Range Life (song)

Last updated
"Range Life"
Pavement - Range Life (Single).jpg
Single by Pavement
from the album Crooked Rain, Crooked Rain
A-side "Range Life"
B-side
  • "Raft"
  • "Coolin' By Sound"
ReleasedJanuary 1995
RecordedAugust–September 1993
Studio Random Falls Studio (New York City, New York)
Genre
Length4:54
Label Big Cat (UK)
Songwriter(s) Stephen Malkmus
Producer(s) Pavement
Pavement singles chronology
"Gold Soundz"
(1994)
"Range Life"
(1995)
"Rattled by the Rush"
(1995)

"Range Life" is a song by American indie rock band Pavement, the third single from their 1994 album Crooked Rain, Crooked Rain .

Contents

Background

The single was not commercially released in the United States. It was issued by the band's UK label at the time, Big Cat Records. Both B-sides are outtakes from the Crooked Rain, Crooked Rain sessions and are included on the 2004 deluxe reissue of that album. This song was one of many to be included in the group's greatest hits album Quarantine the Past: The Best of Pavement .

Controversy

The song attracted attention with controversial lyrics that seemed to mock alternative rock superstars the Smashing Pumpkins and the Stone Temple Pilots; Pumpkins frontman Billy Corgan expressed his displeasure in magazine interviews, while songwriter Stephen Malkmus maintained that his words had been misinterpreted and no insult was intended. Regardless, Pavement, which was due to tour for Lollapalooza in 1994, got kicked out when the Smashing Pumpkins, the headlining act, threatened to cancel their dates if Pavement performed. Pavement would eventually play Lollapalooza the next year. An early 1993 demo of the song did not feature the controversial verse; guitarist Spiral Stairs recalled in 2004 that when Malkmus first revealed these new lyrics to his bandmates at the New York City recording sessions for Crooked Rain, Crooked Rain , "we almost lost our lunch from laughing so much." [3]

Track listing

Europe release

All tracks are written by Stephen Malkmus except where noted.

No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Range Life" 5:01
2."Raft" 3:48
3."Coolin' By Sound" Scott Kannberg 2:53
US promo
No.TitleLength
1."Range Life (Edit)"4:54
2."Range Life (Uncensored)"4:54

Related Research Articles

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

The Smashing Pumpkins are an American alternative rock band from Chicago. Formed in 1988 by frontman, guitarist and primary composer Billy Corgan, bassist D'arcy Wretzky, guitarist James Iha and drummer Jimmy Chamberlin, the band has undergone many line-up changes. The current lineup features Corgan, Chamberlin, Iha and guitarist Jeff Schroeder.

<i>Siamese Dream</i> 1993 studio album by the Smashing Pumpkins

Siamese Dream is the second studio album by American alternative rock band the Smashing Pumpkins, released on July 27, 1993, on Virgin Records. The album has received widespread acclaim from critics and audiences alike, with the album's musical influences and lyrical material standing out compared to other releases during the alternative rock and grunge movements of its time. The album has since been considered "one of the finest alt-rock albums of all time".

<i>Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness</i> 1995 studio album by The Smashing Pumpkins

Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness is the third studio album by American alternative rock band The Smashing Pumpkins, released on October 24, 1995, in the United Kingdom and a day later in the United States on Virgin Records. Produced by frontman Billy Corgan with Flood and Alan Moulder, the 28-track album was released as a two-disc CD and triple LP. The album features a wide array of styles.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pavement (band)</span> US indie rock band

Pavement is an American indie rock band that formed in Stockton, California, in 1989. For most of their career, the group consisted of Stephen Malkmus, Scott Kannberg, Mark Ibold (bass), Steve West (drums) and Bob Nastanovich. Initially conceived as a recording project, the band at first avoided press or live performances, while attracting considerable underground attention with their early releases. Gradually evolving into a more polished band, Pavement recorded five full-length albums and ten EPs over the course of their decade-long career, though they disbanded with some acrimony in 1999 as the members moved on to other projects. In 2010, they undertook a well-received reunion tour, with another international tour scheduled for 2022 and 2023.

<i>Adore</i> (album) 1998 studio album by The Smashing Pumpkins

Adore is the fourth studio album by the American alternative rock band the Smashing Pumpkins, released on June 2, 1998, by Virgin Records. After the multi-platinum success of Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness and a subsequent yearlong world tour, follow-up Adore was considered "one of the most anticipated albums of 1998" by MTV. Recording the album proved to be a challenge as the band members struggled with lingering interpersonal problems and musical uncertainty in the wake of three increasingly successful rock albums and the departure of drummer Jimmy Chamberlin. Frontman Billy Corgan would later characterize Adore as made by "a band falling apart". Corgan was also going through a divorce and the death of his mother while recording the album.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Stephen Malkmus</span> American musician (born 1966)

Stephen Joseph Malkmus is an American musician best known as the primary songwriter, lead singer and guitarist of the indie rock band Pavement. He currently performs with Stephen Malkmus and the Jicks and as a solo artist.

<i>Slanted and Enchanted</i> 1992 studio album by Pavement

Slanted and Enchanted is the debut studio album by American indie rock band Pavement, released on April 20, 1992 by Matador Records. It is the only Pavement album to feature drummer Gary Young.

