Shellac (sometimes referred to as 'Shellac of North America') is an America… Read Full Bio ↴Shellac (sometimes referred to as 'Shellac of North America') is an American rock music group formed in Chicago, Illinois, in 1992 by Steve Albini (guitar and vocals), Bob Weston (bass guitar vocals) and Todd Trainer (drums). They have been classified as post-hardcore, noise rock and math rock. Albini has claimed they refer to themselves as 'Shellac of North America', "when we're being pretentious."
They have a distinctive, minimalist sound based on unusual and urgent time signatures, repetitive heavy rhythms, an angular guitar sound, and Albini's surreal, bitingly sarcastic lyrics. Songs typically do not have traditional verse/chorus/verse structure and the arrangements are sparse, to the point where some describe them as "amelodic". Shellac's signature sound is often associated with their enthusiasm for vintage Travis Bean guitars, a rare brand of aluminium-based instruments. Albini is also known to use copper plectrums and unique guitar straps that fit around the waist rather than over the shoulder. The band prefers the intimacy of smaller clubs, and live appearances are sporadic.
Both Weston and Albini are renowned recording engineers, and use their preferred methods with Shellac: Albini prefers a very clean, analogue recording sound with little or no overdubbing, and he is meticulous about microphone placings and equipment - this is reflected in Shellac's no nonsense approach to their own music, both in the studio and live.
Shellac are also renowned for their unconventional modus operandi. Touring is often an excuse for the band to take time away from their day jobs (Albini and Weston are both recording engineers; Trainer works at a commercial photographer's studio in Minneapolis) instead of being used to promote a recent record or even for financial gain. Indeed, Shellac do not have a "fixed fee" for performances like most bands, instead preferring to take the door charge minus expenses such as promotion, running costs and venue fees. They have also been known to ask venues to remove ticket charges they regard as unnecessary, which have become common in Europe and America.
An early claim from the band was that all of their songs were about two of Albini's favourite subjects: Baseball and Canada. In actuality, Albini and Weston's songs can refer to a broad range of topics, from the highly emotional to examinations of everyday minutiae. However, regardless of the subject, each song is presented in the same deadpan, occasionally violent manner. An example can be found in the concluding tracks from the band's album 1000 Hurts. Although both songs have a title referring to a mundane house-hold object, these items are in actuality symbolic of a larger theme. Weston's "Shoe Song" deals with the realisation of love and its subsequent loss, whereas Albini's "Watch Song" details irrational anger and aggression. Shoe Song also heavily references post-rock band Slint, who were produced by Albini.
Shellac are known for their mercurial nature, which has produced some interesting records and events. Most notably, they recorded an instrumental album known as The Futurist for a modern dance troupe. Unwilling to grant what the band considered a sub-par recording a wider audience, they pressed approximately 700 vinyl LP copies of the music and gave them away as gifts to friends. The front cover was a list of the recipients, with the relevant name encircled. Shellac also played a Halloween show as the anarchic British punk group The Sex Pistols, featuring former The Jesus Lizard and Scratch Acid singer David Yow as Johnny Rotten. Both of the aforementioned can now be found on several file-sharing networks.
In 2002, the band was also responsible for curating the All Tomorrow's Parties festival in Camber Sands, England. Amongst fans of independent rock, these weekends have achieved legendary status and featured performances from some of the world's finest groups. Knowing that most of the audience had come specifically to see Shellac, the band went on first every morning as an incentive for the festival-goers to be up in time to see the other acts. An album of live tracks from this festival was also released on ATP Records.
In December 2004, Shellac recorded a final BBC Session dedicated their longtime fan John Peel. Peel had been an ardent supporter of the band and his death earlier in the year came as a great shock to the independent music community. In 2005, Shellac were recorded playing 'Steady As She Goes' in an abandoned house as part of a film project called Burn To Shine, organised by Fugazi drummer Brendan Canty and film-maker Christoph Green. This is the only available recorded video footage of the band playing live.
They have a distinctive, minimalist sound based on unusual and urgent time signatures, repetitive heavy rhythms, an angular guitar sound, and Albini's surreal, bitingly sarcastic lyrics. Songs typically do not have traditional verse/chorus/verse structure and the arrangements are sparse, to the point where some describe them as "amelodic". Shellac's signature sound is often associated with their enthusiasm for vintage Travis Bean guitars, a rare brand of aluminium-based instruments. Albini is also known to use copper plectrums and unique guitar straps that fit around the waist rather than over the shoulder. The band prefers the intimacy of smaller clubs, and live appearances are sporadic.
Both Weston and Albini are renowned recording engineers, and use their preferred methods with Shellac: Albini prefers a very clean, analogue recording sound with little or no overdubbing, and he is meticulous about microphone placings and equipment - this is reflected in Shellac's no nonsense approach to their own music, both in the studio and live.
Shellac are also renowned for their unconventional modus operandi. Touring is often an excuse for the band to take time away from their day jobs (Albini and Weston are both recording engineers; Trainer works at a commercial photographer's studio in Minneapolis) instead of being used to promote a recent record or even for financial gain. Indeed, Shellac do not have a "fixed fee" for performances like most bands, instead preferring to take the door charge minus expenses such as promotion, running costs and venue fees. They have also been known to ask venues to remove ticket charges they regard as unnecessary, which have become common in Europe and America.
