Perfect (American band)
Encyclopedia
Perfect were an American alternative rock
group formed in 1995 by Tommy Stinson
, formerly of The Replacements, in Minneapolis, Minnesota
following the breakup of previous group, Bash & Pop
. They released an EP
in 1996 and their debut album, recorded in 1997, was issued in 2004 nearly seven years following the group's breakup in 1998.
, Stinson, switching back to bass having played guitar in Bash & Pop, formed Perfect along with the group's guitarists Marc Solomon and Dave Philips as well as drummer Gersh. After playing a number of shows, they were soon signed to Medium Cool Records
by label head Peter Jesperson, who was also an old manager of The Replacements, were they began recording for a debut EP
.
The When Squirrels Play Chicken EP, produced by Don Smith, was released in 1996 to positive reviews with Greg Prato, of Allmusic, stating "fans will undoubtedly be more pleased with his new band, Perfect, which is much more focused, and in the expected drunken-Johnny Thunders guitar-rock style."
In 1997 the group entered the studio with producer Jim Dickinson
to produce their debut album, tentatively titled Seven Days a Week. Despite completing the album, it was shelved by Regency Pictures, who had acquired Medium Cool distributors Restless Records
, which led to the group's eventual breakup in 1998. The album itself was leaked onto the internet through advance copies were sent out to record labels, however a remixed and resequenced version of Seven Days a Week, retitled Once, Twice, Three Times a Maybe, was released by Rykodisc
in 2004. which was, much like the EP, well received.
to replace departed bassist Duff McKagan
in 1998 as well as releasing his debut solo album, Village Gorilla Head
, in 2004, which featured contributions by Perfect band mates Philips and Gersh. He also joined Soul Asylum
, replacing Karl Mueller
, and helped finish the rest of the recording for the album The Silver Lining released in 2006.
Guitarist Philips went on to tour with Frank Black, of the Pixies, in Frank Black and the Catholics recording a number of albums.
Solomon played in the groups Clumsy and Solly. Perfect's drummer, Gersh, opened a drum sales and rental firm.
Alternative rock
Alternative rock is a genre of rock music and a term used to describe a diverse musical movement that emerged from the independent music underground of the 1980s and became widely popular by the 1990s...
group formed in 1995 by Tommy Stinson
Tommy Stinson
Thomas "Tommy" Eugene Stinson is an American musician best known for his work as the bassist for The Replacements and Guns N' Roses as well as the post-Replacements groups Bash & Pop, where he performed guitar duties, and Perfect...
, formerly of The Replacements, in Minneapolis, Minnesota
Minneapolis, Minnesota
Minneapolis , nicknamed "City of Lakes" and the "Mill City," is the county seat of Hennepin County, the largest city in the U.S. state of Minnesota, and the 48th largest in the United States...
following the breakup of previous group, Bash & Pop
Bash & Pop
Bash & Pop were an American alternative rock group formed in 1992 by Tommy Stinson in Minneapolis, Minnesota following the breakup of previous group, The Replacements...
. They released an EP
Extended play
An EP is a musical recording which contains more music than a single, but is too short to qualify as a full album or LP. The term EP originally referred only to specific types of vinyl records other than 78 rpm standard play records and LP records, but it is now applied to mid-length Compact...
in 1996 and their debut album, recorded in 1997, was issued in 2004 nearly seven years following the group's breakup in 1998.
History
Following the breakup of previous group Bash & PopBash & Pop
Bash & Pop were an American alternative rock group formed in 1992 by Tommy Stinson in Minneapolis, Minnesota following the breakup of previous group, The Replacements...
, Stinson, switching back to bass having played guitar in Bash & Pop, formed Perfect along with the group's guitarists Marc Solomon and Dave Philips as well as drummer Gersh. After playing a number of shows, they were soon signed to Medium Cool Records
Medium Cool Records
Medium Cool was a United Kingdom independent record label that existed between 1986 and 1989. Specializing in jangly guitar-pop, it released records by bands such as The Raw Herbs, The Siddeleys, The Rain, The Waltones, The Popguns, and The Corn Dollies....
by label head Peter Jesperson, who was also an old manager of The Replacements, were they began recording for a debut EP
Extended play
An EP is a musical recording which contains more music than a single, but is too short to qualify as a full album or LP. The term EP originally referred only to specific types of vinyl records other than 78 rpm standard play records and LP records, but it is now applied to mid-length Compact...
