Superchunk is an American
indie rockIndie rock is a genre of alternative rock that originated in the United Kingdom and the United States in the 1980s. Indie rock is extremely diverse, with sub-genres that include lo-fi, post-rock, math rock, indie pop, dream pop, noise rock, space rock, sadcore, riot grrrl and emo, among others...
band from
Chapel Hill, North CarolinaChapel Hill is a town in Orange County, North Carolina, United States and the home of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and UNC Health Care...
, consisting of singer/guitarist
Mac McCaughanMac McCaughan is a founding member of the rock band Superchunk, and co-founder of Merge Records along with Laura Ballance. He also heads the band Portastatic, which began as a lo-fi side project and has blossomed into his main musical project...
, guitarist Jim Wilbur, bassist
Laura BallanceLaura Ballance is the bassist in the rock band Superchunk and co-founder of Merge Records along with Mac McCaughan.-References:...
, and drummer
Jon WursterJon Wurster is an American musician and humorist best known as the drummer for indie rockers Superchunk and recently for The Mountain Goats, as well for his comedic work with radio host Tom Scharpling on the The Best Show on WFMU....
. Formed in 1989, they were one of the bands that helped define the Chapel Hill music scene of the 1990s. Their energetic, high-velocity style and do-it-yourself ethics were influenced by
punk rockPunk rock is a rock music genre that developed between 1974 and 1976 in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia. Rooted in garage rock and other forms of what is now known as protopunk music, punk rock bands eschewed perceived excesses of mainstream 1970s rock...
.
History
Superchunk was formed in 1989 in the town of
Chapel Hill, North CarolinaChapel Hill is a town in Orange County, North Carolina, United States and the home of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and UNC Health Care...
, by
Mac McCaughanMac McCaughan is a founding member of the rock band Superchunk, and co-founder of Merge Records along with Laura Ballance. He also heads the band Portastatic, which began as a lo-fi side project and has blossomed into his main musical project...
(guitar and vocals),
Laura BallanceLaura Ballance is the bassist in the rock band Superchunk and co-founder of Merge Records along with Mac McCaughan.-References:...
(bass), Chuck Garrison (drums), and Jack McCook (guitar). Initially, the band went by the name Chunk (original drummer Chuck Garrison's name was misspelled as "Chunk" Garrison in the phone book, and the moniker stuck), and they released their first single as Chunk. After adding the "Super" prefix to their name to avoid confusion with a similarly named jazz band from New York, the first official Superchunk single, "Slack Motherfucker," followed in 1989 on
Merge RecordsMerge Records is an independent record label based in Durham, North Carolina. It was founded in 1989 by Laura Ballance and Mac McCaughan. It began as a way to release music from their band Superchunk and music created by friends, and has expanded to include artists from around the world and records...
, founded by McCaughan and Ballance. Both releases were well received, and Superchunk would release its debut
self-titled albumSuperchunk is Superchunk's first studio album. It was recorded January 18–19, 1990, at Duck Kee Studios in Raleigh, North Carolina, and released on Matador Records in 1990....
in 1990 on
Matador RecordsMatador Records is an independent record label, with a roster of indie rock artists and bands.-History:Matador was started by Chris Lombardi in 1989 in his New York City apartment. The following year, Lombardi was joined by former Homestead Records manager Gerard Cosloy, and the two of them have...
to more critical acclaim.
McCook decided to leave the group after the release of the first album,
SuperchunkSuperchunk is Superchunk's first studio album. It was recorded January 18–19, 1990, at Duck Kee Studios in Raleigh, North Carolina, and released on Matador Records in 1990....
, and Connecticut-born James Wilbur was recruited to take over guitar duties. In spite of the ensuing bidding war that emerged between major record labels in the aftermath of the album's release, Superchunk decided to stay independent, sticking with Matador Records for their second, just as critically lauded LP,
No Pocky for KittyNo Pocky for Kitty is Superchunk's second studio album. It was recorded April 21-23, 1991, at the Chicago Recording Company by Steve Albini and released on Matador Records in 1991....
.
