Editing Shellac (band)

{{Short description|American indie rock band from Illinois, US}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2025}}
{{Infobox musical artist
| name              = Shellac
| image             = Shellac-band.jpg
| alt               = Black-and-white photo of three men posing lined up in crouched positions with their arms outstretched
| caption           = Shellac in [[Shibuya]], Japan, 1993. Front to back: Weston, Albini, Trainer
| landscape         = yes
| background        = group_or_band
| genre             = {{flatlist|
*[[Post-hardcore]]
*[[noise rock]]
*[[math rock]]}}
| origin            = [[Chicago, Illinois]], U.S.
| discography       = [[Shellac discography]]
| years_active      = 1992–2024
| label             = {{flatlist|
*[[Touch and Go Records|Touch and Go]]
*[[Drag City (record label)|Drag City]]
*[[Skin Graft Records|Skin Graft]]}}
| website           = [https://www.touchandgorecords.com/bands/band.php?id=22 touchandgorecords.com/bands/band.php?id=22]
| past_members   = *[[Steve Albini]]
*[[Todd Trainer]]
*[[Bob Weston]]
}}

'''Shellac''' was an American [[noise rock]] band from [[Chicago]], [[Illinois]], formed in 1992 by [[Steve Albini]] (guitar and vocals), [[Bob Weston]] (bass guitar and vocals) and [[Todd Trainer]] (drums and vocals). Their lineup remained consistent until Albini's death in May 2024.

They have been classified as [[post-hardcore]]<ref name=TopArtistsAllmusic>{{cite web |url=http://www.allmusic.com/explore/style/post-hardcore-d12962/artists |title=Explore: Post-Hardcore (Top Artists) |work=[[AllMusic]] |access-date=September 4, 2011}}</ref><ref name="treblezine">{{cite web |url=http://www.treblezine.com/features/107.html |title=The 90-Minute Guide - Post-Hardcore |author=Terich, Jeff |date=April 24, 2007 |work=Treblezine |access-date=September 4, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110404010139/http://www.treblezine.com/features/107.html |archive-date=April 4, 2011 }}</ref> and [[math rock]], but described themselves as a "[[minimal music|minimalist]] [[rock music|rock]] trio."<ref>{{cite web |last1=Moores |first1=JR |title=A Very Selfish Enterprise: The Strange World Of... Shellac |url=https://thequietus.com/interviews/strange-world-of/shellac-steve-albini-interview/ |website=The Quietus |access-date=25 March 2025 |date=3 August 2017}}</ref>

==Biography==
Shellac formed in [[Chicago, Illinois|Chicago]], [[Illinois]], in 1992 as an informal collaboration between guitarist [[Steve Albini]] of noise rock trios [[Big Black]] and [[Rapeman]], and drummer [[Todd Trainer]] from the band [[Breaking Circus]] and solo project [[Brick Layer Cake]].  Former [[Naked Raygun]] bassist Camilo Gonzalez sat in on early rehearsals and played on one song on Shellac's first single before [[Volcano Suns]] bassist Bob Weston joined as a permanent member. Both Weston and Albini were [[recording engineer]]s. They preferred a sparse, analog recording sound with little or no overdubbing, and were meticulous about microphone placement and choice of equipment.

