Gaunt

Formed by frontman Jerry Wick in the early ’90s (drummer Jeff Regensburge and guitarist Jovan Karcic would remain staple members, but they went through several bassist changes), Gaunt quickly laid the groundwork for a Columbus, Ohio, scene that also sprouted the New Bomb Turks, and were kindred spirits with fellow Ohioans Guided By Voices, among others. They also became the inaugural signing for then-emerging Thrill Jockey records, putting out vinyl debuts like WHITEY THE MAN and SOB STORY, before emerging with a slightly more refined official full-length, I CAN SEE YOUR MOM FROM HERE, in 1995. Over the next three years, Wick’s songs would evolve from shambolic garage punk to more nuanced pop leanings. The band reached their commercial peak with the Warner Bros.-released BRICKS AND BLACKOUTS in 1998, but their lifespan was cut short when Wick was killed after being struck by a car while riding his bicycle in 2001.