No Pocky for KittyNo Pocky for Kitty is Superchunk's second studio album. It was recorded April 21-23, 1991, at the Chicago Recording Company by Steve Albini and released on Matador Records in 1991....
was recorded in
ChicagoChicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...
by
Steve AlbiniSteven Frank Albini is an American singer, songwriter, guitarist, audio engineer and music journalist. He was a member of Big Black, Rapeman, and Flour, and is currently a member of Shellac...
in 1991. Garrison left the band a few weeks before the record’s release, and
Jon WursterJon Wurster is an American musician and humorist best known as the drummer for indie rockers Superchunk and recently for The Mountain Goats, as well for his comedic work with radio host Tom Scharpling on the The Best Show on WFMU....
was brought on board for drums.
The band put out one more record for Matador,
On the MouthOn the Mouth is Superchunk's third studio album. It was recorded September 14-20, 1992, at West Beach Studios, engineered by Donnell Cameron, and produced by John Reis and Superchunk...
in 1993. After Matador entered into a distribution agreement with big label
Atlantic RecordsAtlantic Records is an American record label best known for its many recordings of rhythm and blues, rock and roll, and jazz...
, Superchunk decided to leave the label, even though the Atlantic logo did not have to be displayed on their releases. Instead, the band opted to release their following records through Merge. The next album,
FoolishFoolish is Superchunk's fourth studio album. It was recorded November 30 through December 2, 1993, at Pachyderm Studios, by Brian Paulson. It was released by Merge Records in 1994.The cover art is credited to the band's bassist, Laura Ballance....
, brought further critical acclaim for the band in 1994. A second singles compilation (the first was 1992’s
Tossing SeedsTossing Seeds is an album by Superchunk compiling a number of their earliest 7" singles and EPs. It was released by Merge Records in 1991....
) came out in the summer of 1995. It was titled
Incidental Music 1991–95 and contained most of their hard-to-find tracks (imports, B-sides, comp. tracks) released between 1991 and 1995.
Boston was the setting for Superchunk’s next album session. 1995’s
Here’s Where the Strings Come InHere's Where the Strings Come In is the fifth studio album by Superchunk. It was released by Merge Records in 1995.It was recorded at Fort Apache Studios from May 25 to June 4, 1995....
was recorded at the city’s
Fort Apache StudiosFort Apache Studios is a New England recording studio internationally renowned for alternative rock sessions produced there since 1986. The studio is currently located in the village of Bellows Falls, Vermont in space leased in an old hotel called The Windham, owned by the town of Rockingham,...
and slated for a fall release. The band toured hard for
Strings all over the world as well as appearing on the
LollapaloozaLollapalooza is an annual music festival featuring popular alternative rock, heavy metal, punk rock and hip hop bands, dance and comedy performances, and craft booths. It has also provided a platform for non-profit and political groups. The music festival hosts more than 160,000 people over a...
tour, scoring a minor hit with the “Hyper Enough” single and video.
After a brief hiatus and another Australian tour, the band released a limited-edition EP called
The Laughter Guns. They then started writing for what would become
Indoor LivingIndoor Living is the sixth studio album by Superchunk, released by Merge Records in 1997. It was recorded at Echo Park Studios in Bloomington, Indiana, and mixed at Overdub Lane, Durham, North Carolina...
. Recording started in Bloomington, Indiana’s Echo Park Studios with Chapel Hillian
John PlymaleJohn Plymale is a record producer, recording engineer, and musician living in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA.He was born July 1, 1964 in West Virginia....
co-producing with the band. Superchunk stretched out a bit on
Indoor LivingIndoor Living is the sixth studio album by Superchunk, released by Merge Records in 1997. It was recorded at Echo Park Studios in Bloomington, Indiana, and mixed at Overdub Lane, Durham, North Carolina...
, expanding their sound by adding some new instruments to the mix: piano, organ, vibes and more. The album was by far their most adventurous and at the same time their most accessible to date.
Superchunk delivered
Come Pick Me UpCome Pick Me Up is the seventh studio album by Superchunk, released in 1999. It is marked by the presence of co-producer Jim O'Rourke, a well-known figure in underground circles...
