Snowcake (band)
Encyclopedia
Snowcake was a band formed in Edinburgh, Scotland in 1983 by guitarist-singer Axel Fischer (AKA Alex) and bassist Ag Holstrom (AKA Agstrom) which was notable for its influence on US alternative rock bands of the late 1980s and early 1990s.
Unusually for a band of their significance, they hardly produced any recorded output and their influence was solely due to their live performance.
With a shared love of US hardcore
, the 70s NY punk scene and early US alternative rock
and a pledge never to cover other bands' material, Fischer and Holstrom wrote songs prolifically and using firstly a number of temporary drummers and then an early drum machine
, the band gigged heavily on the then buoyant UK university circuit with support slots on early tours from US visitors such as R.E.M.
and Husker Du
.
Frustrated with an early success that brought them a solid but limited UK fan base, the two looked to the US for their future and relocated to Minneapolis, ostensibly to holiday, but in reality to meet with contacts they had made there and be closer to the burgeoning hardcore/alt-rock scene.
Hooking up with drummer Mark Mitschell (AKA Zoom) from Cleveland, the band gigged constantly throughout the north US for the next two years and developed a fearsome live act, and although Fischer's heavily distorted guitar was the default sound of the day on the hardcore circuit, the strength of the duo's songwriting combined with Fischer's sweet voice and Holstrom's melodic bass set them apart from the majority.
During these years they contributed to a number of low-budget compilation albums for various local US independent labels but these were usually sold at live gigs and known copies are scarce to non-existent. In 1987 however, the band recorded an EP, Strangled/SceneZine
, which was self financed and 500 copies were released on their own eponymous record label.
It was during this time that one of their gigs was attended by Kurt Cobain
and years later prior to the release of Nevermind and during Nirvana
's only ever appearance in Edinburgh, Cobain announced from the stage that he would give his guitar to anyone who knew how he could contact the band. Through a friend, a meeting was subsequently arranged and Fischer and Holstrom met with Cobain after the gig in the city's Southern Bar.
Fischer and Holstrom's extended (and illegal) working US holiday came to a sudden end when they were refused re-entry to the States after crossing over to Canada for a Toronto gig and they chose to return to Edinburgh to consider their next move.
This coincided with a raised interest in alternative rock in Britain and with Edinburgh bands The Hook And Pull Gang, Green Telescope and Goodbye Mr McKenzie enjoying record company interest Mitschell agreed to move to Scotland to help push the band forward.
Their live reputation followed them from America and with a strong three-track demo in hand major labels Warner Brothers, Virgin and Arista
showed an interest in signing them, however having been exposed to the independence and freedom of the Minneapolis scene the band were reluctant to tie to a major label.
Plans were then made to release their long overdue debut album on their own label and a distribution deal was signed with specialist company Pinnacle Entertainment (UK).
By November 1988 the band had finished recording twelve songs for the album at Signal Sounds in East Lothian
and were in the process of mixing these when a fire ripped through the main studio building one night and all the master tapes together with much of the studio equipment was destroyed.
The studio was discovered to be vastly overinsured and the owner was investigated for starting the fire deliberately, although nothing against him was ever proven. The band however, ultimately lost their entire budget for the album as all costs had been paid upfront.
At this time Axel Fischer who had been suffering from worsening stomach pains for several years was diagnosed with severe Crohns Disease and announced that he would be unable to tour for prolonged periods ever again. This, coupled with the disappointment at the loss of their master tapes and ongoing financial struggles, led the band to announce an indefinite hiatus to activities although they have never officially split up.
Fischer and Holstrom remained in Edinburgh and Mitschell returned to the US, however it is believed that he emigrated back in the 1990s and now lives in the city permanently.
In early 2000s the domain name www.snowcake.co.uk was registered by the members of the band and a mailing list was advertised which quickly attracted fans with long memories from the UK and the US, and although updates have been sporadic, it has been reported that an email in late 2010 alerted list members to renewed activity from the band very soon.
Unusually for a band of their significance, they hardly produced any recorded output and their influence was solely due to their live performance.
With a shared love of US hardcore
Hardcore punk
Hardcore punk is an underground music genre that originated in the late 1970s, following the mainstream success of punk rock. Hardcore is generally faster, thicker, and heavier than earlier punk rock. The origin of the term "hardcore punk" is uncertain. The Vancouver-based band D.O.A...
, the 70s NY punk scene and early US alternative rock
Alternative rock
Alternative rock is a genre of rock music and a term used to describe a diverse musical movement that emerged from the independent music underground of the 1980s and became widely popular by the 1990s...
and a pledge never to cover other bands' material, Fischer and Holstrom wrote songs prolifically and using firstly a number of temporary drummers and then an early drum machine
Drum machine
A drum machine is an electronic musical instrument designed to imitate the sound of drums or other percussion instruments. They are used in a variety of musical genres, not just purely electronic music...
