Some Velvet Sidewalk

Last updated
Some Velvet Sidewalk
Svsbandpic.jpg
Background information
OriginEugene, Oregon, US
Genres Lo-fi, grunge, noise rock, noise pop, indie rock, punk rock
Years active1987–1997
Labels K Records
Past membersAl Larsen
Robert Christie
Tobi Vail
Louise Olsen
Don Blair
Martin Bernier
Paul Schuster
Website http://www.propertyistheft.com/svs/

Some Velvet Sidewalk was an experimental lo-fi rock band from Olympia, Washington on the independent label K Records.

Contents

History

Some Velvet Sidewalk was formed in Eugene, Oregon, in 1987 by Al Larsen (vocals/guitar) and Robert Christie (drums). Their first release was From Playground 'Til Now , and was independently released on cassette in 1988. Somewhere around this time, Jenny Olay joined on second guitar and went on the band's first American jaunt with the Go Team, Rich Jensen, Spook & The Zombies, and Mecca Normal. In 1990, Larsen along with Tobi Vail (drums) and Louise Olsen (bass) recorded the album, Shipwreck. Vail had previously played in Go Team and would go on to form Bikini Kill later that same year [1] . Olsen had previously played in the Australian band Matrimony and would go on to form Viva Knievel with Kathleen Hanna later in 1990 [2] . The release of this album was heavily delayed, but it was eventually released in 1995.


Bill Karren (later of Bikini Kill) was an early associate of the band and contributed guitar on the live version of "Snow." on Appetite For Extinction. Mike Johnson (later of Dinosaur Jr.) played drums on "alright" on Appetite For Extinction. Donna Dresch (later of Team Dresch) appears on two songs on the Shipwreck album.

Just before the 1990 release of their first full album, Appetite For Extinction , Robert Christie left the band and was replaced by Don Blair and bass player Martin Bernier, whom Larsen had found in a free musician's wanted ad.

A short tour of small Pacific NW towns quickly followed with D.C. band Scream, of which Dave Grohl was a member and it was Some Velvet Sidewalk that accompanied Scream when Kurt Cobain first met Grohl at a small party at Slim Moon's home.[ citation needed ]

This new line-up soon recorded with Calvin Johnson in Yo Yo Studios along with Pat Maley what would become known as the "Pumpkin Patch" single.

They went back to the studio in 1991 with producer and musician Steve Fisk to record Avalanche , which released in 1992. They spent 1992 and 1993 touring and released a short EP called I Scream. Following suit, the next album, Whirlpool , showed up in 1994. Ryan Baldoz of Olympia joined on second guitar around this time.

SVS soon added keyboardist Paul Schuster to the lineup to record the 1997 album, Generate!. The final true SVS release, the EP The Lowdown, was released in late 1997.

The band broke up following an American tour, and the members went their separate ways. In 1999, Larsen compiled and released a posthumous SVS album called Original Love Rock Masters. This album is a compilation that contains live songs, garage demos, and various side projects.

Influence

Some Velvet Sidewalk songs have been covered by several artists. Crayon recorded a version of "Pumpkin Patch" and The Pastels recorded and released a version of "Boardwalkin'". [3] “Mousetrap” has been recorded by The Thirsty Giants (2023), Skin A Buck (Open Up and Bleed, 2020), Jeneric (2015) [4] and the Greek noise-rock group Postblue (Phase, 2004). A version of the song “Snow.” was recorded and released by Australian group Half. [5] Artists that have performed Some Velvet Sidewalk songs live include Spider and the Webs (“Dinosaur”) [6] ,Oswald 5-0 (“Loch Ness”) and New Zealand group Threat.Meet.Protocol [7]

Chat Pile singer Raygun Busch has cited Some Velvet Sidewalk as inspiration for his stage performance style [8] [9] . In a 2023 interview for Gut Feeling, Adam Miller of Chromatics_(band) stated “the first show I ever did was when I had this band called Pumpkin Patch, which was named after a Some Velvet Sidewalk song.” [10]

Some Velvet Sidewalk is mentioned in the poem “My 1993” by acclaimed poet and critic Stephanie Burt, which is included in the book We Are Mermaids (2022, Graywolf Press) [11] [12]

In the published journals of Kurt Cobain (Journals_(Cobain)), the Nirvana singer/guitarist included Some Velvet Sidewalk in a list with the heading “bands I like.” [13]

Later

Al Larsen continued his musical career with bands such as the Polar Bears, the Evil Tambourines and Melting Igloo. In 2005, he released a solo album titled The Hardline According to Danny & the Dinosaur on his own label, Property Is Theft. Larsen is now an assistant professor and Coordinator of Creative Media at Champlain College. Martin Bernier joined Seattle's the Heroic Trio, which featured Australian ex-pat and future Welcome bassist Jo Klaxton and drummer Lenni Rennals. They released one full-length album and one three-song EP on La Push Records. Following Bernier's exit from that band he joined Olympia's Bunnyfoot Charm. Don Blair went on to play drums in Totfinder along with ex-Sleep Capsule member Russ Klatt. He now plays in the experimental Waves.

