Arizona band Giant Sand is the musical vehicle used by singer-songwriter Howe Gelb to promote his eclectic musical style which ranges from pure country to hard hitting rock and can be categorised under the catch-all genre of Americana. Gelb began the project in 1981 and the group became swept up in a new wave of guitar bands who were emerging from the US led by the internationally successful REM. Giant Sand has always remained on the periphery of commercial success, something which can be attributed to Gelb's self-confessed lack of ambition. Gelb's cohorts in the band are a revolving collective of talented musicians with the line-up for live performances ranging from a full eight-piece band to a pared-down, minimalist three-piece. Over the years guest members have included Neko Case, PJ Harvey, Isobel Campbell and many more respected performers, usually drawn from the world of country rock. Just after the turn of the millennium Gelb re-invented the band and staffed it with predominately Danish musicians. The band have now released almost 30 studio albums.