Formed in 1986, Washington D.C.'s Shudder To Think released their first album Curses,Spells, and Vodoo Mooses on the tiny D.C. label Sammich Records. They were playing out throughout the D.C. area, throwing most punk rockers for a loop. They brought a strange new style to the traditional punk of that time(Minor Threat, Scream, Bad Brains. The singer, Craig Wedren sang in an almost opperatic fasion. His melodic voice soaring over the impeccable drumming of Mike Russel, the thrashing guitar of Chris Matthews, and the bounding bass lines of Stuart Hill.
After hearing them, Jeff Nelson(Minor Threat) and Ian Mackaye(Minor Threat, Fugazi)co-founders of Dischord Records asked them to join their team.
The result was 1989's LP Ten Spot. A punk rock masterpiece, released on cassette and vinyl. This all killer, no filler classic includes stand-out tracks Jade-Dust Eyes,Rag,About Three Dreams,Speak,and On The Rain.
Their follow up record, recorded in London, was 1990's Funeral at the Movies. Also released only on cassette and vinyl,It spawned what could argueably their biggest hit(as if they had one),Red House. Also included are Chocolate, Lies about the Sky, Funeral at the Movies, and the Hendrix cover Crosstown Traffic.
These two LP's were combined on one CD in 1991,Funeral at the Movies & Ten Spot.
In 1992 the released their last full Dischord Album, Get Your Goat. Their Mix of the classic punk-thrash that they were known for, with a desisive jazz feel made this release one of their greatest artistic achievments of all time. Standout tracks include Love Catastrophe, Shake your halo down, Pebbles, and the hair pillow.
During the tour for this album, Chris decided he was going to leave, to persue a career in Archeaology. He played his last show on New Years Eve,1992 in D.C.
He was soon replaced by Nathan Larson, the bass player for the popular punk band Swiz.
A longtime friend of Craigs, he was the perfect fit. They then set off for a tour of Europe with Fugazi, a tour that would see the departure of another founding member, drummer Mike Russell.
Not wanting to stop playing, Stuart,Craig,and Nathan recruited Jawbox drummer Adam Wade. They soon after recorded a cover song for Sweet Relief, A benefit for Victoria Williams. The song, Animal Wild, gave shudder fans a taste of what was to come. They released one more 7 inch on Dischord, Hit Liquor, and signed a deal with Epic Records.
Pony Express Record, released in 1994, was considered an Avant-Garde masterpiece. Filled with complex timings, strange chord structures and Craigs trademark soprano, this album was considered by many Shudder fans a direct extension of Get your Goat. They toured with Smashing Pumpkins and the Foo Fighters, as well as headined a tour with Sunny Day Real Estate.
Their next album, 50,000 B.C., was a total about face for the envelope pushing band. Filled with cathcy pop songs, and a remake of 90's Red House, this album was a dissappointment to some fair weather fans, but overall, a great record. Adam Wade Appears on only one song, "Your gonna look fine,Love". He was replaced by Kevin March of the Dambuilders.
A soundtrack for the movie High-Art followed. Pretty much made with beat machines and processors, this was the biggest let-down to Shudder fans.
But they Followed that soundtrack with a soundtrack for the motion picture First Love,Last Rites. Songs written to seem like they span the 20th century, The songs were sung by guest vocalists. Appearing are the late Jeff Buckley, Billy Corgan, Cheap Trick's Robin Zander, and many others.
similar to 50,000 B.C., This last Shudder to Think album is full of beautiful,sing-along pop.
They recorded two songs for the motion picture Velvet Goldmine, and called it quits.
Nathan had a side project called Mind Science of the Mind, with Joan Wasser and Kevin March(the Dambuilders)
and Mary Timony(Helium).
We can only hope that the stars will allign one more time, so we can be blessed with some more great music.
But for now, their influence can be heard in every new,cheap "emo"(this word sucks)band.
Bio written by: fatsonannie |
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