The Lemons
Encyclopedia
The Lemons was an American rock
band from Seattle, Washington, formed in 1991. The first lineup of the group consisted of Jimmy Paulson (lead vocals, guitar), Greg Lovell (guitar), Brent Saunders (bass) and Jeff Ramirez (drums). Ramirez was soon replaced by Rob Cunningham and the band released their debut album entitled Marvel in 1993.
After signing with Mercury Records
, The Lemons released a self-titled EP in 1994. The same year, Cunningham was replaced by Nabil Ayers
, while Paulson departed the band in 1995 and was replaced by Jeff Hiatt, with Lovell taking up lead vocals. They released their second and final album entitled Sturdy in 1995, before disbanding the following year.
, before parting ways with Ramirez. They soon successfully auditioned drummer Rob Cunningham, after he put an ad in The Rocket
, and began recording their debut album three weeks later. They continued to play live, including shows opening for Meddaphysical and Bathtub Gin, before signing a deal with independent record label
Macola Records in 1993. Released in the same year and produced by Al Sieg, Marvel was described as "a speedy album that owed more to the bratty '80 pop-punk of the Descendents
and All
than the currently fashionable sludgy grunge
sound" by Allmusic review Stewart Mason, though he criticized Seig's production.
before signing with Mercury Records
in 1994, releasing a self-titled EP
the same year. They recorded their new album with Bill Stevenson, of the Descendents. producing. However, the label rejected the album, with Cunningham departing the band, joining Flake
, and guitarist Nabil Ayers
joining as their new drummer, making his first appearance with the band when they opened for Mudhoney
later in the year. They decided to re-record their second album with Ayers, however Paulson departed the band, temporarily joining Best Kissers in the World before forming New American Shame
, with Johnny Reidt, in 1998. Adding guitarist Jeff Hiatt to the group, Lovell became the group's lead singer and re-recorded their second album. Released in 1995, Sturdy sold poorly resulting in the band being dropped from the label a month later. The following year, The Lemons disbanded.
forming the record labels Collective Fruit and The Control Group
to release the albums Dust to Dirt
, XL from Coast to Coast
and Ten Songs in the Key of Betrayal
with the band. He later joined John Roderick's The Long Winters
, touring with Keane and releasing the album Putting the Days to Bed
. His music store, Sonic Boom, was also named the top independent music store in the US by Rolling Stone
magazine in 2006.
In April 2011, The Lemons reunited for a one-off show at Neumos in Seattle, opening for Duff McKagan's Loaded
.
, Descendents
, All
and the New York Dolls
while the band cite influences from bands such as The Beatles
, Cheap Trick
, The Plimsouls
and Kiss
. Their music has been described as "thrash
happy" and that "because they don't stay put neatly in a metal
, punk
or grunge
category, they're able to play for different audiences and with different bands." Reviewing Marvel for Allmusic, Steward Mason stated that the album "has a refreshingly post-grunge
sound" and that "the clever "Circle K Girl" and the New York Dolls-like glitter thrash of "All I Got" and "Keep Diggin'" are pure punk-pop gems."
Rock music
Rock music is a genre of popular music that developed during and after the 1960s, particularly in the United Kingdom and the United States. It has its roots in 1940s and 1950s rock and roll, itself heavily influenced by rhythm and blues and country music...
band from Seattle, Washington, formed in 1991. The first lineup of the group consisted of Jimmy Paulson (lead vocals, guitar), Greg Lovell (guitar), Brent Saunders (bass) and Jeff Ramirez (drums). Ramirez was soon replaced by Rob Cunningham and the band released their debut album entitled Marvel in 1993.
After signing with Mercury Records
Mercury Records
Mercury Records is a record label operating as a standalone company in the UK and as part of the Island Def Jam Motown Music Group in the US; both are subsidiaries of Universal Music Group. There is also a Mercury Records in Australia, which is a local artist and repertoire division of Universal...
, The Lemons released a self-titled EP in 1994. The same year, Cunningham was replaced by Nabil Ayers
Nabil Ayers
Nabil Ayers is an American musician and entrepreneur. He is a co-owner of Seattle's Sonic Boom Records, and the founder of The Control Group. As a drummer, he has performed with various acts, most recently The Long Winters. Ayers was described by music journalist Kurt B...
