Veruca Salt (band)
Encyclopedia
Veruca Salt is an alternative rock
band founded in 1993
in Chicago, Illinois. Since its inception, the band's line-up has included vocalist-guitarist Louise Post
. Guitarist Stephen Fitzpatrick has been with the band since 1999 and drummer Kellii Scott has worked with the group on and off since 1999. Bassist Nicole Fiorentino has been with the band since 2006.
, the spoiled rich girl from the children's book Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
by Roald Dahl
, Veruca Salt was formed in Chicago by Louise Post
(guitar/vocals) and Nina Gordon
(guitar/vocals). Post and Gordon were introduced through mutual friend Lili Taylor
, and began playing music together. They wrote songs for a year and a half before being joined by Gordon's brother, Jim Shapiro
, on drums and Steve Lack on bass guitar.
The band had done a handful of shows when Jim Powers of Minty Fresh Records asked them to sign to the independent label.
The band's first release was the single "Seether"/"All Hail Me" on Minty Fresh Records, in 1994
. The single was a success and Veruca Salt accompanied Hole
on a tour, before releasing their first full-length album, American Thighs
, which eventually reached Gold status
.
After signing to Geffen Records
, the band quickly gained in popularity as "Seether" became an MTV
hit. A stop-gap EP recorded by Steve Albini
, Blow It Out Your Ass It's Veruca Salt
, was released in 1996.
Veruca Salt's popularity skyrocketed after their second full album, Eight Arms to Hold You
, was released in 1997
. Produced by Bob Rock
, the album generated the hit lead single "Volcano Girls
", which gained exposure as the opening theme to the teen comedy film Jawbreaker
. Veruca Salt performed another single, "Shutterbug", on Saturday Night Live
; however, instead of the featured musical group performing two songs as had been tradition, the musical performances were split between Sting and Veruca Salt. Shapiro left the band soon after the release of Eight Arms and was replaced by Stacy Jones (of Letters to Cleo
and now American Hi-Fi
). Jones toured with the band on the Eight Arms tour, but never recorded with them.
Songwriting was shared between Gordon and Post, though the two seldom collaborated. Rather, each would typically submit a complete song to the group and sing the lead vocal on that song, while the other would record backing vocals.
In 1996, Veruca Salt appeared as Pavement
's replacement band in their video "Painted Soldiers".
, was released in 2000). The undisclosed dispute between Gordon and Post has been described as "one of the greatest rock soap operas since Fleetwood Mac
or Hüsker Dü
."
Post, now the only original band member, recruited a new band, consisting of Stephen Fitzpatrick (guitar), Suzanne Sokol (bass guitar) and Jimmy Madla (drums), and continued to record and perform under the Veruca Salt name. The new band signed with Beyond Records. The first album with the new lineup was 2000's Resolver.
Suzanne Sokol left the band at the end of 2000. Post's friend, Gina Crosley, took her place. The new line-up toured in summer 2001, and spent time promoting Resolver in the UK. Crosley and Post then moved to Los Angeles
, where they lived together and wrote songs that appeared on the Officially Dead
EP. Crosley is credited with co-writing "Smoke & Mirrors", but left the band before the record was released. She also worked on songs that later appeared on IV
, but no credit is officially given.
In December 2002, both Resolver and its lead single "Born Entertainer
" were released, in Australia
through Embryo Records/MGM. Following the release of "Born Entertainer", the label released the single "Officially Dead", which contained newly recorded tracks as well as a remix of "The Same Person".
(LOSALT). The band went on tour as Post, Fitzpatrick, drummer Kellii Scott, and bass guitarist Nicole Fiorentino. Nicole Fiorentino currently plays bass with the Smashing Pumpkins. LOSALT was released and sold independently at the band's shows and via the website and included six new songs. The title of the EP is an extract from Zora Neale Hurston
's Their Eyes Were Watching God
. This preceded the full-length album, IV, released in September 2006
, accompanied by a U.S. tour. IV failed to chart in the US. The lead single, "So Weird", was released to radio at the end of October 2006; however, a video was never produced and the single failed to receive any significant radio play.
In 2007, the band recorded a cover of Neil Young
's song "Burned" for a 2007 Breast Cancer Benefit album.
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...
band founded in 1993
1993 in music
This is a summary of significant events in music in 1993.-January–February:*January 8 – The U.S. Postal Service issues an Elvis Presley stamp. The design was voted on in February 1992....
in Chicago, Illinois. Since its inception, the band's line-up has included vocalist-guitarist Louise Post
Louise Post
Louise Lightner Post is the lead vocalist and guitarist for alternative rock group Veruca Salt. She is a graduate of Barnard College, holding a Bachelor of Arts degree in English.-Musical career:...
