Intellectual indie 4 piece from Fullerton, California, comprising of Nathan Willett (vocals, guitar, piano), Jonnie Russell (guitar/vocals), Matt Maust (bass) and Matt Aveiro (drums). Formed in 2004 in Russell's apartment in historic downtown Fullerton, the band relocated to Los Angeles and, after signing to Monarchy Music, released their debut EP, "Mulberry Street" (named after the restaurant below Russell's Fullerton apartment) in the spring of 2005. During extensive touring in 2005-2006, the band released 2 more EPs,"With Our Wallets Full" and "Up in Rags". Summer 2006 saw Cold War Kids sign to Downtown Records and release their debut LP, "Robbers & Cowards" a few months later.

Their music is heavily inspired by artists such as Jeff Buckley, Bob Dylan, Velvet Underground and Radiohead - Willett has identified Radiohead and, in particular, "OK Computer", as a strong influence, saying, "It's the only album that I feel compelled to say way too grandiose things about, that rock journalists have already said plenty: Like that OK Computer is the single most important album to be released during my youth and that it was a rite of passage. But that really is the truth and I have never had an emotional connection with an album quite like I have with this one".

Cold War Kids are avid supporters of unsigned talent such as the band Electric Furs, and they have toured in support of Two Gallants, Tapes 'n Tapes, Clap Your Hands Say Yeah, Sound Team, Muse, and The White Stripes.