Filthy Friends | |
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Background information | |
Also known as | Super Earth (2014–2016) |
Origin | United States |
Genres | |
Years active | 2014–present |
Labels | Kill Rock Stars |
Spinoff of | |
Members | |
Past members |
Filthy Friends is an alt-rock supergroup based in Portland, Oregon. [1] The band is fronted by Corin Tucker (of Sleater-Kinney) and guitarist Peter Buck (formerly of R.E.M.) The other members of the band include alumni from bands such as the Minus 5, King Crimson, The Baseball Project and Steve Wynn & the Miracle 3.
The band, with the tentative name of Super Earth, first convened in the studio in 2014. This line-up consisted of Tucker, Buck, former Nirvana bassist Krist Novoselic, Minus 5 and Young Fresh Fellows multi-instrumentalist and singer Scott McCaughey, Fastbacks and Young Fresh Fellows guitarist Kurt Bloch, and Ministry drummer Bill Rieflin. [2] Regardless of the lineup, the band requested that it not be called a "supergroup," and considered the band to be a "passion-project." [3]
After Super Earth's first show in 2014, another band with a similar name sent a letter asking the group to change its name. [4] In 2016, now under the official moniker of Filthy Friends, the band performed a series of live shows in tribute to the late David Bowie. [5] Later that year, the group released its first song. "Despierta" – Spanish for "awake" – criticized then-U.S. presidential candidate Donald Trump, and was written as part of the 30 Days, 30 Songs project. [6] "Any Kind of Crowd", the group's debut single, was released on March 1, 2017, which was later included on a 7" that also featured a cover of Roxy Music's "Editions of You" as its B-side. It was released via Kill Rock Stars the following April. [7]
Their debut album, Invitation, was announced June 20, 2017, along with the release of the lead single "The Arrival". [8] Invitation was released that August. One reviewer noted that "the band dabbles in blues, throwback college rock, even T. Rex-style glam." [4] Although Novoselic and Rieflin played on the album, both had left the band by the time it was released. McCaughey took on Novoselic's bass duties and Rieflin was replaced by Linda Pitmon who had worked with both Buck and McCaughey in their band The Baseball Project. In an interview Buck said, "The first record was an accident really, we just wrote some songs when I had days off from making records with other people or my solo records...." [3]
In February 2019, the band announced its second studio album, Emerald Valley, which was released on May 3. The announcement came with the release of the single "Last Chance County." [9] According to Tucker, the songs on this album focus around the impact of climate change in the Northwest. [3] In a review in Pitchfork, Sash Geffen notes, that Emerald Valley ",,,sharpens the group’s political fangs, letting shiny happy instrumentation serve as a backdrop for protest songs about the pre-apocalypse." [1] EmeraldValley was supported by a nationwide tour with twelve dates. [10]
Creatively, the majority of Filthy Friends' songs are collaboration between Buck and Tucker, with Buck developing the music and Tucker providing vocals and guitar arrangements. [11] Tucker says she prefers the writing in person: "That's the way I want to write. It's easiest for me. I enjoy it more. I can do the songwriting with files, but for this band, I really enjoy doing it in person." [11]
Current members
Former members
Krist Anthony Novoselic is an American musician and activist. Novoselic co-founded and played bass for the rock band Nirvana.
Sleater-Kinney is an American rock band that formed in Olympia, Washington, in 1994. The band's lineup features Corin Tucker and Carrie Brownstein, following the departure of longtime member Janet Weiss in 2019. Sleater-Kinney originated as part of the riot grrrl movement and has become a key part of the American indie rock scene. The band is also known for its feminist and progressive politics.
Peter Lawrence Buck is an American musician and songwriter. He was a co-founder and the lead guitarist of the alternative rock band R.E.M. He also plays the banjo and mandolin on several R.E.M. songs. Throughout his career with R.E.M. (1980–2011), as well as during his subsequent solo career, Buck has also been at various times an official member of numerous 'side project' groups. These groups included Arthur Buck, Hindu Love Gods, The Minus 5, Tuatara, The Baseball Project, Robyn Hitchcock and the Venus 3, Tired Pony, The No-Ones, and Filthy Friends, each of which have released at least one full-length studio album. Additionally, the experimental combo Slow Music have released an official live concert CD. Another side project group called Full Time Men released an EP while Buck was a member. As well, ad hoc "supergroups" Bingo Hand Job, Musical Kings and Nigel & The Crosses have each commercially released one track.
The Minus 5 is an American pop rock band headed by musician Scott McCaughey of Young Fresh Fellows, often in partnership with R.E.M. guitarist Peter Buck.
