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Harmacy ----
discography
1997 finds Sebadoh as conflicted as ever -- torn between screaming punk and gentle crooning. Their last record, Harmacy is replete with highly personal songs guaranteed to bring down even the most super-charged midnight ravers faster than an herbal ecstasy OD.
A cursory look at Sebadoh's checkered past, ambiguous present, and dubious future will give you all the ammunition you need to take in their latest.
Between 1989 and 1991, the band released 3 albums that more or less changed the ugly, pockmarked face of indie rock. The albums were mostly home recordings, roundly decried for their lack of sharp production and "cohesion".
Sebadoh gained a reputation, to put it mildly, of live performances that were, much like snowflakes, no two alike. To date, "Sebadoh" has become synonymous with unpredictability. Some called it "genius", most called it "lack of focus". To add to the already ridiculous confusion surrounding the band, Sebadoh would proceed to break up and reform with disturbing regularity between 1990-1993.
After a spate of Sebadoh co-founder Eric Gaffney's hasty departures and Bob Fay's substitutions, Eric finally left the band in 1993. At this point, Bob joined for good. In early 1994, the band recorded Bakesale. Obsessive/possessive Sebageeks everywhere wept at the band's newfound presence on commercial radio and MTV.
Although newly incorporated, Sebadoh are still working hard at making their discography one of the most confusing and convoluted ever in rock history. Since Bakesale, it has swelled to include the further works of Jason's Sparkalepsy (he also played drums with Will Oldham's Palace), Bob's Unconvinced (with Anne Slinn) and Deluxx (with Mark Perretta), as well as Deluxx Folk Implosion (with Mark, Bob, John Davis, and Lou), and Lou's continued work with John Davis as the Folk Implosion. (The Folk Implosion's "Natural One" became something of a radio hit, just cracking the Top 40, and earning a blip on the small screen as an MTV "Buzz Clip".)
In November 1995, Sebadoh began recording Harmacy. All together, they spent 3 weeks recording the songs and 2 weeks watching Tim O'Heir or Eric Masunaga mix the songs. The record was finally completed in early May 1996. It's the first album that features the full band on every song. A straightforward, plain-spoken document brought to you by a most inscrutable, but well-intentioned band.
The latest news as of August 22, 1997 has the band back in the studio recording what will most certainly prove to be one of the greatest records of 1998.
SEBADOH are:
DISCOGRAPHY OF U.S. SEBADOH LPs:
LOU BARLOW -- guitar, bass, vocals
JASON LOEWENSTEIN -- bass, guitar, vocals
BOB FAY -- drums, occasional bass, vocals on "I Smell A Rat"
(an incredibly complete discography can be found at cafeliberty.com)
Freed Man (Homestead, 1989)
Weed Forestin (Homestead, 1990)
Sebadoh III (Homestead, 1991)
Smash Your Head on the Punk Rock (Sub Pop, 1992)
Bubble And Scrape (Sub Pop, 1992)
Bakesale (Sub Pop, 1994)
Harmacy (Sub Pop, 1996)