At the Spine

Seattle punk threesome At the Spine draws comparisons to acts such as Fugazi, the Pixies, Hüsker Dü, and Guided by Voices, yet the band maintains that its range of influences never leads to direct imitation. Guitarist and vocalist Mike Toschi assembled the lineup with drummer Chris Croft and bassist Richie Parish after earlier turns playing guitar in the Plains and Bit Part, establishing Global Seepej Records, and issuing his solo album Mock Democracy in 2000. The trio’s debut, The Curriculum Is Never Neutral, appeared in 2003. The group soon earned notice around Seattle for its incisive lyrics, which moved between socio-political observations and reflections on ordinary experience. Following the 2005 release of First Day of Spring, the band delivered Sonic Resistance in 2007.