<i>Crooked Rain, Crooked Rain</i> 1994 studio album by Pavement

Crooked Rain, Crooked Rain is the second studio album by American indie rock band Pavement, released on February 14, 1994 by Matador Records. The album saw the band move on towards a more accessible rock sound than that of their more lo-fi debut Slanted and Enchanted and achieve moderate success with the single "Cut Your Hair". The album also saw original drummer Gary Young replaced by Steve West. It was a UK Top 20 hit upon release, although it was not so successful in the US charts.

<i>Wowee Zowee</i> 1995 studio album by Pavement

Wowee Zowee is the third studio album by American indie rock band Pavement, released on April 11, 1995, by Matador Records. Most of it was recorded at Easley Recording in Memphis, Tennessee, where some members of the band had previously worked on Silver Jews' 1994 album Starlite Walker. The album showcases a more experimental side of the band, marking a return to the clatter and unpredictability of their early recordings after the more accessible sound of their 1994 studio album Crooked Rain, Crooked Rain. Its eclectic nature ranges from mellow yet distorted melodies to noise and punk rock, while the lyrics generally explore humorous and cryptic themes. At nearly one hour long, Wowee Zowee is Pavement's longest studio album, filling three sides of a vinyl record. Side four was left blank.

<i>Slay Tracks: 1933–1969</i> 1989 EP by Pavement

Slay Tracks: 1933–1969 is the debut EP by American indie rock band Pavement. Pavement—at that time, a duo of just its two founding members Stephen Malkmus and Scott Kannberg (guitar)—recorded Slay Tracks with producer and future member Gary Young (drums) during a four-hour session. Pavement self-released the EP as a 7" vinyl record on the band's own record label Treble Kicker in 1989. The music of Slay Tracks was influenced by indie and punk rock bands such as Swell Maps and The Fall, and many of the lyrics were inspired by life in the band's hometown of Stockton, California.

<i>Demolition Plot J-7</i> 1990 EP by Pavement

Demolition Plot J-7 is the second EP by American indie rock band Pavement, released on June 1, 1990. The EP was the band's first release on Chicago independent label Drag City, and its first release that was not self-issued. Demolition Plot J-7 shared many of the same indie and punk rock influences of Pavement's 1989 debut Slay Tracks: 1933–1969, but also diversified the group's sound by incorporating keyboards.

<i>Watery, Domestic</i> 1992 EP by Pavement

Watery, Domestic is the fourth EP by American indie rock band Pavement. It is their final release to feature drummer Gary Young as a member.

<i>Crooked Rain, Crooked Rain: LAs Desert Origins</i> 2004 compilation album by Pavement

Crooked Rain, Crooked Rain: LA's Desert Origins is a compilation album by Pavement released on October 26, 2004. It contains the band's 1994 album, Crooked Rain, Crooked Rain, in its entirety, as well as outtakes and other rarities from that era, some of which had previously been unreleased.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cut Your Hair</span> 1994 single by Pavement

"Cut Your Hair" is a song by American rock band Pavement from their second album, Crooked Rain, Crooked Rain. It was written by Pavement songwriter and lead singer Stephen Malkmus. The song snidely attacks the importance of image in the music industry. In one verse, Malkmus sarcastically recites a fictitious ad looking for a musician to join a band: "advertising looks and chops a must/ no big hair".

Robert Nastanovich is an American musician and member of the indie rock band Pavement, as well as a former member of Silver Jews, Ectoslavia, Pale Horse Riders, and Misshapen Lodge.

Christopher Scott Kannberg, known professionally as Scott Kannberg and Spiral Stairs, is an American musician best known for being a founding member of the indie-rock band Pavement serving as guitarist and occasional lead vocalist. He also headed the band Preston School of Industry, and has been a solo artist.

<i>Major Leagues</i> (EP) 1999 EP by Pavement

Major Leagues is an EP by indie band Pavement. It was released on October 12, 1999, on Matador Records.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pavement discography</span>

The discography of Pavement, a Stockton, California-based indie rock group, consists of five studio albums, four double-length reissues, one compilation, ten extended plays, and thirteen singles. This list does not include material performed by members or former members of Pavement that was recorded with Stephen Malkmus and the Jicks, Silver Jews, Preston School of Industry, Free Kitten, The Crust Brothers, or any other associated solo or side projects.

Stephen West is an American rock musician, best known for being the drummer for Pavement. Since Pavement broke up, he has also become active as an artist in Rockbridge County, Virginia. He is the subject of "Westie Can Drum", a B-side released on the Pavement single "Stereo".

References

  1. Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. "Crooked Rain, Crooked Rain - Pavement | Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic . Retrieved July 26, 2021.
  2. Wright, Danny (January 6, 2016). "Pavement – 10 of the best". The Guardian . Retrieved August 5, 2021.
  3. Kannberg, Scott writing as Spiral [Stairs]. "Pavementi Mach III... we finally made our "Hotel California"!" (Memoir signed "Spiral, Seattle, WA, August, 2004.") Liner notes from Crooked Rain, Crooked Rain: LA's Desert Origins , pages 49-50. New York City: Matador Records, 2004.