, their seventh full-length studio release in 1999. Recording in
ChicagoChicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...
at
Electrical AudioElectrical Audio is a recording facility founded in Chicago, Illinois by musician and recording engineer Steve Albini in 1997. Hundreds of independent music projects have been recorded there....
with producer
Jim O'RourkeJim O'Rourke is an Irish-American musician and record producer. He was long associated with the Chicago experimental and improv scene...
. Superchunk continued the expansion and growth of their sound that started with
Foolish, pushing themselves to new heights of creativity.
In 2001, the band released
Here's to Shutting UpHere's to Shutting Up is the eighth studio album by Superchunk. Brian Paulson, who served as co-producer, previously worked with the band on 1994's Foolish....
.
In 2002, Superchunk released two of the three limited-edition Live albums known as The Clambakes series. Clambakes Volume 1 (limited to 1500 copies) is an acoustic live set recorded in various record stores across the US in support of
Here's to Shutting Up and Clambakes Volume 2 (limited to 2500 copies) is a film score Superchunk was commissioned to write. It was recorded live at the Castro Theater in San Francisco, April 23, 2002, during the
San Francisco International Film FestivalSan Francisco International Film Festival is the oldest continuously running film festival in the Americas. Organized by the San Francisco Film Society, the International is held each spring for two weeks, presenting an average of 150 films from over 50 countries...
at a showing of the 1926
Teinosuke Kinugasa-External links:* *...
film
A Page of Madness-External links:*...
.
Cup of SandCup of Sand is a double-sized collection of singles, B-sides and various rarities released by Superchunk in 2003...
, released in 2003, is the third singles album compiling all singles and rare 1995-2002 tracks.
The third and final Clambakes Series Volume 3 was released in 2004, documenting the live set Superchunk played at the Cat's Cradle in Carrboro,
North CarolinaNorth Carolina is a state located in the southeastern United States. The state borders South Carolina and Georgia to the south, Tennessee to the west and Virginia to the north. North Carolina contains 100 counties. Its capital is Raleigh, and its largest city is Charlotte...
, on July 23, 1999, for the Merge Records 10-year anniversary celebration.
In 2006, Superchunk headlined a concert held in celebration of the 10th anniversary of
The Daily ShowThe Daily Show , is an American late night satirical television program airing each Monday through Thursday on Comedy Central. The half-hour long show premiered on July 21, 1996, and was hosted by Craig Kilborn until December 1998...
, a
Comedy CentralComedy Central is an American cable television and satellite television channel that carries comedy programming, both original and syndicated....
program, at Irving Plaza in New York. The show also featured a performance from
Clem SnideClem Snide is an alt-country band featuring Eef Barzelay , Brendan Fitzpatrick and Ben Martin .-History:"Clem Snide" is a character in several novels by William S. Burroughs, including Naked Lunch, The Ticket That Exploded, and Exterminator!...
as well as short stand-up comedy sets from various Daily Show correspondents.
In 2007, Superchunk contributed a hidden track to the
Aqua Teen Hunger Force soundtrackAqua Teen Hunger Force Colon Movie Film for Theaters Colon the Soundtrack is a soundtrack album for the movie Aqua Teen Hunger Force Colon Movie Film for Theaters, and was released on April 10, 2007. It features many previously unreleased songs, some recorded for the purpose of this album...
, "Misfits and Mistakes", with singing from
Aqua Teen Hunger ForceAqua Teen Hunger Force , retitled Aqua Unit Patrol Squad 1 in 2011, is an American animated television series on Cartoon Network late night programing block, Adult Swim, as well as Teletoon's Teletoon at Night block and later G4 Canada's ADd block in Canada...
character
MeatwadMeatwad is a fictional character on the Adult Swim animated television series Aqua Unit Patrol Squad 1, which was originally titled Aqua Teen Hunger Force since its premiere in 2000 until 2011...
. On June 5, 2007, Superchunk released the
Misfits and Mistakes 7", which has the Superchunk solo version on the A-side, and the Meatwad version on the B-side.
The band played two shows, the Eff Cancer Benefit in Chicago on June 20, 2007, and headlined the inaugural free Pool Parties show at McCarren Park Pool in
BrooklynBrooklyn is the most populous of New York City's five boroughs, with nearly 2.6 million residents, and the second-largest in area. Since 1896, Brooklyn has had the same boundaries as Kings County, which is now the most populous county in New York State and the second-most densely populated...
