Pavement In Profile

Pavement were an Indie Rock quintet from Stockton, CA. During the '90s, they became the biggest band of their genre. Beginning in the late '80s as a project for Stephen Malkmus and Scott Kannberg, Pavement progressed into a Lo-Fi group, and finally into a major label band. Their first two albums, Slanted And Enchanted and Crooked Rain, Crooked Rain, are considered classics. Influenced by The Velvet Underground and The Fall, Pavement's loose, catchy, artsy sound has inspired legions of followers. Since disbanding in 1999, Malkmus has fostered a successful solo career, supported by his new band, The Jicks.

In 1989, guitarists and vocalists Malkmus ("S.M.") and Kannberg ("Spiral Stairs") began recording in drummer Gary Young's home studio, Louder Than You Think. That year, they released their first EP, Slay Tracks (1933-1969), on their own Treble Kicker label. Though only 1,000 were pressed, the EP landed in the hands of UK DJ John Peel, and Robert Christgau graded it an A-.

The attention meant the group's second EP, 1990's Demolition Plot J-7, was released on Chicago's Drag City Records. That label also issued their follow-up, 1991 EP, Perfect Sound Forever. That year, Pavement became a band, taking on Young as drummer, Mark Ibold on bass, and adding a second drummer, Bob Nastanovich.

On April 20, 1992, Matador released Pavement's debut album, Slanted And Enchanted. Mixing Malkmus's literate lyrics with Punk energy, melodic Rock and Jazzy riffs, the record was a critical favorite and broke the UK top 100. It has since been deemed a classic by Spin, Time, and Pitchfork.

The album was recorded by the original trio of Malkmus, Kannberg, and Young, but the full quintet toured the nation to promote it. They also all contributed to Pavement's next EP, Watery, Domestic, released November 25, 1992. In early 1993, Young was asked to leave the band. He was replaced by drummer Steve West. On March 22, Drag City compiled the band's early EPs onto Westing By Musket And Sextant. It reached #30 on the UK charts.

Pavement released their sophomore album, Crooked Rain, Crooked Rain, on February 2, 1994. The band's sound was tighter and their songs more classically Rock. The record was heaped with praise by the press. It hit #15 in England and got Pavement into the Billboard Top 200. The lead single, "Cut Your Hair", was a hit on Alternative Rock radio and its video an MTV staple at the time.

Pavement played Lollapalooza that summer. On April 11, 1995, the band issued its third LP, Wowee Zowee. Nearly an hour long, its 18 tracks revived the wide sonic variety of Slanted And Enchanted. On the charts, it faired comparably to its predecessor. In early 1996, Pavement released the short but sweet Pacific Trim EP.

Pavement's fourth studio album, Brighten The Corners, was released February 11, 1997. It was considerably tighter and more coherent than Wowee Zowee. It would be the band's highest charting album in the US, reaching #70 on Billboard. In the UK, it peaked at 27. Pavement released Terror Twilight, their fifth and final album, on June 8, 1999. Produced by Nigel Godrich, famed for his work with Radiohead, Terror Twilight was their most sober and somber record. The band officially went on hiatus that year, but were confirmed to be broken up shortly thereafter.

Since disbanding, Stephen Malkmus has enjoyed a successful solo career, thus far releasing three records with backing band The Jicks. Scott Kannberg reunited with Gary Young and formed the band Preston School of Industry, which has issued two LPs to date. In the 2000s, Matador began reissuing each of Pavement's albums as remastered 2-CD sets loaded with bonus tracks. The first three albums have received this deluxe treatment, with the final two to follow soon. The legacy of this great Indie Rock band is ensured.