were.”

Speaking of which: The group released an EP, “The “Virginia,” in May, alongside Vincent Moon’s documentary “A Skin, A Night,” about the making of “Boxer.” Post-tour, the members go their own ways. “We don’t practice for a while. I try to live normally, have dinner with my wife, watch TV,” Berninger says. “Average life is rich with content. Eventually, we’ll get together with the ideas we’ve jotted down and start working again.”

Their politics on their tees: The band put Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama’s face on a fundraising T-shirt emblazoned “Mr. November,” a song from “Alligator.” “The lyrics don’t really match, but we do want him to be Mr. November,” says Berninger. The National’s song “Fake Empire” was played at the Democratic National Convention last month and is heard in one of Obama’s official campaign videos.