,
New YorkNew York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
. They are also known to still play occasional one-off shows at home in
North CarolinaNorth Carolina is a state located in the southeastern United States. The state borders South Carolina and Georgia to the south, Tennessee to the west and Virginia to the north. North Carolina contains 100 counties. Its capital is Raleigh, and its largest city is Charlotte...
, usually at
Cat's CradleCat's Cradle is the fourth novel by American writer Kurt Vonnegut, first published in 1963. It explores issues of science, technology, and religion, satirizing the arms race and many other targets along the way...
in Carrboro.
Superchunk also recorded a cover version of "Say My Name" by
Destiny's ChildDestiny's Child was an American R&B girl group whose final line-up comprised lead singer Beyoncé Knowles alongside Kelly Rowland and Michelle Williams. Formed in 1997 in Houston, Texas, Destiny's Child members began their musical endeavors in their pre-teens under the name Girl's Tyme...
for
Engine Room RecordingsEngine Room Recordings is an independent record label with a roster of Indie rock and Alternative rock musicians. Beyond marketing and distribution for its artists, the label does booking and artist management....
' compilation album
Guilt by Association, which was set to be released in September 2007.
Superchunk appeared at
Coachella Valley Music and Arts FestivalThe Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival is a three-day annual music and arts festival, organized by Goldenvoice and held at the Empire Polo Club in Indio, California, in the Inland Empire's Coachella Valley...
in
IndioIndio may refer to:* Indio, California* Indio, person of indigenous peoples of the Americas* The Spanish Colonial racial term for the native Austronesian peoples of the Philippines between the 16th and 19th centuriesSpecific people:...
California on Saturday April 18, 2009 along with other leading acts like
Yeah Yeah YeahsYeah Yeah Yeahs are an American indie rock band formed in New York City in 2000. The group is composed of vocalist and pianist Karen O, guitarist and keyboardist Nick Zinner, and drummer Brian Chase. They are complemented in live performances by second guitarist David Pajo, who joined as a touring...
, The Killers,
M.I.A.Mathangi "Maya" Arulpragasam , better known by her stage name M.I.A. , is an English singer-songwriter, rapper, record producer, painter and director of Sri Lankan Tamil descent. Her compositions combine elements of hip hop, electronica, dance, alternative and world music. M.I.A...
,
TV On The RadioTV on the Radio is an American art rock band formed in 2001 in Brooklyn, New York, whose music spans numerous diverse genres, from post-punk to electro and free jazz to soul music....
,
Band Of HorsesBand of Horses, originally briefly known as Horses, are an American rock band formed in 2004 in Seattle by Ben Bridwell. They have released three studio albums, the most recent and most successful of which is 2010's Grammy nominated Infinite Arms...
.
On April 7, 2009, Superchunk released the Leaves in the Gutter EP, their first CD release in seven years. It consisted of three unreleased tracks, in addition to "Misfits and Mistakes" and an acoustic version of the new song "Learned to Surf".
On May 28, 2009, the band announced a new 7" "Crossed Wires" b/w "Blinders (Fast Vers.)", which released on July 7, 2009. It was initially limited to a pressing of 1000 on clear vinyl.
On July 27, 2010, the band covered
The CureThe Cure are an English rock band formed in Crawley, West Sussex in 1976. The band has experienced several line-up changes, with frontman, vocalist, guitarist and principal songwriter Robert Smith being the only constant member...
's
In Between Days"In Between Days" is a song by the English new wave/rock band The Cure....
for AV Club Undercover.
The band's ninth studio album,
Majesty ShreddingMajesty Shredding is the ninth studio album by Superchunk, released September 14, 2010 on Merge Records. It is the band's first studio album since 2001's Here's to Shutting Up. Review Aggregator site AnyDecentMusic? correlated 16 reviews resulting in an ADM Rating of 7.9, indicating that the album...