Shellac had a distinctive, minimalist sound based on asymmetric [[time signature]]s, repetitive rhythms, an angular guitar sound, and both Albini's and Weston's surreal, bitingly [[sarcasm|sarcastic lyrics]]. Songs typically do not have traditional [[verse–chorus form|verse/chorus/verse]] structure and the arrangements were sparse, to the point where some described them as "amelodic". Shellac's signature sound was often associated with their enthusiasm for vintage [[Travis Bean]] guitars, a rare brand of [[aluminium]]-necked instruments, and the Interfax "Harmonic Percolator" [[Distortion|distortion pedal]]. Albini was known to use copper plectrums and typically wrapped his guitar strap around his waist rather than over his shoulder. The band preferred the intimacy of smaller clubs and live appearances were sporadic.
[[File:Shellac ATP 2007.jpg|alt=Color photo of three men playing on stage, with the guitarist at left, the drummer in the middle, and the bassist on the right.|left|thumb|250x250px|Shellac at [[All Tomorrow's Parties (festival)|All Tomorrow's Parties]], 2007]]
Mid-set in many live performances, Shellac took the time for one or more "question and answer" sessions, where members of the band responded in an off-the-cuff and, at times, jocular manner to questions shouted out by fans and [[heckler]]s alike. The band made an early decision to not play at festivals, and this position was articulated to [[All Tomorrow's Parties (music festival)|All Tomorrow's Parties]] (ATP) festival organizer Barry Hogan during the preparation stage of the inaugural ATP event. However, Scottish band [[Mogwai]], curating the festival, convinced Albini to perform: "[ATP] completely changed the festival game. Now the whole world has to operate under the knowledge that there are these cool, curated festivals where everyone is treated well and the experience is a generally pleasant one."<ref name="GQ-2010">{{cite web|last=Lake Smith|first=Aaron|date=September 29, 2010|title=The Verge Q+A: Punk Pioneer Steve Albini on Music Festivals, The Future of Radio and Why He Wants GQ To Fail|url=https://www.gq.com/blogs/the-q/2010/09/steve-albini.html|access-date=January 11, 2014|work=GQ Magazine}}</ref> In 2002, the band curated the All Tomorrow's Parties festival in [[Camber Sands]], England. 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. A CD of tracks from the bands performing at the festival was released on [[ATP Recordings|ATP Records]].

To celebrate their 20th anniversary as a band, Shellac returned to ATP to curate once more in December 2012 with the line-up including [[Wire (band)|Wire]], [[Scrawl]], [[Mission Of Burma]], [[The Ex (band)|the Ex]] + Brass Unbound, [[Red Fang]], [[Shannon Wright]], [[the Membranes]], Alix, Bear Claw, [[Helen Money]], [[Dead Rider]], [[Arcwelder]], [[Neurosis (band)|Neurosis]], [[Mono (Japanese band)|Mono]], [[Melt Banana]], [[Uzeda]], [[Prinzhorn Dance School]], Three Second Kiss, [[Buke and Gase]], [[Oxbow (band)|Oxbow]], [[Nina Nastasia]], [[Zeni Geva]], [[Bottomless Pit (band)|Bottomless Pit]], Pinebender, STNNNG and more.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.atpfestival.com/events/shellacxmas.php |title=Nightmare Before Christmas curated by Shellac Of North America - All Tomorrow's Parties |publisher=Atpfestival.com |access-date=2013-10-26}}</ref>

[[Touch and Go Records]] released the bulk of Shellac’s material, starting with a couple of singles in 1993 and the band’s debut album ''[[At Action Park]]'' in 1994. Because of Albini and Weston’s full-time careers as audio engineers, Shellac would record their music gradually over the following decades, releasing the albums ''[[Terraform (Shellac album)|Terraform]]'' in 1998, ''[[1000 Hurts]]'' in 2000, and ''[[Excellent Italian Greyhound]]'' in 2007. In 2014, despite the considerable downsizing that Touch and Go had undergone,<ref>Archived at [https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211211/6SSHjgrqpMQ Ghostarchive]{{cbignore}} and the [https://web.archive.org/web/20130508110053/http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6SSHjgrqpMQ&gl=US&hl=en Wayback Machine]{{cbignore}}: {{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6SSHjgrqpMQ |title=Steve Albini says new Shellac LP is done |date=6 May 2013 |publisher=YouTube |access-date=2013-10-26}}{{cbignore}}</ref> the band's fifth LP, ''[[Dude Incredible]]'', was released.<ref>{{cite web |title=Shellac DUDE INCREDIBLE |url=https://thequietus.com/articles/16269-shellac-dude-incredible-review |website=thequietus.com |date=17 September 2014 |access-date=15 June 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Tiny Mix Tapes: Shellac Dude Incredible |url=https://www.tinymixtapes.com/music-review/shellac-dude-incredible |website=tinymixtapes.com |access-date=15 June 2020}}</ref> [[Steve Albini]] went over each song on the album with Exclaim magazine.<ref>{{cite web |title=Steve Albini Breaks Down Shellac's 'Dude Incredible' Track by Track |url=http://exclaim.ca/music/article/steve_albini_breaks_down_shellacs_dude_incredible_track_by_track |website=exclaim.ca |access-date=15 June 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Kreative Kontrol Ep. #120: Steve Albini |url=http://vishkhanna.com/2014/07/31/ep-120-steve-albini/ |website=vishkhanna.com |date=31 July 2014 |access-date=15 June 2020}}</ref>

