Shellac

Here's the delayed post that was meant to close out 2023. This is one of one of the most consistent and influential acts in underground rock, with a legacy that often feels understated. Of course it's none other than the one and only Shellac. They came together in 1992, with members all already established in their native Chicago scene. This included vocalist/guitarist Steve Albini, who previously helmed the foundational post-hardcore/noise rock outfit Big Black. He's also widely known for his production work with the likes of Nirvana, The Pixies, PJ Harvey, The Jesus Lizard, Godspeed You! Black Emperor, and so many more. Shellac also consists of bassist/vocalist Bob Weston, formerly of Volcano Suns and a noteworthy producer in his own right, working with the likes of June of 44, Sebadoh and Archers of Loaf. Finally, to complete the single unit known as Shellac is drummer/vocalist Todd Trainer, who was previously in Breaking Circus and Rifle Sport.

Moving on from their individual résumés, their collective body of work starts in 1993 with a series of 7"'s released in quick succession, which culminated in a fully-realized sound by the time their landmark debut LP dropped in late 1994. At Action Park is the perfect introduction to a sound that is distinctly theirs. They eschew any semblance of traditional song structure, opting to lock into these hypnotic and dissonant yet dynamic grooves, with metallic string clangs and pulsating rhythms. Through each subsequent release always displayed a gradual evolution, their M.O. has always been to turn traditional rock sounds on their heads. Their output has also been very consistent, with five studio releases under their belt over a 20-year period, all via Touch And Go Records. If you have yet to give them a proper listen, now is the time. Enjoy.

The Rude Gesture: A Pictorial History (1993)

1. The Guy Who Invented Fire

2. Rambler Song

3. Billiard Player Song

Uranus (1993)

1. Doris

2. Wingwalker

The Bird Is The Most Popular Finger (1994)

1. The Admiral

2. XVI

At Action Park (1994)

1. My Black Ass

2. Pull The Cup

3. The Admiral

4. Crow

5. Song Of The Minerals

6. A Minute

7. The Idea Of North

8. Dog And Pony Show

9. Boche's Dick

10. Il Porno Star

Live In Tokyo (1994)

1. The Guy Who Invented Fire

2. Ramvler Song

3. The Admiral

4. My Black Ass

5. Song Of The Minerals

6. Billiard Player Song

7. Dog And Pony Show

8. Il Porno Star

9. Doris

10. Wingwalker

11. Boche's Dick

12. Crow

Billardspielerlied / Mantel (1995)

1. Billardspielerlied

2. Mantel

Sides 1-4 (1995)

1. Shellac - '95 Jailbreak

2. Big'n - T.N.T.

3. Brise-Glace - Angus Dei Aus Licht

4. U.S. Maple - Sin City

Soul Sound (1995)

1. Shellac - The Rambler Song

2. Mule - Beauteous

The Futurist (1997)

1. Movement 1

2. Movement 2

3. Movement 3

4. Movement 4

5. Movement 5

6. Movement 6

Terraform (1998)

1. Didn't We Deserve A Look At You The Way You Really Are

2. This Is A Picture

3. Disgrace

4. Mouhtpiece

5. Canada

6. Rush Job

7. House Full Of Garbage

8. Copper

1000 Hurts (2000)

1. Prayer To God

2. Squirrel Song

3. Mama Gina

4. Qrj

5. Ghosts

6. Song Against Itself

7. Canaveral

8. New Number Order

9. Shoe Song

10. Watch Song

Agostino / The Safeword (2000)

1. Shellac - Agostino

2. Caesar - The Safeword

Excellent Italian Greyhound (2007)

1. The End Of Radio

2. Steady As She Goes

3. Be Prepared

4. Elephant

5. Genuine Lulabelle

6. Kittypants

7. Protocal

8. Paco

9. Spoke

Dude Incredible (2014)

1. Dude Incredible

2. Compliant

3. You Came In Me

4. Riding Bikes

5. All The Surveyors

6. The People's Microphone

7. Gary

8. Mayor/Surveyor

9. Surveyor

The End Of Radio (2019)

1. Spoke

2. Canada

3. Crow

4. Disgrace

5. Ghosts

6. The End Of Radio

7. Canda

8. Paco

9. Steady As She Goes

10. Billiard Player Song

11. Dog And Pony Show

12. Il Porno Star

Note: Contains two Peel sessions, tracks 1-4 recorded in 1994 and tracks 5-12 recorded in 2004

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