Ah, the ’90s! Record-label budgets were big, MTV played music
videos, and alternative rock bands walked the earth like druggy-eyed,
flannel-clad gods. But dig this, Generation X—that teenager next
to you in line for funnel cake wasn’t even alive when punk
broke! Where’s your precious irony now, huh? Anyway, as a nostalgia
trip for us soon-to-be-geriatrics and a primer for those too young to
care, The Stranger‘s Bumbershoot Guide has charted the careers
of this year’s big acts of alt yore: Beck, Superchunk, Stone
Temple Pilots, the Offspring, and Sweet Water. May their rises and
falls be a lesson to you, Paramore.
Pre-1990
Superchunk release their “Loser,” “Slack Motherfucker,” found Merge
Records.
Stone Temple Pilots form under the equally bad names Swing and
Mighty Joe Young, cutting their teeth playing in San Diego—area
strip clubs.
The Offspring meet outside a Social Distortion concert, form band
with their high-school janitor, Noodles, release vinyl-only self-titled
album.
Sweet Water meet at Seattle private K-12, the Bush School.
Beck takes up busking.
1990
Superchunk release self-titled debut on Matador Records.
1991
Superchunk’s self-titled debut sparks a bidding war; the band opt
not to sign to a major, releasing No Pocky for Kitty on
Matador.
1992
Stone Temple Pilots sign to Atlantic, release Core, become
famously known as “that band that sound like Pearl Jam that aren’t
Pearl Jam.”
The Offspring sign to Epitaph, release Ignition, open for No
Doubt.
1993
Beck’s “Slack Motherfucker,” “Loser” sparks major-label bidding
war.
Sweet Water release self-titled album.
Superchunk release On the Mouth.
STP tour with Rage Against the Machine, Megadeth.
1994
The Offspring release Smash, score breakthrough hits with
“Come Out and Play,” “Self Esteem,” and “Gotta Get Away.”
Beck releases Dust Brothers—produced major label debut
Mellow Gold, shores up cred with folky K Records album One
Foot in the Grave.
Superchunk release their fourth album and first on Merge,
Foolish, an album that explored the breakup of singer Mac
McCaughan and bassist Laura Ballance’s romantic relationship while
tempering the band’s sound with slower tempos and cleaner production;
critics say, “Not hyper enough.”
STP release Purple at number one on the album charts, land
“Big Empty” on The Crow soundtrack.
1995
Sweet Water release Superfriends, score minor/regional
alt-rock radio hits with “Superstar” and “Feed Yourself.”
1996
Beck releases career-confirming album Odelay.
STP release brick Tiny Music… Songs from the Vatican Gift
Shop, cancel tour due to Weiland’s drug habit.
1997
Superchunk release Indoor Living, shoot hilarious music video
for the excellent single “Watery Hands” with David Cross and Janeane
Garofalo.
The Offspring sign to Columbia records, release Ixnay on the
Hombre.
STP release No. 4, Weiland sentenced to a year in prison for
violating probation.
1998
Beck releases Mutations amid contract disputes with Geffen
and Bong Load Records.
1999
Superchunk release Come Pick Me Up.
Beck wins Grammy for Best Alternative Performance, releases
delightful sex-funk oddity Midnite Vultures. (8)
The Offspring perform at post-
apocalyptic rape-a-torium
Woodstock ’99 along with Limp Bizkit, Korn, Kid Rock, and Creed.
2000
Sweet Water go on hiatus.
The Offspring attempt to release new album for free download but are
foiled by their major label, begin selling Napster T-shirts via their
website.
2001
Superchunk release Here’s to Shutting Up.
2002
Beck releases Sea Change.
2003
Stone Temple Pilots break up following an altercation between
Weiland and guitarist Dean DeLeo; Weiland joins Slash-sporting “super”
group Velvet Revolver, celebrates by getting in drunk-driving
accident.
The Offspring release Splinter.
2005
2006
Beck releases The Information.
2007
Sweet Water return from hiatus for a pair of shows at the Crocodile
Cafe.
Superchunk record “Misfits & Mistakes” for the Aqua Teen
Hunger Force movie, vocals by Meatwad.
Weiland arrested for DUI, enters rehab.
2008
Sweet Water tour with Stone Temple Pilots.
Beck releases Danger Mouse—produced Modern Guilt.
The Offspring release Rise and Fall, Rage and Grace.
Weiland leaves Velvet Revolver, publicly feuds with Slash; STP
announce tour.
Superchunk perform live at three South Carolina Barack Obama
rallies, presumably just to warm up for Bumbershoot.
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