A collection of the band's two [[Peel Sessions]] from 1994 and 2004, entitled ''[[The End of Radio]]'' was released on June 14, 2019.<ref>{{cite web |title=Shellac Plan Peel Sessions Release 'The End of Radio' |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/shellac-peel-sessions-end-of-radio-823102/ |website=rollingstone.com |date=16 April 2019 |access-date=15 June 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Pitchfork Media: The End of Radio |url=https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/shellac-the-end-of-radio/ |website=pitchfork.com |access-date=15 June 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Shellac Collect Previously Unreleased Peel Sessions on Double Album |url=https://exclaim.ca/music/article/shellac_collect_previously_unreleased_peel_sessions_on_double_album |website=exclaim.ca |access-date=15 June 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Shellac The End of Radio |url=https://exclaim.ca/music/article/shellac-the_end_of_radio |website=exclaim.ca |access-date=15 June 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Protonic Reversal Ep150: Steve Albini (Shellac, Big Black, Rapeman) |url=https://www.radioneutron.com/2020/04/03/ep150-steve-albini-shellac-big-black-rapeman/ |website=radioneutron.com |date=3 April 2020 |access-date=15 June 2020}}</ref>

On March 20, 2024, the band announced a new record called ''[[To All Trains]]'', to be released on May 17 via Touch and Go Records.<ref>{{cite web |title=Shellac Announce First New Album in a Decade |url=https://pitchfork.com/news/shellac-announce-first-new-album-in-a-decade/ |website=Pitchfork.com |date=20 March 2024 |access-date=21 March 2024}}</ref> On May 7, 2024, Albini died of a heart attack in his Chicago home, ten days before the scheduled release of ''To All Trains''.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://pitchfork.com/news/steve-albini-storied-producer-and-icon-of-the-rock-underground-dies-at-61/|title=Steve Albini, Storied Producer and Icon of the Rock Underground, Dies at 61|first1=Nina|last1=Corcocan|first2=Jazz|last2=Monroe|publisher=Pitchfork|date=May 8, 2024|accessdate=May 8, 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.stereogum.com/2262785/steve-albini-dead-at-61/news/|title=Steve Albini Dead At 61|first=Tom|last=Briehan|publisher=Stereogum|date=May 8, 2024|accessdate=May 8, 2024}}</ref>

==Legacy==
[[File:Shellac - First Avenue Star.jpg|thumb|Star honoring Shellac on the outside mural of the Minneapolis nightclub [[First Avenue (nightclub)|First Avenue]]]]

Writing for [[Drowned in Sound]], Benjamin Bland said that, "[[Big Black]] and Shellac are surely the two most influential '[[noise rock]]' groups there have ever been. Hundreds of bands have sounded like them, and in all probability so will hundreds more. Who can blame them? When a shadow that large looms over an entire subgenre of music, it’s hard not to be influenced by it, let alone ignore it altogether."<ref name=des/>

