finetune artist: BedHead

Bedhead, from Dallas, Texas, USA, were regularly name-checked by peers such as the Breeders, Luna, Come, Seam and the UK's Stereolab on their breakthrough in the mid-90s. They specialized in a mature form of alternative guitar pop songwriting that eschewed all notions of bombast in favour of lo-fi subtlety and craft. Cover versions of songs by Joy Division ("Disorder") and the Stranglers ("Golden Brown") also indicated their versatility. Originally formed in 1991, the quartet made their debut the following year with the "Bedside Table" single. The full-length WhatFunLifeWas was released in 1994 on the Trance Syndicate Records label, while a subsequent four song EP was recorded live in a church in front of a stereo microphone and issued with a similar absence of fanfare. Guitarist Bubba Kadane acted as spokesman for the band (comprising his brother Matt Kadane, bass player Kris Wheat, drummer Trini Martinez, and occasional guitarist Tench Coxe), but otherwise they shunned interviews and avoided using real names, refusing to have their photographs taken as it "leads to preconceptions'. Their third long-player, 1998"s Transaction De Novo, was produced by Steve Albini and received excellent reviews. Unfortunately it proved to be Bedhead's swansong, although a 10-inch single, "Lepidoptera", appeared posthumously. The Kadane brothers eventually formed another band, the New Year, which also featured Chris Brokaw of Come.

Listen to BedHead at Finetune.

Beheaded
What's Missing
The Unpredictable Landlord
Bedside Table
Roman Candle