Superchunk, formed in North Carolina, USA, are an energetic, prolific pop punk group who faced first acclaim and then derision as a reaction to the number of Hüsker D ü-influenced bands of that time. The group, which comprises Laura Ballance (bass), Jim Wilbur (guitar), John Wurster (drums) and Ralph 'Mac' McCaughan (vocals, guitar), was formed in Chapel Hill by romantic partners and indie label owners Ballance and McCaughan. Their label, Merge Records, was established at the same time and released their first single, 'What Do I'/'Train From Kansas City', in 1989, when the band was known simply as Chunk. They were forced to add a prefix after another group in New York claimed prior usage. Merge's first release had been a cassette compilation of North Carolina's Bricks, one of many bands ( Wax, Slushpuppies, etc.) in which McCaughan had played prior to Superchunk. Later he would also drum for Seam and add guitar to an album by fIREHOSE. Superchunk's career had been marked by the issue of a series of well-intentioned singles that never properly captured their abilities until they recorded 'Slack Motherfucker'. Based on work experience at Kinko's Copy Shop in the group's home-town, it made their name in the US underground rock firmament, and became a fixture on college radio. A self-titled debut album, full of feisty, abbreviated punk rock, followed for the newly established Matador Records. Their second album, No Pocky For Kitty, was promoted with a tour alongside Mudhoney, while in England they were pictured alongside their national flag on an ill-advised cover of the New Musical Express . Their disparate releases were then compiled on the excellent Tossing Seeds compilation, which included their second classic single to date, 'Cool'. On The Mouth largely prompted disappointment on its release in 1993, lacking any discernible musical progression and failing to produce the winning hooks of previous albums. However, Foolish, which followed a McCaughan solo venture (the much quieter Portastatic), largely restored their reputation with a return to their frontman's strength. Here's Where The Strings Come In was not quite as strong, although it included the vintage 'Hyper Enough'.
Encyclopedia of Popular Music Copyright Muze UK Ltd. 1989 - 1998
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Superchuck, Tsunami Honoring Simple Machines Records
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