Everything started in Newbury Park. Most people think of The Neighbourhood—or THE NBHD if you’re trying to be edgy—as just a moody backdrop for Tumblr posts or TikTok aesthetics. They aren't. They’re a group of guys who basically grew up together in the California suburbs, far enough from LA to feel like outsiders but close enough to smell the exhaust. When "Sweater Weather" blew up, it felt like they came out of nowhere. Honestly, they didn't. They were just kids playing in different local bands until the chemistry finally clicked in 2011.
You’ve probably seen the black and white photos. That was their "thing." For years, they refused to be seen in color. It wasn't just a gimmick; it was a vibe that dictated everything about the band members of The Neighbourhood and how they presented their music to the world. But behind that grayscale filter, there’s a lot of moving parts. People come and go. Friendships get tested. And if you’re looking at the lineup today, it looks a little different than it did during the I Love You. era.
Jesse Rutherford: More Than Just the Face
Jesse is the focal point. Obviously. He’s the guy with the tattoos, the ever-changing hair, and that specific vocal delivery that sounds like he’s bored but also deeply emotional. Before he was the frontman, he was actually a child actor. Seriously. He was in Life or Something Like It with Angelina Jolie. He also tried his hand at a solo rap career under the name "Jesse James" before the band took off. You can still hear those hip-hop influences in the way he phrases his lyrics. He’s the primary songwriter, the one who pushes the aesthetic boundaries, and frankly, the reason they stayed relevant for over a decade.
He’s complicated. He’s been very open about his struggles with mental health and the pressures of being in the spotlight. In many ways, Jesse is the brand. But he’s always been quick to point out that the sound—that specific mix of indie rock, R&B, and pop—is a collective effort. He’s the visionary, sure, but he needs the rest of the guys to ground that vision into something you can actually play on a stage.
Zach Abels and Jeremiah Freedman
These are the guys responsible for that signature guitar sound. If you listen to "Daddy Issues" or "Scary Love," the guitars aren't doing typical rock star solos. They’re atmospheric. Zach Abels and Jeremiah Freedman work in tandem to create these layers of reverb and delay that make the music feel like a dream—or a nightmare, depending on the track.
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Zach usually handles the lead parts. He’s got this clean, almost surf-rock inspired tone that pays homage to their California roots. Jeremiah provides the texture. They’ve been friends since they were kids, which is why their playing feels so telepathic. They aren't trying to outplay each other. They’re trying to build a wall of sound that Jesse can float over.
The Rhythm Section and the Brandon Fried Situation
For a long time, the lineup was rock solid. Mikey Margott on bass and Brandon Fried on drums. Mikey is the secret weapon. His bass lines are often the catchiest part of the song. Think about the groove in "Stuck with Me." That’s all Mikey. He brings a funkiness to the band that keeps them from becoming too "emo" or downtrodden.
Then we have to talk about the drums. This is where things got messy. Originally, the band had a drummer named Bryan "Olivver" Sammis. He left early on to pursue a solo career (as Olivver the Kid). Brandon Fried stepped in and was the heartbeat of the band for years. He played on their biggest albums and was deeply integrated into their social circle.
However, in late 2022, everything changed. Brandon was fired from the band following allegations of misconduct. It was a huge shock to the fanbase. The band members of The Neighbourhood released a statement saying they have zero tolerance for that kind of behavior. Since then, the band has been in a bit of a limbo. They went on a hiatus, and while they haven't officially broken up, the absence of a permanent drummer has left a void in their public identity.
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Why the Lineup Matters to the Sound
A lot of bands are just a singer and some session musicians. The NBHD isn't that. When you look at the band members of The Neighbourhood, you’re looking at a brotherhood that survived the weirdness of sudden 2013 fame. They’ve experimented with every genre under the sun. Wiped Out! was moody and beachy. The self-titled album was more electronic. Chip Chrome & The Mono-Tones was a full-blown glam-rock concept project.
They change because they grow together. If it were just Jesse, it would probably just be a pop-rap project. If it were just the guitarists, it might be an instrumental post-rock band. The friction between their individual tastes is what creates that "Dark Pop" niche they basically invented.
The Hiatus and Solo Projects
Right now, the members are doing their own thing. Jesse released solo music and made headlines for his relationship with Billie Eilish (which has since ended). Zach and Mikey have been seen working on various creative endeavors. They needed a break. After ten years of touring and the trauma of the Brandon Fried situation, the "black and white" world needed some color—or maybe just some silence.
People often ask if they’ll come back. Honestly? It's likely. They’ve been through too much together to just let it die. But it won't be the same. The next time we see the band members of The Neighbourhood on a stage, it will be a new era. A new drummer, a new sound, and probably a new way of looking at their legacy.
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Understanding the "Neighbourhood" Dynamic
- Suburban Roots: They grew up in Ventura County. This "suburban boredom" fuels the angst in their lyrics.
- Aesthetic Control: They famously fired a photographer early in their career because he wouldn't edit their photos to be black and white. They take their image seriously.
- The "Sweater Weather" Curse: It’s their biggest hit, but the band members have a love-hate relationship with it. It defined them, but sometimes they feel it limits them.
- Genre-Blending: They were one of the first "indie" bands to openly embrace hip-hop production, paving the way for the current "alt" landscape.
If you want to understand the band, don't just look at the Spotify numbers. Look at the credits. Look at who produced what. They’ve worked with heavy hitters like Benny Blanco, but they always keep the core production "in-house" with the band members. That’s why their discography feels cohesive even when the style shifts.
Actionable Steps for New Fans
If you're just getting into them, don't just stop at the hits. To really hear what the band members of The Neighbourhood are capable of, you need to dig into the deep cuts.
- Listen to "The Love Collection": These three tracks show the band at their most experimental and raw. It’s a bridge between their early indie sound and their later R&B influences.
- Watch their live sessions: Specifically the ones from the Wiped Out! era. You can see the chemistry between Zach and Jeremiah. It’s not just studio magic; they can actually play.
- Follow the solo work: Check out Jesse’s & album to see where his head is at creatively. It gives context to the lyrics he writes for the band.
- Research the production: Look into how they recorded I Love You. in a small home studio. It proves you don't need a million-dollar budget to create a global hit if the band members are in sync.
The story of The Neighbourhood is still being written. It’s a story of suburban kids who built an empire on a specific aesthetic and a shared musical language. Whether they return as a quartet or find a new fifth member, their impact on the 2010s alternative scene is already cemented. Keep an eye on their social channels, but don't expect a reunion tour tomorrow. Good things—and good music—usually take time to ferment in the dark.