. Guitarist Stephen Fitzpatrick has been with the band since 1999 and drummer Kellii Scott has worked with the group on and off since 1999. Bassist Nicole Fiorentino has been with the band since 2006.
1993-1998: formation and growth
Named after Veruca SaltVeruca Salt
Veruca Salt may refer to:*The character in the novel Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and the films based on the novel*Veruca Salt , the Chicago-based alternative rock band...
, the spoiled rich girl from the children's book Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory is a 1964 children's book by British author Roald Dahl. The story features the adventures of young Charlie Bucket inside the chocolate factory of the eccentric chocolatier, Willy Wonka....
by Roald Dahl
Roald Dahl
Roald Dahl was a British novelist, short story writer, fighter pilot and screenwriter.Born in Wales to Norwegian parents, he served in the Royal Air Force during the Second World War, in which he became a flying ace and intelligence agent, rising to the rank of Wing Commander...
, Veruca Salt was formed in Chicago by Louise Post
Louise Post
Louise Lightner Post is the lead vocalist and guitarist for alternative rock group Veruca Salt. She is a graduate of Barnard College, holding a Bachelor of Arts degree in English.-Musical career:...
(guitar/vocals) and Nina Gordon
Nina Gordon
Nina Rachel Shapiro Gordon is an American rock singer, and is the co-founder of the band Veruca Salt, having written the songs "Seether" and "Volcano Girls"...
(guitar/vocals). Post and Gordon were introduced through mutual friend Lili Taylor
Lili Taylor
Lili Anne Taylor is an American actress notable for her appearances in such award-winning indie films as Mystic Pizza, Say Anything..., Short Cuts and I Shot Andy Warhol, and the acclaimed TV show Six Feet Under....
, and began playing music together. They wrote songs for a year and a half before being joined by Gordon's brother, Jim Shapiro
Jim Shapiro (drummer)
James Gordon Shapiro, also called Jim Shapiro is an American rock musician.Shapiro is the brother of singer/guitarist Nina Gordon and the son of Robert Shapiro, former chairman of the board of Monsanto Company. He graduated from Yale University in 1987...
, on drums and Steve Lack on bass guitar.
The band had done a handful of shows when Jim Powers of Minty Fresh Records asked them to sign to the independent label.
The band's first release was the single "Seether"/"All Hail Me" on Minty Fresh Records, in 1994
1994 in music
This is a list of notable events in music that took place in the year 1994.-January–February:*January 25 – Alice in Chains release their Jar of Flies album which debuted at number one on the Billboard 200, becoming the first ever EP to do so....
. The single was a success and Veruca Salt accompanied Hole
Hole (band)
Hole is an American alternative rock band that originally formed in Los Angeles in 1989. The band is fronted by vocalist/songwriter and rhythm guitarist Courtney Love, who co-founded Hole with former songwriter/lead guitarist Eric Erlandson...
on a tour, before releasing their first full-length album, American Thighs
American Thighs
American Thighs is the first album by alternative rock band Veruca Salt. It was released through Minty Fresh Records on September 27, 1994, and re-released through DGC Records on November 8, 1994 . The title is a reference to a line from the AC/DC song "You Shook Me All Night Long"...
, which eventually reached Gold status
Music recording sales certification
Music recording sales certification is a system of certifying that a music recording has shipped or sold a certain number of copies, where the threshold quantity varies by type and by nation or territory .Almost all countries follow variations of the RIAA certification categories,...
.
After signing to Geffen Records
Geffen Records
Geffen Records is an American record label, owned by Universal Music Group, and operated as one third of UMG's Interscope-Geffen-A&M label group.-Beginnings:...
, the band quickly gained in popularity as "Seether" became an MTV
MTV
MTV, formerly an initialism of Music Television, is an American network based in New York City that launched on August 1, 1981. The original purpose of the channel was to play music videos guided by on-air hosts known as VJs....
hit. A stop-gap EP recorded by Steve Albini
Steve Albini
Steven 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...
, Blow It Out Your Ass It's Veruca Salt
Blow It Out Your Ass It's Veruca Salt
Blow It Out Your Ass It's Veruca Salt is an EP by Veruca Salt released in 1996. It followed the band's hit album American Thighs . The EP contains four songs, two by Nina Gordon and two by Louise Post....
, was released in 1996.