, while Paulson departed the band in 1995 and was replaced by Jeff Hiatt, with Lovell taking up lead vocals. They released their second and final album entitled Sturdy in 1995, before disbanding the following year.
Formation and Marvel (1991–1993)
When Greg Lovell, originally from Florida, moved to Washington from California, met Jimmy Paulson, they decided to form a band, adding bassist Brent Saunders and drummer Jeff Ramirez to the lineup in 1991, with Paulson on lead vocals and sharing guitar duties with Lovell. They played local shows, opening for acts such as the Supersuckers and the DwarvesDwarves (band)
Dwarves is an American punk band formed in Chicago, Illinois, as The Suburban Nightmare, in the mid-1980s. They are currently based in San Francisco, California. Formed as a garage punk band, their career subsequently saw them move in a hardcore direction before settling into an eclectic punk rock...
, before parting ways with Ramirez. They soon successfully auditioned drummer Rob Cunningham, after he put an ad in The Rocket
The Rocket (newspaper)
The Rocket was a free biweekly newspaper serving the Pacific Northwest region of the United States, published from 1979–2000. The newspaper's chief purpose was to document local music. This focus distinguished it from other area weeklies such as the Seattle Weekly and the Willamette Week, which...
, and began recording their debut album three weeks later. They continued to play live, including shows opening for Meddaphysical and Bathtub Gin, before signing a deal with independent record label
Independent record label
An independent record label is a record label operating without the funding of or outside the organizations of the major record labels. A great number of bands and musical acts begin on independent labels.-Overview:...
Macola Records in 1993. Released in the same year and produced by Al Sieg, Marvel was described as "a speedy album that owed more to the bratty '80 pop-punk of the Descendents
Descendents
The Descendents are an American punk rock band from Hermosa Beach, California. As of 2011, they have released six studio albums, three live albums, three compilation albums and three EPs. The Descendents broke up and reformed several times over the years, sometimes with different musicians...
and All
ALL (band)
All is an American punk band originally from Los Angeles, currently residing in Fort Collins, Colorado, formed by Descendents members Bill Stevenson, Karl Alvarez, and Stephen Egerton.-Formation and Cruz Records Years:...
than the currently fashionable sludgy grunge
Grunge
Grunge is a subgenre of alternative rock that emerged during the mid-1980s in the American state of Washington, particularly in the Seattle area. Inspired by hardcore punk, heavy metal, and indie rock, grunge is generally characterized by heavily distorted electric guitars, contrasting song...
sound" by Allmusic review Stewart Mason, though he criticized Seig's production.
Major-label deal, Sturdy and breakup (1994–1996)
The Lemons signed a deal with Will RecordsLakeshore Records
Lakeshore Records is the independent music division of Lakeshore Entertainment . They started out as WILL Records.Will Records were started by Skip Williamson in the early 90s...
before signing with Mercury Records
Mercury Records
Mercury Records is a record label operating as a standalone company in the UK and as part of the Island Def Jam Motown Music Group in the US; both are subsidiaries of Universal Music Group. There is also a Mercury Records in Australia, which is a local artist and repertoire division of Universal...
in 1994, releasing a self-titled EP
Extended play
An EP is a musical recording which contains more music than a single, but is too short to qualify as a full album or LP. The term EP originally referred only to specific types of vinyl records other than 78 rpm standard play records and LP records, but it is now applied to mid-length Compact...
the same year. They recorded their new album with Bill Stevenson, of the Descendents. producing. However, the label rejected the album, with Cunningham departing the band, joining Flake
Flake
Flake or Flakes may refer to:In food preparation:* Fish flake, a platform for drying cod* Flake , an Australian term for edible flesh of one of several species of shark...