Heavens to Betsy was an American punk band formed in Olympia, Washington in 1991 with vocalist and guitarist Corin Tucker and drummer Tracy Sawyer. The duo were part of the DIY riot grrrl, punk rock underground, and were Tucker's first band before she co-formed Sleater-Kinney.
Corin Lisa Tucker is an American singer, songwriter, and guitarist best known for her work with rock band Sleater-Kinney. Tucker is also a member of the alternative rock supergroup Filthy Friends, and previously recorded with the punk band Heavens to Betsy as well as The Corin Tucker Band.
Carrie Rachel Brownstein is an American musician, actress, writer, director, and comedian. She first came to prominence as a member of the band Excuse 17 before forming the rock trio Sleater-Kinney.
Sweet 75 was a band formed by Krist Novoselic in 1994 after the break-up of Nirvana. The band released one self-titled album before splitting up in 2000.
Scott Lewis McCaughey is an American singer, guitarist and songwriter and the leader of the Seattle and Portland-based bands The Young Fresh Fellows and The Minus 5. He was also an auxiliary member of the American rock band R.E.M. from 1994 until the band's break-up in 2011, contributing to the studio albums New Adventures in Hi-Fi, Up, Reveal, Around the Sun, Accelerate and Collapse into Now.
Sleater-Kinney is the debut studio album by the American rock band Sleater-Kinney, released in 1995 by Chainsaw Records. The album received favorable reviews from critics.
One Beat is the sixth studio album by the American rock band Sleater-Kinney, released on August 20, 2002, by Kill Rock Stars. It was produced by John Goodmanson and recorded between March and April 2002 at Jackpot! Studio in Portland, Oregon. The album peaked at number 107 in the United States on the Billboard 200 and entered the Billboard Top Independent Albums at number five. One Beat was very well received by critics. Praise centered on its cathartic musical delivery and progressive politics.
Dig Me Out is the third studio album by the American rock band Sleater-Kinney, released on April 8, 1997, by Kill Rock Stars. The album was produced by John Goodmanson and recorded from December 1996 to January 1997 at John and Stu's Place in Seattle, Washington. Dig Me Out marked the debut of Janet Weiss, who would become the band's longest-serving drummer. The music on the record was influenced by traditional rock and roll bands, while the lyrics deal with issues of heartbreak and survival. The album cover is an homage to the Kinks' 1965 album The Kink Kontroversy.
All Hands on the Bad One is the fifth studio album by the American rock band Sleater-Kinney, released on May 2, 2000, by Kill Rock Stars. The album was produced by John Goodmanson and recorded from December 1999 to January 2000 at Jackpot! Studio in Portland, Oregon and John & Stu's Place in Seattle, Washington. The music on the record ranges from softer melodies to fast punk rock guitar work, while the lyrics address issues such as women in rock, morality, eating disorders, feminism, music journalism, and media.
Call the Doctor is the second studio album by the American rock band Sleater-Kinney. It was released on March 25, 1996, by Chainsaw Records to critical acclaim.
Kurt Bloch is an American songwriter, guitarist, engineer and record producer.
The Baseball Project is a supergroup composed of Peter Buck, Mike Mills, Scott McCaughey, Steve Wynn and Linda Pitmon formed in 2007. The performers came together from discussions between McCaughey and Wynn at R.E.M.'s March 21, 2007 induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame at the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel in New York City. They invited Buck to play bass guitar and Pitmon on drums and recorded their first album, Volume 1: Frozen Ropes and Dying Quails later that year. Their first public appearance was on The Late Show with David Letterman in June of 2008, preceding the release of any recorded material.
Peter Buck is the debut solo album from Peter Buck. It has received positive critical reception.
1,000 Years is the first album by the Corin Tucker Band, released on October 5, 2010, and the first album Tucker released since Sleater-Kinney went on "hiatus" in 2006. She recorded the album along with Seth Lorinczi and Julianna Bright of both Golden Bears and Circus Lupus, as well as Sara Lund of Hungry Ghost and Unwound. Lorinzci was also the album's producer. The only single released from 1,000 Years was "Doubt".
Invitation is the debut album by alternative rock supergroup Filthy Friends; it was released on Kill Rock Stars in 2017.
The Center Won't Hold is the ninth studio album by American rock band Sleater-Kinney, released on August 16, 2019 by Mom + Pop Music. The album was produced by St. Vincent and is the last album with drummer Janet Weiss, who announced her departure from the band on July 1, 2019, a month before the album was released. Upon release, the album received generally favorable reviews from critics.