Veruca Salt's popularity skyrocketed after their second full album, Eight Arms to Hold You
Eight Arms to Hold You
Eight Arms to Hold You is an album by alternative rock band Veruca Salt. The album was released through Outpost/Geffen on February 11, 1997...
, was released in 1997
1997 in music
This is a list of notable events in music that took place in the year 1997.-January:*January 9 – David Bowie performs his 50th Birthday Bash concert at Madison Square Garden, New York City, USA with guests Frank Black, The Foo Fighters, Sonic Youth, Robert Smith of The Cure, Lou Reed, and Billy...
. Produced by Bob Rock
Bob Rock
Robert Jens Rock, , is a Canadian musician, sound engineer, and record producer best known for producing bands such as Aerosmith, The Cult, Bon Jovi, Mötley Crüe, 311, Metallica, Our Lady Peace, The Offspring and most recently Bush.-Payola$ and Rock and Hyde:Rock began his music career in Langford,...
, the album generated the hit lead single "Volcano Girls
Volcano Girls
"Volcano Girls" is a single by the American alternative rock band Veruca Salt, released in 1997 on their album Eight Arms to Hold You. It was written by Nina Gordon who also sang lead vocals, with Louise Post performing backup vocals...
", which gained exposure as the opening theme to the teen comedy film Jawbreaker
Jawbreaker (film)
Jawbreaker is an American black comedy satire film, directed by Darren Stein. It was released February 19, 1999. The film stars Rose McGowan, Rebecca Gayheart, Julie Benz, and Judy Greer as girls in an exclusive clique in their high school. Charlotte Ayanna has a non-speaking cameo role as a...
. Veruca Salt performed another single, "Shutterbug", on Saturday Night Live
Saturday Night Live
Saturday Night Live is a live American late-night television sketch comedy and variety show developed by Lorne Michaels and Dick Ebersol. The show premiered on NBC on October 11, 1975, under the original title of NBC's Saturday Night.The show's sketches often parody contemporary American culture...
; however, instead of the featured musical group performing two songs as had been tradition, the musical performances were split between Sting and Veruca Salt. Shapiro left the band soon after the release of Eight Arms and was replaced by Stacy Jones (of Letters to Cleo
Letters to Cleo
Letters to Cleo was an alternative rock band from Boston, Massachusetts perhaps best known for the 1993 single "Here & Now" from their full-length debut album Aurora Gory Alice...
and now American Hi-Fi
American Hi-Fi
American Hi-Fi is an American pop punk band from Los Angeles, California, which originally hailed from Boston, Massachusetts. The band consists of vocalist Stacy Jones, guitarist Jamie Arentzen, bassist Drew Parsons, and drummer Brian Nolan...
). Jones toured with the band on the Eight Arms tour, but never recorded with them.
Songwriting was shared between Gordon and Post, though the two seldom collaborated. Rather, each would typically submit a complete song to the group and sing the lead vocal on that song, while the other would record backing vocals.
In 1996, Veruca Salt appeared as Pavement
Pavement (band)
Pavement is an American alternative rock band that formed in Stockton, California in 1989. In their career, they achieved a significant cult following, and they were called the best band of the 1990s by prominent music critics Robert Christgau and Stephen Thomas Erlewine...
's replacement band in their video "Painted Soldiers".
1998-2005: Gordon's departure, reformation and Resolver
In 1998, Gordon left the band to pursue a solo career (her first album Tonight and the Rest of My LifeTonight and the Rest of My Life
Tonight and the Rest of My Life is the debut album from Veruca Salt co-founder, Nina Gordon. The album was recorded with Bob Rock at his Maui recording studio.-Track listing:*All songs written By Nina Gordon, except where noted.#"Now I Can Die" – 3:07...
, was released in 2000). The undisclosed dispute between Gordon and Post has been described as "one of the greatest rock soap operas since Fleetwood Mac
Fleetwood Mac
Fleetwood Mac are a British–American rock band formed in 1967 in London.The only original member present in the band is its eponymous drummer, Mick Fleetwood...
or Hüsker Dü
Hüsker Dü
Hüsker Dü was an American rock band formed in Saint Paul, Minnesota in 1979. The band's continual members were guitarist Bob Mould, bassist Greg Norton, and drummer Grant Hart....
."
Post, now the only original band member, recruited a new band, consisting of Stephen Fitzpatrick (guitar), Suzanne Sokol (bass guitar) and Jimmy Madla (drums), and continued to record and perform under the Veruca Salt name. The new band signed with Beyond Records. The first album with the new lineup was 2000's Resolver.