, and guitarist Nabil Ayers
Nabil Ayers
Nabil Ayers is an American musician and entrepreneur. He is a co-owner of Seattle's Sonic Boom Records, and the founder of The Control Group. As a drummer, he has performed with various acts, most recently The Long Winters. Ayers was described by music journalist Kurt B...
joining as their new drummer, making his first appearance with the band when they opened for Mudhoney
Mudhoney
Mudhoney is an American alternative rock band. Formed in Seattle, Washington, in 1988 following the demise of Green River, Mudhoney's members are vocalist and rhythm guitarist Mark Arm, lead guitarist Steve Turner, bassist Guy Maddison, and drummer Dan Peters. Original bassist Matt Lukin left the...
later in the year. They decided to re-record their second album with Ayers, however Paulson departed the band, temporarily joining Best Kissers in the World before forming New American Shame
New American Shame
New American Shame is an American hard rock band from Seattle, Washington, formed in 1998. Their current lineup consists of Johnny Reidt , Jimmy Paulson , Marty Chandler , Kelly Wheeler and Geoff Reading...
, with Johnny Reidt, in 1998. Adding guitarist Jeff Hiatt to the group, Lovell became the group's lead singer and re-recorded their second album. Released in 1995, Sturdy sold poorly resulting in the band being dropped from the label a month later. The following year, The Lemons disbanded.
Post-breakup activities and one-off reunion (1996–present)
Ayers went on to join Alien Crime SyndicateAlien Crime Syndicate
Alien Crime Syndicate, often abbreviated to ACS, were a rock band formed in San Francisco, California, in 1997. From 1999 to the band's breakup in 2005, the lineup consisted primarily of Joe Reineke , Jeff Rouse , Nabil Ayers , while guitarists Jason Krevey, Mike Squires and Mike Davis were also...
forming the record labels Collective Fruit and The Control Group
The Control Group
The Control Group is a relatively small record label, founded by Nabil Ayers. Notable artists to have albums released by this label include Kings of Leon and The Killers.-Bands Signed with TCG :*Alien Crime Syndicate*El Perro Del Mar*Figurines...
to release the albums Dust to Dirt
Dust to Dirt
-Personnel:Alien Crime Syndicate*Joe Reineke – vocals, guitar*Jason Krevey – guitar, vocals*Jeff Rouse – bass, vocals*Nabil Ayers – drumsProduction personnel*Joe Reineke – production, mixing*Jon Ervie – engineering...
, XL from Coast to Coast
XL from Coast to Coast
XL from Coast to Coast is the third album by alternative rock group Alien Crime Syndicate released in 2002 through V2 and The Control Group, incorporating influences like The Replacements and Urge Overkill...
and Ten Songs in the Key of Betrayal
Ten Songs in the Key of Betrayal
-Personnel:Alien Crime Syndicate*Joe Reineke – vocals, guitar*Jeff Rouse – bass, vocals*Nabil Ayers – drumsAdditional personnel*Mike Davis – additional guitars on "Rescue", "The American Way", "Forever is Rock N' Roll"...
with the band. He later joined John Roderick's The Long Winters
The Long Winters
The Long Winters is an American indie rock band based in Seattle, Washington.-Early history:Singer-songwriter John Roderick was born in Seattle, Washington, and grew up in Anchorage, Alaska. He later returned to Seattle, formed the Bun Family Players and the The Western State Hurricanes...
, touring with Keane and releasing the album Putting the Days to Bed
Putting the Days to Bed
Putting the Days to Bed is the third full-length album by indie rock band the Long Winters. It was released in the US by Barsuk Records and distributed in Europe by Munich Records in 2006...
. His music store, Sonic Boom, was also named the top independent music store in the US by Rolling Stone
Rolling Stone
Rolling Stone is a US-based magazine devoted to music, liberal politics, and popular culture that is published every two weeks. Rolling Stone was founded in San Francisco in 1967 by Jann Wenner and music critic Ralph J...
magazine in 2006.
In April 2011, The Lemons reunited for a one-off show at Neumos in Seattle, opening for Duff McKagan's Loaded
Loaded (band)
Loaded is an American hard rock band from Seattle, Washington, formed in 1999. Since 2001, the band's line-up has included vocalist and rhythm guitarist Duff McKagan , lead guitarist Mike Squires and bassist Jeff Rouse Loaded (also known as Duff McKagan's Loaded) is an American hard rock band...
