Shellac (band)

Shellac
Shellac performing live in Hamburg, Nov. 1, 2014
Background information
Origin	Chicago, Illinois, United States
Genres	Post-hardcore,noise rock, math rock
Years active	1992–present
Labels	Touch and Go, Drag City, Skin Graft
Associated acts	Big Black, Brick Layer Cake, Flour, Mission of Burma, Rapeman, Volcano Suns, Breaking Circus
Website	Official website
Members	Todd Trainer Bob Weston Steve Albini

Shellac is an American post-hardcore band from Chicago, Illinois, composed of Steve Albini (guitar and vocals), Bob Weston (bass guitar and vocals) and Todd Trainer (drums and vocals) and formed in 1992. Although they have been classified as post-hardcore they describe themselves as a "minimalist rock trio."

Shellac formed in Chicago, Illinois, in 1992 as an informal collaboration between guitarist Steve Albini and drummer Todd Trainer. Former Naked Raygun bassist Camilo Gonzalez sat in on early rehearsals and played on one song on Shellac's first single before permanent bassist Bob Weston, formerly of Boston's Volcano Suns, joined.

Shellac has a distinctive, minimalist sound based on asymmetric time signatures, repetitive rhythms, an angular guitar sound, and both Albini's and Weston's surreal, bitingly sarcastic lyrics. Songs typically do not have traditional verse/chorus/verse structure and the arrangements are sparse, to the point where some describe them as "amelodic". Shellac's signature sound is often associated with their enthusiasm for vintage Travis Bean guitars, a rare brand of aluminium-necked instruments, and the Interfax "Harmonic Percolator" distortion pedal. Albini is also known to use copper plectrums and typically wraps his guitar strap around his waist rather than over his shoulder. The band prefers the intimacy of smaller clubs and live appearances are sporadic.

Both Weston and Albini are recording engineers. They prefer a sparse, analog recording sound with little or no overdubbing, and are meticulous about microphone placement and choice of equipment.