The Sneetches (band)
The Sneetches | |
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Background information | |
Origin | San Francisco, California, United States |
Genres | Indie pop, power pop |
Years active | 1985–1995 |
Labels | Kaleidoscope Sound, Creation, Alias, Bus Stop, spinART, Omnivore Recordings |
Past members | Mike Levy Matt Carges Daniel Swan Alejandro "Alec" Palao |
The Sneetches were an American indie pop/power pop band formed in San Francisco, California, United States, in 1985, who released several albums before splitting up in the mid-1990s. The band was described by Trouser Press as "one of the most tasteful, consistently tuneful pop bands on the American scene".[1] In 2017, All Music described The Sneetches as "one of the best classic guitar pop bands in the late '80s/early '90s."
The Sneetches stood out amongst the contemporary grunge, industrial and hardcore scenes in the 1980s. Remaining obscure until their breakup during the peak of Britpop, The Sneetches have since gained a cult following.[2]
History
The initial line-up was Mike Levy (vocals, bass) and Matt Carges (guitar) adding English drummer Daniel Swan, formerly of
In 1993, the band recorded a mini-album with
Levy began work on a solo album in 1995, Fireflies, which was eventually released in 2000.[6]
2017 retrospective release Form of Play
A 2017 retrospective album Form of Play was reviewed by
Reviews for Form of Play
This section contains too many or overly lengthy quotations. (June 2017) |
"While they may have been an underground sensation, Omnivore Recordings collected the best songs from The Sneetches for their first ever career compilation titled "Form Of Play: A Retrospective."" (JP' Music Blog)[7]
"Form of Play may not be my dream roster of Sneetches songs, but first-person perspective aside it's a representative assemblage of what made these Bay-era popmeisters tick. The few previously unreleased sections are predominantly culled from live performances, but a concluding acoustic demo of "How Does It Feel" channeling Big Star says volumes about where the Sneetches were emanating from." (Willfully Obscure).[8]
"this is a special collection of songs, and while it might not contain everyone’s favorites, what it does offer is a look at a band who deserved far more appreciation than they received. Absolutely essential for all Sneetches fans!" (Elizabeth Klisiewicz] - The Big Take Over"[9]
"Whether you're late on this band or were right on time you'll dig this either way as great songs are great songs."[10][11]
"Amid the post-punk, indie-rock and the phoenix-like rise of grunge, there was a thread of late-80s pop that focused on melody and craft. The dB’s, Game Theory and Bongos were more cerebral than their power-pop counterparts but no less fetching to listen to. And standing tall artistically, if not in record sales, was San Francisco’s Sneetches. At twenty-two tracks, clocking in at seventy-seven minutes, this is a good buy for those just meeting the band, but also those who collected everything along the way."[12]
"Although these tracks were originally recorded in the ‘80s and ‘90s, they don't sound dated in the least; rather, it's song after song of smart, well-constructed, hooky guitar pop that should have attracted a much larger audience. Tracks such as “...and I'm Thinking” and “I Don't Expect Her For You (Look at That Girl)” still burn with a melodic intensity while also sounding polished (but never slick) – and they're the rule and not the exception."[13]
Discography
Albums
- Light Out! With The Sneetches (1988) Kaleidocope Sound
- Sometimes That's All We Have (1989) Creation/Alias
- Slow (1990) Alias
- Chris Wilson & The Sneetches (1993) Marilyn
- Blow Out the Sun (1994) spinART
- Starfucker (1995) Bus Stop
Compilations
- 1985-1991 (1991) Alias
- Think Again (1993) Bus Stop
- Obscureyears (1994) Creation Rev-Ola
- Form of Play: A Retrospective (2017) Omnivore Recordings
Singles
- "Only for a Moment" / "54 Hours" (1987) Kaleidoscope Sound (UK only release)
- "Please Don't Break My Heart" / "He's Frank" / "Love Comes My Way" (1989) Alias
- "She Does Everything For Me" (1991) Bus Stop
- "...and I'm Thinking" (1992) Bus Stop
- "A Good Thing" (1993) Bus Stop
- "She May Call You Up Tonight" (1993) Jelly Bean
- Sunnyside Down EP (1993) Elefant[3]
Promotional videos
- "Heloise" (1990)[14]
References
- ^ a b c Scott McCaughey & John M. Borack "Sneetches", Trouser Press
- ^ Kaz, Jim (June 2017). "Retro Action #19: Power Pop and Punk Reissues". Newnoisemagazine.com. Retrieved 2017-07-27.
- ^ ISBN 1-84195-335-0
- ^ Allmusic, Macrovision Corporation
- Allmusic, Macrovision Corporation
- ^ Faller, Jessica (2001) "Former Sneetches `Fireflies` album shines brightly", The Lantern
- ^ Blog, Jp's Music (2017-05-06). "JP's Music Blog: CD Review: Omnivore Recordings Collects The Best Of The Sneetches For New "Retrospective"". JP's Music Blog. Retrieved 2017-05-08.
- ^ Spavid (2017-05-03). "Wilfully Obscure: The Sneetches - Form of Play: A Retrospective (2017, Omnivore) - A brief overview". Wilfully Obscure. Retrieved 2017-05-08.
- ^ "The Sneetches - Form of Play: A Retrospective (Omnivore Recordings)". The Big Takeover. Retrieved 2017-05-08.
- Dagger. May 2017. Retrieved 2017-05-09.
- ^ "Retrospective of Undeservedly Obscure Bay Area Pop Band". No Depression. 2017-05-26. Retrieved 2017-05-27.
- ^ "Retrospective of Undeservedly Obscure Bay Area Pop Band". No Depression. 2017-05-26. Retrieved 2017-05-27.
- ^ Borack, John (2017-09-02). "Goldmine". Archived from the original on 2017-09-02. Retrieved 2017-09-02.
- ^ "THE SNEETCHES / HELOISE By Glenn Scheuleter". YouTube. 2015-05-26. Archived from the original on 2021-12-15. Retrieved 2017-06-17.
External links
- The Sneetches at The Bus Stop Label