.
Musical style and influences
The Lemons have seen their music compared to the RamonesRamones
The Ramones were an American rock band that formed in the New York City neighborhood of Forest Hills, Queens, in 1974. They are often cited as the first punk rock group...
, Descendents
Descendents
The Descendents are an American punk rock band from Hermosa Beach, California. As of 2011, they have released six studio albums, three live albums, three compilation albums and three EPs. The Descendents broke up and reformed several times over the years, sometimes with different musicians...
, All
ALL (band)
All is an American punk band originally from Los Angeles, currently residing in Fort Collins, Colorado, formed by Descendents members Bill Stevenson, Karl Alvarez, and Stephen Egerton.-Formation and Cruz Records Years:...
and the New York Dolls
New York Dolls
The New York Dolls is an American rock band, formed in New York in 1971. The band's protopunk sound prefigured much of what was to come in the punk rock era; their visual style influenced the look of many new wave and 1980s-era glam metal groups, and they began the local New York scene that later...
while the band cite influences from bands such as The Beatles
The Beatles
The Beatles were an English rock band, active throughout the 1960s and one of the most commercially successful and critically acclaimed acts in the history of popular music. Formed in Liverpool, by 1962 the group consisted of John Lennon , Paul McCartney , George Harrison and Ringo Starr...
, Cheap Trick
Cheap Trick
Cheap Trick is an American rock band from Rockford, Illinois, formed in 1973. The band consists of members Robin Zander , Rick Nielsen , Tom Petersson , and Bun E...
, The Plimsouls
The Plimsouls
The Plimsouls are an American rock band formed in Paramount, California in 1978.-Formation:Formed by singer, guitarist and songwriter Peter Case , the Plimsouls began as a trio in 1978 which included Case, bassist Dave Pahoa and drummer Louie Ramírez...
and Kiss
KISS (band)
Kiss is an American rock band formed in New York City in January 1973. Well-known for its members' face paint and flamboyant stage outfits, the group rose to prominence in the mid to late 1970s on the basis of their elaborate live performances, which featured fire breathing, blood spitting,...
. Their music has been described as "thrash
Thrash metal
Thrash metal is a subgenre of heavy metal that is characterized usually by its fast tempo and aggression. Songs of the genre typically use fast percussive and low-register guitar riffs, overlaid with shredding-style lead work...
happy" and that "because they don't stay put neatly in a metal
Heavy metal music
Heavy metal is a genre of rock music that developed in the late 1960s and early 1970s, largely in the Midlands of the United Kingdom and the United States...
, punk
Punk rock
Punk 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...
or grunge
Grunge
Grunge is a subgenre of alternative rock that emerged during the mid-1980s in the American state of Washington, particularly in the Seattle area. Inspired by hardcore punk, heavy metal, and indie rock, grunge is generally characterized by heavily distorted electric guitars, contrasting song...
category, they're able to play for different audiences and with different bands." Reviewing Marvel for Allmusic, Steward Mason stated that the album "has a refreshingly post-grunge
Post-grunge
Post-grunge is a subgenre of alternative rock that emerged in the mid-1990s as a derivative of grunge, using the sounds and aesthetic of grunge, but with a more commercially acceptable tone...
sound" and that "the clever "Circle K Girl" and the New York Dolls-like glitter thrash of "All I Got" and "Keep Diggin'" are pure punk-pop gems."
Band members
Former members- Jimmy Paulson – lead vocals, lead guitar (1991–1995)
- Greg Lovell – lead vocals, guitar, backing vocals (1991–1996)
- Brent Saunders – bass (1991–1996)
- Jeff Ramirez – drums (1991)
- Rob Cunningham – drums (1991–1994)
- Nabil AyersNabil AyersNabil Ayers is an American musician and entrepreneur. He is a co-owner of Seattle's Sonic Boom Records, and the founder of The Control Group. As a drummer, he has performed with various acts, most recently The Long Winters. Ayers was described by music journalist Kurt B...
– drums (1994–1996) - Jeff Hiatt – lead guitar (1995–1996)