Superchunk
Superchunk is an American indie rock band from Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States, consisting of singer-guitarist Mac McCaughan, guitarist Jim Wilbur, bassist Laura Ballance, and drummer Laura King. Formed in 1989, they were one of the bands that helped define the Chapel Hill music scene of the 1990s.[1] Their energetic, high-velocity style and do-it-yourself ethic is influenced by punk rock, notably such bands as Hüsker Dü,[2][3] Sonic Youth, Minutemen,[2] and Buzzcocks.[3]
Superchunk
Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States
1989–present
- Mac McCaughan
- Laura Ballance
- Jim Wilbur
- Jason Narducy
- Laura King
- Chuck Garrison
- Jack McCook
- Jon Wurster
Members McCaughan and Ballance founded the successful independent record label Merge Records in 1989 as a way to release music from Superchunk and music created by friends, which has expanded to include artists from around the world and records reaching the top of the Billboard music charts. Superchunk released a string of full-length albums and compilations throughout the 1990s. After releasing their eighth studio album in 2001, the band went into a period of reduced activity. In 2010, the band released a new studio album, Majesty Shredding, and followed it up in 2013 with their tenth studio album, I Hate Music. Their eleventh studio album, What a Time to Be Alive, was released on February 16, 2018.[4] Their twelfth album, Wild Loneliness, was released in February 2022.[5]
Side projects[edit]
Mac McCaughan has recorded several albums as Portastatic. Initially a solo project, Portastatic has evolved into a full band, which currently includes Superchunk's Jim Wilbur as a member.
Jim Wilbur, a graduate of Fairfield University, in Fairfield, Connecticut, has recorded a number of singles and an album as Humidifier. The album Nothing Changes was released on Link Records in 1996. Humidifier also includes John King from another Merge Records band, Spent.
In addition to his work on The Best Show with Tom Scharpling, Jon Wurster joined the group the Mountain Goats in 2007, playing drums on the last leg of the Get Lonely tour. Wurster also began performing and recording on drums with Bob Mould in 2008.[17] He remained a member of Superchunk until 2023.