[[John Robb (musician)|John Robb]], music critic and frontman of British [[post-punk]] band the Membranes, called Shellac "the finest rock band on the planet. This is the rock band that the rest of us in our bands [...] have had to measure ourselves against and if we are found wanting then we have to cower behind rocks and attempt to revive our measly offerings until they measure up."<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://louderthanwar.com/shellac-dude-incredible-album-review-1010-for-a-stunning-return/|title=Shellac: Dude Incredible - album review. '10/10 For A Stunning Return'|website=Louderthanwar.com|date=September 15, 2014}}</ref>  Vish Khanna expanded on their influence, noting that "[t]he band's sense of empathy, great storytelling, interpersonal politics and black humour are not necessarily uncommon in post-punk noise-rock bands, but Shellac's path is likely the most distinctive and emulated one."<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://exclaim.ca/music/article/shellac-dude_incredible|title=Shellac Dude Incredible|website=Exclaim.ca}}</ref>

Christian Lembach of [[Whores (band)|Whores]] called ''At Action Park'' his favorite [[noise rock]] album of all time.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.revolvermag.com/node/18671|title=WHORES' TOP 5 NOISE-ROCK ALBUMS|website=[[Revolver (magazine)|Revolver]]|date=October 7, 2013|access-date=July 14, 2020}}</ref> Mike Sullivan of [[Russian Circles]] cited the album as a major influence on his guitar-playing, noting that it "literally changed the way [he] looked at music".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.scenepointblank.com/features/interviews/russian-circles/|title=Interviews: Russian Circles|website=Scene Point Blank|author=Michael|date= October 16, 2010|access-date=July 14, 2020}}</ref> The band has also been cited as an influence by [[Future Of The Left]] (who have been described with the moniker "[[Poundland]] Shellac"),<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://thequietus.com/articles/27115-mclusky-andrew-falkous-interview|title=The Quietus &#124; Features &#124; A Quietus Interview &#124; We Were Basically Abba: Andrew Falkous Of Mclusky Interviewed|website=The Quietus|date=16 September 2019 }}</ref> [[Kurt Ballou]] of [[Converge (band)|Converge]],<ref>{{Cite web|title=Interview : Kurt Ballou (Converge)|url=https://www.metalorgie.com/interviews/1630_Kurt-Ballou-Converge_English-interview-november-2017|access-date=2021-01-05|website=Metalorgie|language=fr}}</ref> [[Mono (Japanese band)|Mono]],<ref>{{Cite web |last=Cory |first=Ian |date=October 4, 2016 |title=Interview: Taka Goto (Mono) |url=https://www.invisibleoranges.com/interview-taka-goto-mono/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161006195425/https://www.invisibleoranges.com/interview-taka-goto-mono/ |archive-date=October 6, 2016 |access-date=October 6, 2016 |website=[[Invisible Oranges]]}}</ref> [[Swing Kids (band)|Swing Kids]],<ref>{{Cite web|title=Interview: Swing Kids Vocalist Justin Pearson Looks Back on Their Sound, Visual Aesthetic + More|url=https://www.noecho.net/interviews/swing-kids-justin-pearson-interview|access-date=2021-02-19|website=Noecho.net|date=15 September 2020 |language=en}}</ref> [[Karin Dreijer]] of [[The Knife]],<ref>{{Cite web|date=2007-01-12|title=The Knife: "We are both a bit too romantic to stop doing melodies" - Interview {{!}} Interviews|url=https://www.musicomh.com/features/interviews/interview-the-knife|access-date=2021-02-19|website=Musicomh.com|language=en-GB}}</ref> [[Girl Band (Irish band)|Gilla Band]],<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/girl-band-premiere-interview-2015/|title=Why a Group of All Dudes Named Themselves Girl Band|website=Vice.com|date=18 November 2015 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=O'Toole |first=Lucy |title=Gilla Band: "I never raise my voice to anyone, but I have this unique thing in my life where I get to shout my head off – and not get arrested because of