Death Cab for Cutie essentially began when lead singer Ben Gibbard recorded a collection of his trademark quirky, introspective songs and distributed them on cassette. The Bellingham, Washington, musician soon found that his body of work was quite well-received; so well received, in fact, that Gibbard decided to put together a band of like-minded musicians. Producer Chris Walla, who had recorded Gibbard's cassette offerings, signed on as guitarist/organist, and drummer Nathan Good and bassist Nick Harmer soon followed. By the middle of 1998, the four had formed Death Cab for Cutie, so named because of a song that appeared in the Beatles' Magical Mystery Tour.

The unusually-named act signed with Seattle-based independent label Barsuk Records, even then traveling cross-country in a dilapidated van while sharpening its live-performance skills. It wasn't long before the band released "Something About Airplanes," but just prior to the 2000 issue of "We Have the Facts, and We're Voting Yes," Good left the band. He was replaced by Michael Schoor, and Death Cab for Cutie kept plugging away, releasing an EP later that year. "The Photo Album" followed in 2001, and after that came a long break, during which the band member pursued side projects. Death Cab for Cutie returned to the studio with yet another new drummer, Jason McGerr, to release "Transatlanticism" in 2003.

"Transatlanticism" brought the band both critical and commercial accolades, as Death Cab for Cutie's original sound and intricate lyrics were catching the attention of many music business insiders and artists alike. In 2004, the band was invited, by Eddie Vedder, to tour with Pearl Jam. Soon after, Death Cab for Cutie signed a major-label deal with Atlantic Records, and in 2005, put out "Plans" on that label.

Both the major-label release itself and the addictive and typically quirky first single, "Soul Meets Body," have helped to gain the band a rapidly growing fan base, and Death Cab for Cutie concert tickets are more and more in demand.