Superchunk - Appeared in Portfolio Jun 2002
Superchunk is a band that makes you want quit your job and move somewhere far away where indie rock is the new top 40 and jumping up and down at rock shows is what you do three times a week instead of going to the gym. Superchunk was formed in Chapel Hill circa 1989 by guitarist/singer Mac McCaughan and bassist Laura Ballance. The current line-up also includes Jim Wilbur on guitar and Jon Wurster on drums. Rumors are that the band has refused to sign with major labels, in order to keep the independent in their brand of indie rock. They’ve kept busy touring, reportedly hitting such NYC hotspots as Maxwell's, Knitting Factory, and CBGB's all in one week. All this touring must’ve done them good because their live shows are simply incredible. You can almost feel their adrenalin when they take the stage - everyone but the drummer bouncing up and down to the hyper guitar and loud drums. What hits your ears is somewhat more power-punk rock than indie, however, but they do have the characteristic vocals and guitar sound of other indie bands. Without a doubt, they are one of the founders of their genre, along with bands like Pavement and Dinosaur Jr. Compared to their peers, they’d rank on the upper end of the energy scale. This isn’t melodramatic, introspective Belle and Sebastian stuff - this is in your face rock. And guess what? You can be one of the lucky few who get to see them next Saturday night at the NorVa, opening for The Get Up Kids - Just go out and buy yourself a ticket.
Saturday’s headliners, The Get Up Kids, have been gaining a lot of mindshare lately in the music scene. When people think of the type of music called emo (or emotional punk), their next thought tends to be this band. Their signature sound is based on heavy guitar filled out with synthesizers and loud emotionally charged vocals. Fans of songs like Holiday and their early albums may be in for a surprise by the new stuff they play at this show. The Get Up Kids are touring to support On A Wire, their third full-length album, which was released last month. This album marks a bit of a turn in direction for the band, with an overall sound that is more sedate than charged. This release does away with the energetic teen-angst anthems, moog synth and fast guitar, replaced with something that sounds a bit more like fellow North Carolina band Wilco than emo. Some of you may even like their new sound more than ever; I’ll have to admit that it’s growing on me.
But enough about The Get Up Kids. Yes, they’re great. Go see them. But, whatever you do, be sure you get there early enough to see Superchunk. You won’t be disappointed. I can’t count the number of times I’ve told people that they’re “The best show I’ve ever seen.” Most people who know the band will be waiting to hear the song Slack Motherf***er, recorded in 1990. This song came in at #19 in Billboard Magazine’s top songs of the decade poll. It could be any song about calling your boss an expletive is hard not to like, but it without a doubt deserves its #19 spot. It’s a song that started a new sound, and a kicked off a band that’s seen a decade as well. Never heard it? You may remember another hit, Hyper Enough from the mid 90’s with a great hook that’s hard not to like. If Superchunk is entirely new to you, their sound is pretty simple - catchy and fun pop songs with heavy, driving, fuzzy guitar and strained male vocals and female backup make up the core sound. So, if you can’t tell, I really like this band, and you may too. If you do go, one word of warning: Calling your boss an expletive will get you into trouble – no matter how fun it sounds.