The original drummer and founding member, Robert Christie, was killed in a car accident February 2001 along with his wife, Denise and two sons, Ted and John. [14]

Band members

Discography

Albums

EPs

Singles

Compilation appearances

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dave Grohl</span> American grunge/rock musician (born 1969)

David Eric Grohl is an American musician. He is the founder of the rock band Foo Fighters, for which he is the lead singer, guitarist, and principal songwriter. Prior to forming Foo Fighters, he was the drummer of the grunge rock band Nirvana from 1990 to 1994.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kurt Cobain</span> American rock musician (1967–1994)

Kurt Donald Cobain was an American musician who was the lead vocalist, guitarist, primary songwriter, and a founding member of the grunge band Nirvana. Through his angsty songwriting and anti-establishment persona, his compositions widened the thematic conventions of mainstream rock music. He was heralded as a spokesman of Generation X and is widely recognized as one of the most influential alternative rock musicians.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Breeders</span> American alternative rock band

The Breeders are an American alternative rock band based in Dayton, Ohio, consisting of members Kim Deal, her twin sister Kelley Deal, Josephine Wiggs and Jim Macpherson (drums).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Beat Happening</span> American indie pop band

Beat Happening was an American indie pop band formed in Olympia, Washington, in 1982. Calvin Johnson, Heather Lewis, and Bret Lunsford have been the band's continual members. Beat Happening were early leaders in the American indie pop and lo-fi movements, noted for their use of primitive recording techniques, disregard for the technical aspects of musicianship, and songs with subject matters of a carefree or coy nature.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Screaming Trees</span> American rock band

Screaming Trees were an American rock band formed in Ellensburg, Washington, in 1984 by vocalist Mark Lanegan, guitarist Gary Lee Conner, bassist Van Conner, and drummer Mark Pickerel. Pickerel was replaced by Barrett Martin in 1991. Screaming Trees became known as one of the pioneers of grunge along with Melvins, Mudhoney, U-Men, Skin Yard, Soundgarden, Green River, and Malfunkshun, among others. Although widely associated with grunge, the band's sound incorporated hard rock and psychedelic elements.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bikini Kill</span> American punk rock band

Bikini Kill is an American punk rock band formed in Olympia, Washington, in October 1990. The group originally consisted of singer and songwriter Kathleen Hanna, guitarist Billy Karren, bassist Kathi Wilcox, and drummer Tobi Vail. The band pioneered the riot grrrl movement, with feminist lyrics and fiery performances. Their music is characteristically abrasive and hardcore-influenced. After two full-length albums, several EPs and two compilations, they disbanded in 1997. The band reunited for tours in 2019 and 2022, with Erica Dawn Lyle on guitar in place of Karren.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bratmobile</span> American punk band

Bratmobile is an American punk band from Olympia, Washington, formed in 1991. They are known for being one of the first-generation "riot grrrl" bands. The band was influenced by several eclectic musical styles, including elements of pop, surf, and garage rock.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Butch Vig</span> American musician and record producer

Bryan David "Butch" Vig is an American musician, record producer, and songwriter who is the drummer and co-producer of the rock band Garbage. Known for producing the diamond-selling Nirvana album Nevermind (1991), Vig also produced for several other alternative rock acts of the 1990s, including the Smashing Pumpkins, L7, and Sonic Youth. Some notable production credits of Vig include L7's Bricks are Heavy (1992) and the Smashing Pumpkins' Siamese Dream (1993).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">K Records</span> Independent record label in Olympia, Washington

K Records is an independent record label in Olympia, Washington founded in 1982. Artists on the label included early releases by Beck, Modest Mouse and Built to Spill. The record label has been called "key to the development of independent music" since the 1980s.

Tobi Celeste Vail is an American independent musician, music critic and feminist activist from Olympia, Washington. She was a central figure in the riot grrl scene—she coined the spelling of "grrl"—and she started the zine Jigsaw. A drummer, guitarist and singer, she was a founding member of the band Bikini Kill. Vail has collaborated in several other bands figuring in the Olympia music scene. Vail writes for eMusic.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Half Japanese</span> American punk rock band

Half Japanese is an American art punk band formed by brothers Jad and David Fair in 1974, after their family's relocation to Uniontown, Maryland.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Screaming Tribesmen</span> Australian rock band

The Screaming Tribesmen were an Australian rock band formed in Brisbane, Queensland in 1981 by mainstay Mick Medew on lead vocals and lead guitar. With various line-ups they released three studio albums, Bones and Flowers, Blood Lust (1990) and Formaldehyde (1993), before disbanding in 1998. They reformed in 2011 for performances until June 2012. Australian musicologist, Ian McFarlane, described how they, "fashioned a memorable brand of 1960s-inspired pop rock that combined equal parts existential lyric angst, melodic inventiveness and strident guitar riffs."