it" |url=https://www.hotpress.com/music/gilla-band-i-never-raise-my-voice-to-anyone-but-i-have-this-unique-thing-in-my-life-where-i-get-to-shout-my-head-off-and-not-get-arrested-because-of-it-22932930 |access-date=2022-11-09 |website=Hotpress}}</ref> [[Black Country, New Road]],<ref>{{Cite web |title=Black Country, New Road 2021 |url=https://www.heartnoize.cz/black-country-new-road/ |access-date=2022-11-09 |website=Heartnoize Promotion |language=en-US}}</ref> [[Jehnny Beth]] of [[Savages (band)|Savages]],<ref>{{Cite book|last=Pinnock|first=Tom|title=My Life In Music - Jehnny Beth|publisher=[[Uncut (magazine)|Uncut]]|year=2020|location=[[London]]|pages=118}}</ref> [[Silverchair]],<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.chairpage.com/press_releases/item/124/|title=Silverchair - Press - Interview with Silverchair at the Bellevue Hotel in Philadelphia|website=Chairpage.com}}</ref> [[My Disco]],<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://qromag.com/liam_andrews_of_my_disco/|title=Liam Andrews of My Disco|website=Qromag.com|access-date=2024-05-08}}</ref> [[Gengahr]],<ref>{{Cite web|date=2018-05-20|title=Gengahr Interview at The Great Escape Festival|url=https://www.fstival.com/gengahr-interview-at-the-great-escape-festival/|access-date=2021-02-19|website=FESTIVAL - Discover Festivals|language=en-US}}</ref> [[Dredg]],<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://elsantuariodelrock.com/entrevistas-CMAG/interview-with-gavin-hayes-from-dredg.pdf|title=An interview with DREDG|website=Elsantuariodelrock.com|access-date=2024-05-08}}</ref> [[Suicide Dolls (band)|Suicide Dolls]],<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://m-ne.thedelimagazine.com/8530/interview-delis-band-month-december-suicide-dolls|title=Interview with the deli's Band of the Month (December): The Suicide Dolls &#124; The Deli Magazine|website=M-ne.thedelimagazine.com}}</ref> [[Echo Is Your Love]],<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://diyconspiracy.net/echo-is-your-love/|title=Echo Is Your Love: Bring Down All The Barriers|website=DIY Conspiracy - International Zine in the Spirit of DIY Hardcore Punk!|date=11 August 2008 }}</ref> [[The Futureheads]],<ref>{{Cite web|title=Futureheads interview|date=11 February 2013 |url=https://amusicblogyea.com/2013/02/11/gimme-your-answers-an-interview-w-the-futureheads/|website=Amusicblogyea.com}}</ref> [[KEN Mode]],<ref name=des>{{Cite web|url=http://drownedinsound.com/releases/18852/reviews/4149090|title=Album Review: KEN mode - Success|website=DrownedInSound|date=15 June 2015 }}</ref> and [[Pile (band)|Pile]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.spin.com/featured/pile-a-million-sweaty-punks-cant-be-wrong/|title=Pile: A Million Sweaty Punks Can't Be Wrong|date=April 19, 2017|website=Spin}}</ref>

Shellac was honored with a star on the outside mural of the [[Minneapolis]] nightclub [[First Avenue (nightclub)|First Avenue]],<ref name="FirstAveStars">{{cite web |url=http://first-avenue.com/about/thestars |title=The Stars |author=<!--Not stated--> |website=First Avenue & 7th Street Entry |access-date=2020-05-10}}</ref> recognizing performers that have played sold-out shows or have otherwise demonstrated a major contribution to the culture at the iconic venue.<ref name="StarTribune2019">{{cite news |last=Bream |first=Jon |url=https://www.startribune.com/10-things-you-ll-learn-about-first-avenue-in-new-minnesota-history-center-show/509374312/ |title=10 things you'll learn about First Avenue in new Minnesota History Center show |work=[[Star Tribune]] |location=Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minnesota |date=2019-05-03 |access-date=2020-05-10 }}</ref> Receiving a star "might be the most prestigious public honor an artist can receive in Minneapolis," according to journalist Steve Marsh.<ref name="MSPMag2019">{{cite news |last=Marsh |first=Steve |url=http://mspmag.com/arts-and-culture/first-avenue-star-wall/ |title=First Avenue's Star Wall |work=Mpls.St.Paul Magazine |location=Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minnesota |date=2019-05-13 |access-date=2020-05-10 }}</ref>