, was released on September 14, 2010. The band have been chosen by
Jeff MangumJeff Mangum is a musician best known for being the lyricist, vocalist and guitarist of the band Neutral Milk Hotel, as well as being one of the cofounders of The Elephant 6 Recording Company. Mangum, along with the other founding members of the Elephant 6, attended Ruston High School in the late...
of
Neutral Milk HotelNeutral Milk Hotel was an American indie rock band formed by singer, guitarist and songwriter Jeff Mangum in the early 1990s. The band was noted for its experimental sound, obscure lyrics and eclectic instrumentation....
to perform at the
All Tomorrow's PartiesAll Tomorrow's Parties is a music festival which takes place at Camber Sands holiday camp in East Sussex and Butlin's holiday camp in Minehead, Somerset, England....
festival he will curate in December 2011 in Minehead, England.
Discography
Superchunk's main studio albums (excluding compilations, live albums, EPs, singles, etc.) are:
- Superchunk
Superchunk is Superchunk's first studio album. It was recorded January 18–19, 1990, at Duck Kee Studios in Raleigh, North Carolina, and released on Matador Records in 1990....
(MatadorMatador Records is an independent record label, with a roster of indie rock artists and bands.-History:Matador was started by Chris Lombardi in 1989 in his New York City apartment. The following year, Lombardi was joined by former Homestead Records manager Gerard Cosloy, and the two of them have...
, 1990)
- No Pocky for Kitty
No Pocky for Kitty is Superchunk's second studio album. It was recorded April 21-23, 1991, at the Chicago Recording Company by Steve Albini and released on Matador Records in 1991....
(Matador, 1991)
- On the Mouth
On the Mouth is Superchunk's third studio album. It was recorded September 14-20, 1992, at West Beach Studios, engineered by Donnell Cameron, and produced by John Reis and Superchunk...
(Matador, 1993)
- Foolish
Foolish is Superchunk's fourth studio album. It was recorded November 30 through December 2, 1993, at Pachyderm Studios, by Brian Paulson. It was released by Merge Records in 1994.The cover art is credited to the band's bassist, Laura Ballance....
(MergeMerge Records is an independent record label based in Durham, North Carolina. It was founded in 1989 by Laura Ballance and Mac McCaughan. It began as a way to release music from their band Superchunk and music created by friends, and has expanded to include artists from around the world and records...
, 1994)
- Here's Where the Strings Come In
Here's Where the Strings Come In is the fifth studio album by Superchunk. It was released by Merge Records in 1995.It was recorded at Fort Apache Studios from May 25 to June 4, 1995....
(Merge, 1995)
- Indoor Living
Indoor Living is the sixth studio album by Superchunk, released by Merge Records in 1997. It was recorded at Echo Park Studios in Bloomington, Indiana, and mixed at Overdub Lane, Durham, North Carolina...
(Merge, 1997)
- Come Pick Me Up
Come Pick Me Up is the seventh studio album by Superchunk, released in 1999. It is marked by the presence of co-producer Jim O'Rourke, a well-known figure in underground circles...
(Merge, 1999)
- Here's to Shutting Up
Here's to Shutting Up is the eighth studio album by Superchunk. Brian Paulson, who served as co-producer, previously worked with the band on 1994's Foolish....
(Merge, 2001)
- Majesty Shredding
Majesty Shredding is the ninth studio album by Superchunk, released September 14, 2010 on Merge Records. It is the band's first studio album since 2001's Here's to Shutting Up. Review Aggregator site AnyDecentMusic? correlated 16 reviews resulting in an ADM Rating of 7.9, indicating that the album...
(Merge, 2010)
Side projects
Mac McCaughan has recorded several albums as
PortastaticPortastatic is an American indie rock band founded in the early 1990s by Mac McCaughan. Portastatic began as a solo project for McCaughan, lead singer and guitarist of the indie rock band Superchunk...
. Initially a solo project, Portastatic has evolved into a full band, which currently includes Superchunk's Jim Wilbur as a member.
Jim Wilbur has recorded a number of singles and an album as Humidifier. The album
Nothing Changes was released on Link Records in 1996. Humidifier also includes John King from another
Merge RecordsMerge Records is an independent record label based in Durham, North Carolina. It was founded in 1989 by Laura Ballance and Mac McCaughan. It began as a way to release music from their band Superchunk and music created by friends, and has expanded to include artists from around the world and records...
band, Spent.
External links