, the band gigged heavily on the then buoyant UK university circuit with support slots on early tours from US visitors such as R.E.M.
R.E.M.
R.E.M. was an American rock band formed in Athens, Georgia, in 1980 by singer Michael Stipe, guitarist Peter Buck, bassist Mike Mills and drummer Bill Berry. One of the first popular alternative rock bands, R.E.M. gained early attention due to Buck's ringing, arpeggiated guitar style and Stipe's...
and Husker Du
Husker Du
Husker Du means "Do you remember" in Danish and Norwegian, and may refer to:*Hüsker Dü, American punk band*Hūsker Dū?, a Danish board game*Husker Du, a Danish documentary series about the 1970s...
.
Frustrated with an early success that brought them a solid but limited UK fan base, the two looked to the US for their future and relocated to Minneapolis, ostensibly to holiday, but in reality to meet with contacts they had made there and be closer to the burgeoning hardcore/alt-rock scene.
Hooking up with drummer Mark Mitschell (AKA Zoom) from Cleveland, the band gigged constantly throughout the north US for the next two years and developed a fearsome live act, and although Fischer's heavily distorted guitar was the default sound of the day on the hardcore circuit, the strength of the duo's songwriting combined with Fischer's sweet voice and Holstrom's melodic bass set them apart from the majority.
During these years they contributed to a number of low-budget compilation albums for various local US independent labels but these were usually sold at live gigs and known copies are scarce to non-existent. In 1987 however, the band recorded an EP, Strangled/SceneZine
Smart Studios
Smart Studios was a recording studio located at 1254 E Washington Ave in Madison, Wisconsin. It was set up in 1983 by Butch Vig and Steve Marker to produce local bands....
, which was self financed and 500 copies were released on their own eponymous record label.
It was during this time that one of their gigs was attended by Kurt Cobain
Kurt Cobain
Kurt Donald Cobain was an American singer-songwriter, musician and artist, best known as the lead singer and guitarist of the grunge band Nirvana...
and years later prior to the release of Nevermind and during Nirvana
Nirvana (band)
Nirvana was an American rock band that was formed by singer/guitarist Kurt Cobain and bassist Krist Novoselic in Aberdeen, Washington in 1987...
's only ever appearance in Edinburgh, Cobain announced from the stage that he would give his guitar to anyone who knew how he could contact the band. Through a friend, a meeting was subsequently arranged and Fischer and Holstrom met with Cobain after the gig in the city's Southern Bar.
Fischer and Holstrom's extended (and illegal) working US holiday came to a sudden end when they were refused re-entry to the States after crossing over to Canada for a Toronto gig and they chose to return to Edinburgh to consider their next move.
This coincided with a raised interest in alternative rock in Britain and with Edinburgh bands The Hook And Pull Gang, Green Telescope and Goodbye Mr McKenzie enjoying record company interest Mitschell agreed to move to Scotland to help push the band forward.
Their live reputation followed them from America and with a strong three-track demo in hand major labels Warner Brothers, Virgin and Arista
Arista Records
Arista was an American record label. It was a wholly owned subsidiary of Sony Music Entertainment and operated under the RCA Music Group. The label was founded in 1974 by Clive Davis, who formerly worked for CBS Records...
showed an interest in signing them, however having been exposed to the independence and freedom of the Minneapolis scene the band were reluctant to tie to a major label.
Plans were then made to release their long overdue debut album on their own label and a distribution deal was signed with specialist company Pinnacle Entertainment (UK).
By November 1988 the band had finished recording twelve songs for the album at Signal Sounds in East Lothian
East Lothian
East Lothian is one of the 32 council areas of Scotland, and a lieutenancy Area. It borders the City of Edinburgh, Scottish Borders and Midlothian. Its administrative centre is Haddington, although its largest town is Musselburgh....
and were in the process of mixing these when a fire ripped through the main studio building one night and all the master tapes together with much of the studio equipment was destroyed.
The studio was discovered to be vastly overinsured and the owner was investigated for starting the fire deliberately, although nothing against him was ever proven. The band however, ultimately lost their entire budget for the album as all costs had been paid upfront.
At this time Axel Fischer who had been suffering from worsening stomach pains for several years was diagnosed with severe Crohns Disease and announced that he would be unable to tour for prolonged periods ever again. This, coupled with the disappointment at the loss of their master tapes and ongoing financial struggles, led the band to announce an indefinite hiatus to activities although they have never officially split up.
Fischer and Holstrom remained in Edinburgh and Mitschell returned to the US, however it is believed that he emigrated back in the 1990s and now lives in the city permanently.
In early 2000s the domain name www.snowcake.co.uk was registered by the members of the band and a mailing list was advertised which quickly attracted fans with long memories from the UK and the US, and although updates have been sporadic, it has been reported that an email in late 2010 alerted list members to renewed activity from the band very soon.