While many bands might stake such a claim for my money, no group better captures the spirit of 1990s American indie rock than Superchunk.
The pride of Chapel Hill, NC, Superchunk followed the do-it-yourself ethic to the letter; they operated by their own rules, largely ignored whatever trends were dominating the moment, and rejected all major-label advances in favor of the unlimited freedom afforded by owning their own company, the highly successful Merge Records.
The way in which they did business and their refusal to operate on any terms other than their own, helped create a blueprint for many bands that followed. And while their resistance to the overtures of the music industry may have deprived them of the wider audience their music deserved (and the income that goes with that), one gets the sense that had they to do it over, they wouldn’t change a thing.
Superchunk was formed in 1989 by singer/guitarist McCaughan, bassist Laura Ballance, drummer Chuck Garrison, and guitarist Jack McCook. Initially named Chunk they added the “Super” prefix in order to avoid confusion with a similarly named New York City jazz band. McCaughan and Ballance jointly owned the fledgling Merge Label, and using what meager savings they had released the band’s first single, the immediately engaging “What Do I” later that year.
Months later “Slack Motherf*cker”, a blistering tirade inspired by a lazy Kinko’s co-worker, became one of the definitive indie anthems of the era, leading to the release of their self titled full length album. Suddenly Superchunk found themselves at the forefront of a new and promising movement.
As the success of acts like Nirvana and Pearl Jam put Seattle on the musical map, industry heads scrambled to locate the next alternative rock hotbed. Chapel Hill, home to The Mayflies, Archers of Loaf, Polvo, and others, became the consensus choice, and Superchunk was tapped as the Next Big Thing.
The quartet (with guitarist Jim Wilbur replacing McCook) quickly became engaged in a major-label bidding war; they defiantly stuck to their guns, remaining on Merge for their brilliant 1991 sophomore effort No Pocky for Kitty, which thanks to a distribution deal with Matador Records was able to reach a large audience.
Pairing with Matador was another brilliant move on Superchunk’s part: The larger label would handle the business side of things while the band would concentrate on making music. Tossing Seeds, a collection of singles and odd tracks, followed soon after. The band took most of 1993 off but returned a year later with the superb On the Mouth, highlighted by the singles “Mower” and “The Question Is How Fast.”
In addition to their relentless touring and recording schedule, McCaughan released his own solo album (1994’s I Hope Your Heart Is Not Brittle) as well as forming his side project Portastatic. Yet even as media attention shifted to other climes and styles Superchunk forged ahead, adopting a schedule roughly equaling two tours and one album per year. After the 1996 EP Laughter Guns and the full length Indoor Living they again went on hiatus, returning in 1999 with Come Pick Me Up.
By 2001’s Here’s to Shutting Up the band had begun to lose steam. While still a fine album of its own right, it was becoming clear that Superchunk needed a break. With the exception of the double disc Cup of Sand, another collection of singles, odd tracks, and discards, the four band members largely went their separate ways. While they contributed to various soundtracks and added a few songs to Comedy Central’s repertoire of hipster sounds for the most part Superchunk took a back seat to other endeavors. But times change and at some point we often move forward to go back.
In 2010 Superchunk announced they would embark on a major tour in support of an album of all new material. Majesty Shredding was a triumphant return, a four star release from a band that many had forgotten. The soon to be released I Hate Music is already gathering tremendous press and promises to reflect the next chapter of the band’s re-emergence.
But playing to appreciative audiences has always been the band’s forte, and while Superchunk can easily fill larger venues, playing at the Grey Eagle is right up their alley. It affords them the opportunity to road test the new songs, to chat with some old friends, and to follow the same “we do it our way” attitude that has served them well for more than two decades. Why mess with a good thing?
If You Go: Superchunk, Friday, August 23, with opening act The Parting Gifts. Tickets are $14 in advance, $16 day of show for this all ages event. Doors open at 8 p.m., the show starts at 9 p.m. The Grey Eagle, 185 Clingman Ave., Asheville. For more information please call (828) 232-5800 or visit www.thegreyeagle.com