Suzanne Sokol left the band at the end of 2000. Post's friend, Gina Crosley, took her place. The new line-up toured in summer 2001, and spent time promoting Resolver in the UK. Crosley and Post then moved to Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
, where they lived together and wrote songs that appeared on the Officially Dead
Officially Dead
Officially Dead is an EP by the American alternative rock band Veruca Salt, released in 2003 on Embryo.The single was released in Australia and peaked at #13 on the Triple J top 100...
EP. Crosley is credited with co-writing "Smoke & Mirrors", but left the band before the record was released. She also worked on songs that later appeared on IV
IV (Veruca Salt album)
IV is the fourth full-length studio album by Veruca Salt. It was released on 12 September 2006 in the USA and on 25 September in Australia.-Track listing:#"So Weird" #"Centipede" #"Innocent"...
, but no credit is officially given.
In December 2002, both Resolver and its lead single "Born Entertainer
Born Entertainer
"Born Entertainer" is the first single from Veruca Salt's 2000 album, Resolver. It is presumed to be about the departure of Nina Gordon . It was released at the start of 2003 in Australia to promote the Australian release of the album Resolver."Born Entertainer" reached number one on the Triple J...
" were released, in Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
through Embryo Records/MGM. Following the release of "Born Entertainer", the label released the single "Officially Dead", which contained newly recorded tracks as well as a remix of "The Same Person".
2005-present: VSIV
In 2005, the band went through another line-up change with Crosley and Madla leaving, replaced by Solomon Snyder on bass guitar and Michael Miley on drums for the recording of the EP Lords of Sounds and Lesser ThingsLords of Sounds and Lesser Things
Lords of Sounds and Lesser Things is a 2005 EP released independently by the American alternative rock band Veruca Salt and self-distributed through their Velveteen Records label....
(LOSALT). The band went on tour as Post, Fitzpatrick, drummer Kellii Scott, and bass guitarist Nicole Fiorentino. Nicole Fiorentino currently plays bass with the Smashing Pumpkins. LOSALT was released and sold independently at the band's shows and via the website and included six new songs. The title of the EP is an extract from Zora Neale Hurston
Zora Neale Hurston
Zora Neale Hurston was an American folklorist, anthropologist, and author during the time of the Harlem Renaissance...
's Their Eyes Were Watching God
Their Eyes Were Watching God
Their Eyes Were Watching God is a 1937 novel and the best-known work by African American writer Zora Neale Hurston. Set in central and southern Florida in the early 20th century, the novel garnered attention and controversy at the time of its publication, and has come to be regarded as a seminal...
. This preceded the full-length album, IV, released in September 2006
2006 in music
This is a list of notable events in music that took place in the year 2006.-January:*January 10 – Eric Burdon releases his album Soul of a Man and begins touring with a new band....
, accompanied by a U.S. tour. IV failed to chart in the US. The lead single, "So Weird", was released to radio at the end of October 2006; however, a video was never produced and the single failed to receive any significant radio play.
In 2007, the band recorded a cover of Neil Young
Neil Young
Neil Percival Young, OC, OM is a Canadian singer-songwriter who is widely regarded as one of the most influential musicians of his generation...
's song "Burned" for a 2007 Breast Cancer Benefit album.