Shellac were recognized as the "House Band" of the [[All Tomorrow's Parties (festival)|All Tomorrow's Parties]] (now defunct) and [[Primavera Sound]] festivals, which Albini saw as the exceptions to his general distaste of music festivals for exploiting the underground music scene.<ref>{{Cite web |last=johnrobb |date=2013-08-30 |title=Atp Announce Extra Acts For Last Ever Festival...Shellac And More! |url=https://louderthanwar.com/atp-announce-extra-acts-for-last-ever-festival-shellac-and-more/ |access-date=2024-05-10 |website=Louder Than War |language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.normanrecords.com/features/label-watch/touch-and-go|title=Label Watch: Touch And Go |website=Normanrecords.com}}</ref> In Albini's lifetime, Shellac performed at every edition of [[Primavera Sound]] since 2006, except for 2007. In 2018, the festival sold a shirt that read "Shellac and 249 More" in reference to its lineup.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Seriously, Steve Albini is a really nice guy - a conversation about the important things in life |url=https://www.loudandquiet.com/interview/the-mythical-version-of-steve-albini-and-the-real-life-version-of-steve-albini-are-about-as-far-apart-as-you-can-get/ |access-date=2024-05-10 |website=Loud And Quiet |language=en-US}}</ref> Following Albini's death, the festival said in a statement honoring him, "What are we going to do without you, Steve? After having welcomed them at 15 editions of the festival, it is impossible for us to imagine a Primavera Sound without him, because no band explains us better than Shellac."<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-05-08 |title=US record producer and 'punk legend' Steve Albini dies aged 61 |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/steve-albini-pixies-shellac-nirvana-pj-harvey-b2541797.html |access-date=2024-05-10 |website=The Independent |language=en}}</ref> During the 2024 edition of Primavera Sound, there was a listening party of ''To All Trains'' during Shellac's planned time slot which served as a memorial to Albini, and the festival renamed a stage for him in his honor.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-05-20 |title=Primavera Sound Names Stage After Steve Albini |url=https://www.stereogum.com/2264295/primavera-sound-names-stage-after-steve-albini/news/ |access-date=2024-06-15 |website=Stereogum |language=en}}</ref>

==Discography==
{{main|Shellac discography}}
*''[[At Action Park]]'' (1994)
*''[[The Futurist (Shellac album)|The Futurist]]'' (1997)
*''[[Terraform (Shellac album)|Terraform]]'' (1998)
*''[[1000 Hurts]]'' (2000)
*''[[Excellent Italian Greyhound]]'' (2007)
*''[[Dude Incredible]]'' (2014)
*''[[To All Trains]]'' (2024)

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{commons category}}
*[http://www.touchandgorecords.com/bands/band.php?id=22 Official (Touch & Go Records) website]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20030419125000/http://www.southern.com/southern/band/SHLAC/biog.html Southern Records biography page]
*{{AllMusic}}
*{{Discogs artist}}
*{{MusicBrainz artist}}
{{Shellac|state=expanded}}
{{Rifle Sport}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Shellac}}
[[Category:American art rock groups]]
[[Category:Musical trios from Illinois]]
[[Category:American noise rock music groups]]
[[Category:Musical groups from Chicago]]
[[Category:Musical groups established in 1992]]
[[Category:American post-hardcore musical groups]]
[[Category:Touch and Go Records artists]]
[[Category:Drag City (record label) artists]]
[[Category:1992 establishments in Illinois]]