An early claim from the band was that all of their songs were about two of Albini's favourite subjects: Baseball and Canada. In actuality, Albini and Weston's songs can refer to a broad range of topics, from the highly emotional to examinations of everyday minutiae. However, regardless of the subject, each song is presented in the same deadpan, occasionally violent manner. An example can be found in the concluding tracks from the band's album 1000 Hurts. Although both songs have a title referring to a mundane house-hold object, these items are in actuality symbolic of a larger theme. Weston's "Shoe Song" deals with the realisation of love and its subsequent loss, whereas Albini's "Watch Song" details irrational anger and aggression. Shoe Song also heavily references post-rock band Slint, who were produced by Albini.
Shellac are known for their mercurial nature, which has produced some interesting records and events. Most notably, they recorded an instrumental album known as The Futurist for a modern dance troupe. Unwilling to grant what the band considered a sub-par recording a wider audience, they pressed approximately 700 vinyl LP copies of the music and gave them away as gifts to friends. The front cover was a list of the recipients, with the relevant name encircled. Shellac also played a Halloween show as the anarchic British punk group The Sex Pistols, featuring former The Jesus Lizard and Scratch Acid singer David Yow as Johnny Rotten. Both of the aforementioned can now be found on several file-sharing networks.
In 2002, the band was also responsible for curating the All Tomorrow's Parties festival in Camber Sands, England. Amongst fans of independent rock, these weekends have achieved legendary status and featured performances from some of the world's finest groups. Knowing that most of the audience had come specifically to see Shellac, the band went on first every morning as an incentive for the festival-goers to be up in time to see the other acts. An album of live tracks from this festival was also released on ATP Records.
In December 2004, Shellac recorded a final BBC Session dedicated their longtime fan John Peel. Peel had been an ardent supporter of the band and his death earlier in the year came as a great shock to the independent music community. In 2005, Shellac were recorded playing 'Steady As She Goes' in an abandoned house as part of a film project called Burn To Shine, organised by Fugazi drummer Brendan Canty and film-maker Christoph Green. This is the only available recorded video footage of the band playing live.
Spoke
Shellac Lyrics
We have lyrics for 'Spoke' by these artists:
Embrace Life goes on Life goes on Life goes on and on What's righ…
I Parasite Open to wounding me licking my eyes victims of master…
I, Parasite Open to wounding me licking my eyes victims of master…
Samoaja I spoke to the Lord in my hard times Yet again…
Skuff Micksun I could never get used to it You're sparkin' my fuse Who…
Sweet Machine You spoke to me I heard your words You spoke to me I…
The Embrace We were laughing, we were alive We spoke our words into…
We have lyrics for these tracks by Shellac:
Agostino She walks with shuffling steps Alone, although surrounded Fo…
All the Surveyors Who walks the king's road? (Who fears a king?) Who fears…
Be Prepared I was born wearing pants be prepared I was born sta…
Billiard Player Song He cursed Like a billiard player Rap his stick upon the gr…
Boche's Dick (Lyrics by Jenny the Mouse McNeilly) Forty-two ax handles a…
Boycott Don't say that you were thinking When you're there (?) for…
Canada We oughta name this song after you: call it "Canada". Im…
Canaveral Call it Canaveral I won't say his name could've had anyone a…
Compliant Close lights Compliant Car lock Compliant Count steps Compli…
Copper Copper, let us take you To the furnace where we'll break…
Crow He flies as a crow flies straight to her Why? Tell he…
Didn't We Deserve a Look at You the Way You Really Are For decades, You paraded around as a crazy bitch. Wretchedne…
Disgrace As a boy Dreamed of a rocket And like a rocket Like a Li…
Dog and Pony Show If I could walk, I'd be a miner If I could…
Doris None too smart by books, none too pretty Kind of a…
Dude Incredible Oh my brothers and oh my other comrades Let's leave this…
Ghosts She's making ghosts She's so happy Ballroom dancing Spinn…
House Full of Garbage Imagine a man so tall Back on the ceiling Stoop over man…
Il Porno Star Porno star arrives, No English. No money. Two things: A co…
Mama Gina Oh, My Mama Gina Had a Sister, Angelina. If There Is a…
Mouthpiece Blockhead You're a dummy I could even see his lips move …
My Black Ass Gonna eat what I pick And I hope you choke on…
New Number Order Ok Here's what we're going to do We all know the numbers…
Prayer to God To the one true God above, here is my prayer. Not the…
QRJ (unintelligible radio voice) (radio voice:)QRJ... QRJ...…
Rambler Song I've got a girlfriend you can't have her I've got a racetr…
Riding Bikes Me and Ted were small And riding bikes along the wall, Steal…
Rush Job A new world In one week For quarter? Complete? We're c…
Shoe Song I still remember hearing your shoe hit the floor Do you…
Song Against Itself This is the song against itself It's of two minds of…
Song of the Minerals Eat yourself out of house and home Go home, there's nothing…
Squirrel Song This is a sad fuckin' song We'll be lucky if I…
Steady As She Goes Steady as she goes on with life She was walking down…
Surveyor Who walks the king's road? (Who fears a king?) Who fears…
The Admiral It comes as no surprise he's taken by surprise It comes…
The End of Radio is this thing on? can you hear me now? oh god is thing…
The Guy Who Invented Fire Invent a fire Gonna lay down in it Learn a lesson What th…
The Idea of North he was from up north part of ??the North Academy?? it coul…
The Rambler Song I Got a Girlfriend (You Can't Have Her), I Got a…
The Watch Song Hey man, I wanna have a fight with you Regardless of…
This Is a Picture This is a picture Of things going a little out of…
Watch Song Hey man, I wanna have a fight with you Regardless of…
Wingwalker Time was, I could move my arms like a bird Fly!…
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