Superchunk

Superchunk’s powerful, pop-fuelled punk has made them long-running American indie-rock icons. Formed in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, in 1989, the band, led by guitarist/vocalist Mac McCaughan and bassist Laura Ballance, erupted with their debut single, “What Do I”, released on their own label, Merge Records; the follow-up—the blazing frustration anthem “Slack M**********r”—became an instant ‘90s indie-rock classic. Following the addition of guitarist Jim Wilbur, the brilliant 1991 No Pocky for Kitty, recorded by Steve Albini, paired Superchunk’s punk ethos with sing-along pop melodies. Drummer Jon Wurster joined the band in time for 1993’s On the Mouth and 1994’s Foolish, adding barrelling booms to the mix on songs like "Precision Auto” and power ballad “Driveway to Driveway”. The band—and its record label—grew, both becoming institutions. Always political, Superchunk, still reeling from the 2016 presidential election, released the howling What a Time to Be Alive (2018), before returning to more melodic roots on 2022’s Wild Loneliness.