Question 1

True or false: The band’s first album was self-titled and released in 2001 on Brassland Records.

Accepted Answer

True. Their debut, 'The National', came out in 2001 on their own label Brassland, founded with friends.

Question 2

True or false: All four members of The National are cousins, not just friends.

Accepted Answer

False. Only the Devendorf brothers are related; the Dessner twins and Berninger have no familial connection to them.

Question 3

True or false: The National’s drummer Bryan Devendorf is actually the younger brother of bassist Scott Devendorf.

Accepted Answer

True. Bryan and Scott are brothers—Bryan on drums, Scott on bass—a common but often unknown family tie in the band.

Question 4

True or false: Singer Matt Berninger originally wanted to be a professional tennis player before forming the band.

Accepted Answer

False. Berninger studied English and worked in advertising; there’s no record of a tennis career aspiration.

Question 5

True or false: The song 'Fake Empire' was used as the campaign theme for Barack Obama’s 2008 presidential run.

Accepted Answer

False. Obama used 'Fake Empire' at rallies without permission; the band later said they were flattered but didn’t endorse it officially.

Question 6

True or false: The National once performed a full orchestral concert at the Sydney Opera House with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra.

Accepted Answer

True. In 2018, they played a special show at the Sydney Opera House, backed by the Sydney Symphony Orchestra for a unique set.

Question 7

True or false: Matt Berninger co-wrote a song with Taylor Swift for her album 'Folklore'.

Accepted Answer

False. No such collaboration exists; the confusion may arise from Aaron Dessner’s work with Swift on 'Folklore', not Berninger.

Question 8

True or false: The National’s 2010 album 'High Violet' was recorded in a converted church in upstate New York.

Accepted Answer

True. The band recorded 'High Violet' at a former Methodist church in the Hudson Valley, giving it a unique acoustic character.

The National Trivia Questions