.
The When Squirrels Play Chicken EP, produced by Don Smith, was released in 1996 to positive reviews with Greg Prato, of Allmusic, stating "fans will undoubtedly be more pleased with his new band, Perfect, which is much more focused, and in the expected drunken-Johnny Thunders guitar-rock style."
In 1997 the group entered the studio with producer Jim Dickinson
Jim Dickinson
James Luther "Jim" Dickinson was an American record producer, pianist, and singer who fronted, among others, the Memphis based band, Mudboy & The Neutrons.- Biography :...
to produce their debut album, tentatively titled Seven Days a Week. Despite completing the album, it was shelved by Regency Pictures, who had acquired Medium Cool distributors Restless Records
Restless Records
Restless Records was started in El Segundo, California in 1981 by Enigma Records and primarly released alternative, metal and punk records. Restless also licensed and released records from Bar/None Records, Metal Blade Records and Mute Records...
, which led to the group's eventual breakup in 1998. The album itself was leaked onto the internet through advance copies were sent out to record labels, however a remixed and resequenced version of Seven Days a Week, retitled Once, Twice, Three Times a Maybe, was released by Rykodisc
Rykodisc
Rykodisc Records is an American record label. It is owned by Warner Music Group, operates as a unit of WMG's Independent Label Group and is distributed through Alternative Distribution Alliance.-Company history:...
in 2004. which was, much like the EP, well received.
Post-breakup
Following the breakup, Stinson was hired by Guns N' RosesGuns N' Roses
Guns N' Roses is an American hard rock band, formed in Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, in 1985. The band has released six studio albums, three EPs, and one live album...
to replace departed bassist Duff McKagan
Duff McKagan
Michael Andrew "Duff" McKagan is an American musician and writer. He is best known for his twelve-year tenure as the bassist of the hard rock band Guns N' Roses, with whom he achieved worldwide success in the late 1980s and early 1990s...
in 1998 as well as releasing his debut solo album, Village Gorilla Head
Village Gorilla Head
Village Gorilla Head is the debut album by Guns N' Roses and former The Replacements bassist Tommy Stinson released on Jul 27, 2004 through Sanctuary Records...
, in 2004, which featured contributions by Perfect band mates Philips and Gersh. He also joined Soul Asylum
Soul Asylum
Soul Asylum is an American alternative rock band that formed in Minneapolis, Minnesota in 1983.The band originally formed in 1981 under the name Loud Fast Rules, with the original line-up consisting of Dan Murphy, Dave Pirner, Karl Mueller and Pat Morley. The latter was replaced by Grant Young in...
, replacing Karl Mueller
Karl Mueller
Karl Mueller was an American rock musician. He was the bass player and a founding member of the Minneapolis Alternative Rock band, Soul Asylum....
, and helped finish the rest of the recording for the album The Silver Lining released in 2006.
Guitarist Philips went on to tour with Frank Black, of the Pixies, in Frank Black and the Catholics recording a number of albums.
Solomon played in the groups Clumsy and Solly. Perfect's drummer, Gersh, opened a drum sales and rental firm.
Band members
- Tommy StinsonTommy StinsonThomas "Tommy" Eugene Stinson is an American musician best known for his work as the bassist for The Replacements and Guns N' Roses as well as the post-Replacements groups Bash & Pop, where he performed guitar duties, and Perfect...
– vocalsSingingSinging is the act of producing musical sounds with the voice, and augments regular speech by the use of both tonality and rhythm. One who sings is called a singer or vocalist. Singers perform music known as songs that can be sung either with or without accompaniment by musical instruments...
, bassBass guitarThe bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick.... - Marc Solomon – guitarGuitarThe guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
, vocals - Dave Philips – guitar, vocals
- Gersh – drumsDrum kitA drum kit is a collection of drums, cymbals and often other percussion instruments, such as cowbells, wood blocks, triangles, chimes, or tambourines, arranged for convenient playing by a single person ....