Papas Fritas is an alternative pop trio whose name is both Spanish for "fried potatoes" and a pun on the phrase "pop has freed us." The group's membership consists of guitarist/vocalist Tony Goddess, bassist/vocalist Keith Gendel, and drummer/vocalist Shivika Asthana; the former and the latter attended school together in Wilmington, DE, and met Gendel at college in Somerville, MA. Their self-titled debut was released in 1995, and its follow-up, Helioself, was issued in 1997 by Minty Fresh. After a three-year hiatus, Papas Fritas returned in early 2000 with Buildings and Grounds. After touring in support of that album, the band took a well-needed break. Asthana started her Master's in public health at Boston University. Gendel also went back to school, earning a graduate degree from the Southern Callifornia Institute of Architecture. Goddess stuck with music. He recorded and performed shows with the Prettiest Gurls and Sun Burned Hand of the Man while also contributing to Guster's fourth album, Keep It Together. In 2003, Papas Fritas reconvened for the release of Pop Has Freed Us. ~ Steve Huey, All Music Guide