Biography
Though originating on European soil, 18th Dye embraced an American-flavored strain of indie rock that fused melodic pop hooks with ferocious guitar work, drawing clear inspiration from Sonic Youth, the Pixies, and Nirvana. That affinity led to a U.S. distribution arrangement with Matador Records once Yo La Tengo, fellow artists on the same imprint, endorsed the band by leaving a demo tape at the label’s offices. Based in Berlin, Germany, the trio comprised German singer and guitarist Sebastian Büttrich, Danish drummer Piet Bendtsen, and Danish-German singer and bassist Heike Rädeker. Their first full-length effort, the drone-laden and heavily distorted Done, appeared in 1994 with assistance from Chicago-based producer Iain Burgess, whose résumé already included Naked Raygun, Ministry, and Big Black. A more stripped-down six-song EP titled Crayon came next. In 1995 the group enlisted Steve Albini—known for his work with Nirvana, the Breeders, and PJ Harvey—to capture their second album, Tribute to a Bus, which adopted a fiercer, more dynamic sound than its predecessor. After staging three farewell concerts in Berlin, London, and Copenhagen, 18th Dye disbanded in 1999. Büttrich and Bendtsen subsequently launched Kikkert, while Rädeker joined Evonike. Almost ten years later the original members reunited for a handful of live performances. The positive response to those shows prompted Crunchy Frog to extend a recording contract, which the band answered by completing its fourth album, Amorine Queen, issued in May 2008.
Albums