Discography
| Year | Album title | Label |
|---|---|---|
| 1994 | American Thighs American Thighs American Thighs is the first album by alternative rock band Veruca Salt. It was released through Minty Fresh Records on September 27, 1994, and re-released through DGC Records on November 8, 1994 . The title is a reference to a line from the AC/DC song "You Shook Me All Night Long"... |
Minty Fresh DGC/Minty Fresh (re-release) |
| 1996 | Blow It Out Your Ass It's Veruca Salt Blow It Out Your Ass It's Veruca Salt Blow It Out Your Ass It's Veruca Salt is an EP by Veruca Salt released in 1996. It followed the band's hit album American Thighs . The EP contains four songs, two by Nina Gordon and two by Louise Post.... (EP) |
DGC/Minty Fresh |
| 1997 | Eight Arms to Hold You Eight Arms to Hold You Eight Arms to Hold You is an album by alternative rock band Veruca Salt. The album was released through Outpost/Geffen on February 11, 1997... |
Outpost/Geffen |
| 2000 | Resolver | Beyond |
| 2003 | Officially Dead Officially Dead Officially Dead is an EP by the American alternative rock band Veruca Salt, released in 2003 on Embryo.The single was released in Australia and peaked at #13 on the Triple J top 100... (EP) |
Embryo Records |
| 2005 | Lords of Sounds and Lesser Things Lords of Sounds and Lesser Things Lords of Sounds and Lesser Things is a 2005 EP released independently by the American alternative rock band Veruca Salt and self-distributed through their Velveteen Records label.... (EP) |
Self-released |
| 2006 | IV IV (Veruca Salt album) IV is the fourth full-length studio album by Veruca Salt. It was released on 12 September 2006 in the USA and on 25 September in Australia.-Track listing:#"So Weird" #"Centipede" #"Innocent"... |
Sympathy For The Record Industry (US) and on Shock Records (AUS) |
| Year | Single title | Album taken from |
|---|---|---|
| 1994 | "Seether Seether (song) "Seether" is a single by the American alternative band Veruca Salt. It was backed with "All Hail Me". Both tracks appear on their 1994 debut album American Thighs. South African rock band Seether took their name from the song because it was played in the Detroit Tigers' television truck prior to a... " / "All Hail Me" |
American Thighs |
| 1995 | "Number One Blind Number One Blind "Number One Blind" is a song by Veruca Salt. It was released previously on the album American Thighs.-Track listing:#"Number One Blind" – 3:45#"Bodies" – 4:10#"Aurora" – 4:06- Personnel :... " |
|
| "Victrola" | ||
| 1997 | "Volcano Girls Volcano Girls "Volcano Girls" is a single by the American alternative rock band Veruca Salt, released in 1997 on their album Eight Arms to Hold You. It was written by Nina Gordon who also sang lead vocals, with Louise Post performing backup vocals... " |
Eight Arms to Hold You |
| "Shutterbug" | ||
| "Benjamin" | ||
| "The Morning Sad" (Promo Only) | ||
| "Straight" (Promo Only) | ||
| 2000 | "Born Entertainer Born Entertainer "Born Entertainer" is the first single from Veruca Salt's 2000 album, Resolver. It is presumed to be about the departure of Nina Gordon . It was released at the start of 2003 in Australia to promote the Australian release of the album Resolver."Born Entertainer" reached number one on the Triple J... " |
Resolver |
| "Only You Know Only You Know "Only You Know" is the eighth track and second single from Veruca Salt's 2000 album Resolver. It was released as a club-only promo single in 2000.... " (Promo Only) |
||
| 2003 | "Born Entertainer" (Australian Release) | |
| "Officially Dead Officially Dead Officially Dead is an EP by the American alternative rock band Veruca Salt, released in 2003 on Embryo.The single was released in Australia and peaked at #13 on the Triple J top 100... " |
||
| "Yeah Man" (Promo Only) | ||
| 2006 | "So Weird" | IV |
Chart performance
| Album | U.S. Billboard 200 Billboard 200 The Billboard 200 is a ranking of the 200 highest-selling music albums and EPs in the United States, published weekly by Billboard magazine. It is frequently used to convey the popularity of an artist or groups of artists... |
UK Albums Chart UK Albums Chart The UK Albums Chart is a list of albums ranked by physical and digital sales in the United Kingdom. It is compiled every week by The Official Charts Company and broadcast on a Sunday on BBC Radio 1 , and published in Music Week magazine and on the OCC website .To qualify for the UK albums chart... |
|---|---|---|
| American Thighs | 69 | 47 |
| Eight Arms To Hold You | 55 | DNC |
| Resolver | 171 | DNC |
| IV | DNC | DNC |
| Single | U.S. Hot Modern Rock Tracks | U.S. Mainstream Rock Tracks Mainstream Rock Tracks Hot Mainstream Rock Tracks is a ranking in Billboard magazine of the most-played songs on mainstream rock radio stations, a category that includes stations that play primarily rock music. Modern rock tracks are counted in the Alternative Songs chart.This chart began with the March 21, 1981, issue... |
UK Singles Chart UK Singles Chart The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ... |
Australia Triple J Hottest 100 Triple J Hottest 100 The Triple J Hottest 100 is an annual music poll, based on the votes of national Australian radio station Triple J listeners, in order to determine their favourite song of the year. Voting is conducted by the internet and begins roughly two weeks prior to the new year for the previous year's songs... |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| "Seether" | 8 | 61 | 6 | |
| "Number One Blind" | 20 | 68 | ||
| "Victrola" | ||||
| "Volcano Girls" | 8 | 9 | 56 | |
| "Shutterbug" | 38 | |||
| "Benjamin" | 75 | |||
| "Straight" | 39 |
External links
- Veruca Salt's official web site
- Veruca Salt at Rolling StoneRolling StoneRolling 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...