Shudder to Think
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Shudder to Think was an American rock group. Formed in 1986, they released three albums on the Washington, D.C. Dischord Records label and have been labeled a punk band, though they drew upon a wide range of stylistic influences, including pop. Their music is characterized by a complex mix of these stylistic influences, as well as by technical precision and melodic virtuosity. Singer Craig Wedren's characteristic operatic singing style set the band apart from other post-punk D.C.-area bands.
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[edit] History
The band's first lineup was Craig Wedren (vocals and guitar), Chris Matthews (guitar), Stuart Hill (bass) and Mike Russell (drums). (Wedren, Larson, and Matthews had all attended The Field School, a small private highschool in Washington, D.C.) In this incarnation, the band released two singles and one album (Curse, Spells, Voodoo, Mooses, 1989) before being signed by the Dischord label. Three albums were then released (Ten-Spot, 1990, Funeral at the Movies, 1991, and Get Your Goat, 1992), before the band gained greater exposure by touring with Fugazi and the Smashing Pumpkins.
Swiz ex-bassist Nathan Larson (guitars) and ex- Jawbox drummer Adam Wade replaced Matthews and Russell in 1992, immediately prior to a major-label contract with Epic with whom Pony Express Record was released in 1994. The album's angular, mathematical post-modernism earned it an intense, if limited, following.
Over the next few years, Wedren successfully battled Hodgkin's Disease, Larson recorded an album with side project band Mind Science of the Mind and Wade left the group. His replacement was Kevin March, formerly drummer with Dambuilders.
Another album, 50,000 B.C. was released in 1997. The band also worked on music for soundtracks including First Love, Last Rites and High Art. In 1998, the band wrote and performed two songs for the film Velvet Goldmine.
However, 1998 was Larson's departure and the end of the group. Wedren has pursued a solo career, including an appearance on the Down to You soundtrack with Didn't Mean to Do You Harm, and contributed backing vocals to Verve Pipe's 1999 eponymous album.
Both Larson and Wedren have gone on to create highly regarded music for films. Wedren also makes solo music, and released his debut album, Lapland, in 2005. Larson has formed a new band called Hot One.
[edit] Quasi-Reunion
On September 17, 2007 at The Mercury Lounge in NYC, Craig Wedren, Nathan Larson, and Kevin March performed a brief set together.[1] And on February 4, 2008, at the Barack Rock event, organized by Wedren for http://www.getupandvote.com, Larson and Wedren joined together on stage to play a powerful set together. Wedren implied that a more substantial reunion is in the works. Shudder to Think are scheduled to perform at the Virgin Mobile Festival in Baltimore on August 10, 2008 and Virgin Festival Toronto on September 6.
[edit] Band members
- Craig Wedren - vocals,guitars
- Chris Matthews - guitars
- Stuart Hill - bass
- Mike Russell - drums & backing vocals
- Adam Wade - drums
- Nathan Larson - guitar & backing vocals
[edit] Albums
- Curses, Spells, Voodoo, Mooses (1989, Sammich Records)
- Ten Spot (1990)
- Funeral at the Movies (1991)
- Get your Goat (1992, Dischord Records)
- Pony Express Record (1994, Epic)
- 50,000 B.C. (1997)
[edit] 7" Singles
- It Was Arson (1988, Sammich)
- Catch of the Day (1990, Trout, split w/ Unrest)
- Medusa Seven (1990, Hoss)
- Hit Liquor (1994, Dischord)
[edit] Soundtracks
- First Love, Last Rites soundtrack (et al.) 1998
- High Art soundtrack (et al.) 1999
- Velvet Goldmine soundtrack 1998
[edit] Compilations
- Funeral At the Movies/Ten Spot
[edit] References
- ^ "Shudder to Think Reunite in NYC, Sort Of", Spin Magazine, 18 September 2007.