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Drain You</span> 1991 song by Nirvana

"Drain You" is a song by American rock band Nirvana, written by vocalist and guitarist, Kurt Cobain. It is the eighth track on their second album, Nevermind, released in September 1991. The song was released as a promotional single in late 1991, and also appeared as a b-side on UK retail editions of the first single from that album, "Smells Like Teen Spirit".

Fecal Matter was a punk rock band from Aberdeen, Washington. The group was formed in 1985 by Kurt Cobain, the future frontman of Nirvana, along with Dale Crover of the Melvins and drummer Greg Hokanson. Melvins members Buzz Osborne and Mike Dillard appeared in a later version of the band during rehearsals the following year. The band was short-lived, disbanding in 1986.

<i>The Singles</i> (Bikini Kill album) 1998 compilation album by Bikini Kill

The Singles is a compilation album of three singles by punk rock band Bikini Kill. The album was released in 1998 by Kill Rock Stars. Joan Jett produces, plays guitar and sings on the first three tracks. In 2018, Bikini Kill reissued the album on CD and 12" vinyl.

Donna Dresch is an American punk rock musician, perhaps best known as founder, guitarist and bass guitarist of Team Dresch.

<i>Reject All American</i> 1996 studio album by Bikini Kill

Reject All American is the second studio album by the American punk rock band Bikini Kill, released in 1996 by Kill Rock Stars.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mark Pickerel</span> American musician

Mark Pickerel is an American musician best known as the original drummer for the alternative rock band Screaming Trees. He is also an active session musician and has released several solo albums as a singer/guitarist.

<i>I Scream</i> (EP) 1993 EP by Some Velvet Sidewalk

I Scream is an EP by Some Velvet Sidewalk, released in 1993.

<i>The C.D. Version of the First Two Records</i> 1994 compilation album by Bikini Kill

The C.D. Version of the First Two Records is a compilation by punk rock band Bikini Kill, collecting their 1992 eponymous EP and their half of the 1993 EP Yeah Yeah Yeah Yeah, an album they shared with the band Huggy Bear. It was released in 1994 on Kill Rock Stars and was the first Bikini Kill release on CD. The album was re-released by Bikini Kill Records on June 23, 2015 as simply The First Two Records and featured additional tracks from the expanded re-release of Yeah Yeah Yeah Yeah.

References

  1. ↑ Bikini Kill. "About". Bikini Kill. Retrieved 2024-06-04.{{cite web}}: Check |url= value (help)
  2. ↑ Scott, Maggie (9 December 2021). "It's time to correct the record about Matrimony, Australia's lost riot grrl band". Tone Deaf. Brag Media. Retrieved 2024-06-04.
  3. ↑ Strong, Martin Charles (2003). The Great Indie Discography. Canongate U.S.
  4. ↑ Jeneric. "Things that Wiggle (demo)". bandcamp. Retrieved 2024-05-29.
  5. ↑ "Snow | Half | Garden Seat". Bandcamp. Retrieved March 10, 2024.
  6. ↑ U, Sarah (2012-06-13). "SNAZZY BOUQUET: This Town". SNAZZY BOUQUET. Retrieved 2024-03-12.
  7. ↑ tauranga musicsucks (25 April 2012). "0:00 / 2:29 Threat.Meet.Protocol: Under the Tauranga Harbour Bridge". YouTube. Retrieved 2024-05-29.
  8. ↑ "Interview With Chat Pile". The Nu Metal Agenda. 2023-10-11. Retrieved 2024-06-04.
  9. ↑ King, Pat (2022-07-27). "Chat Pile: The Best of What's Next". Paste. Paste Media Group. Retrieved 2024-06-04.
  10. ↑ Adams, Gregory (2023-11-15). "Adam Miller reflects on hurled barstools and Vogue-ing in Vancouver". Gut Feeling. Retrieved 2024-04-01.
  11. ↑ Burt, Stephanie (2022-06-09). "Three Poems by Stephanie Burt". Scoundrel Time. Retrieved 2024-06-04.
  12. ↑ Janecek, C. E. (2022-06-09). "Book Reviews: We Are Mermaids". Center for Literary Publishing. Colorado State University. Retrieved 2024-06-04.
  13. ↑ Cobain, Kurt (2003). Journals. Riverhead. p. 229.
  14. ↑ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2020-12-30. Retrieved 2015-06-18.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.