Pavement

Guide Note

One of the more influential bands of the 1990's indie and lo-fi rock movement, Pavement released five albums during the decade to significant critical acclaim before disbanding in 1999. Stephen Malkmus' fractured vocals and Scott Kannberg's sonic experimentation created the band's intense and frenetic sound on 1992's Slanted and Enchanted, an album considered by Pitchfork Media, Rolling Stone and other publications as a landmark in American indie rock.

Fast Facts

1. Years Active: 1989 - 1999
2. Origin: Stockton, California
3. Discography
4. Several band members are former museum security guards
5. Malkmus and Billy Corgan had a long-standing feud in the 1990s
6. Several Pavement members have acknowledged the possibility of a reunion

Slanted and Enchanted was pieced together by Malkmus and Kannberg, all from previously recorded segments. The band was initially formed to play live shows, but bassist Mark Ibold and drummer Bob Nastanovich became regular members and contributed to future recordings.

Pavement's 1994 album, Crooked Rain, Crooked Rain, was more focused than Slanted and featured more direct pop songwriting. The album was recorded after erratic drummer Gary Young left the band. Though Pavement did not achieve significant mainstream success, the album's first single "Cut Your Hair" was played on MTV and commercial radio.

After 1997's Brighten the Corners, several Pavement members explored other musical projects, and 1999's well-received Terror Twilight sounded more like a Malkmus solo album than a Pavement project. The band split in November 1999.