Born in the United States, Brendan Lynch developed a vocal approach reminiscent of Neil Young, yet his formative training came through the punk groups he entered beginning at age thirteen. He continues to name Black Flag, X, and the Blasters as primary inspirations. Settled in Los Angeles, California, he launched sessions for his debut album in 1995, initially intending to issue it independently. During a search for distribution, he encountered Steve Greenberg, Mercury Records’ head of A&R, who placed him on the roster and took on management duties. Greenberg then connected Lynch with Glen Ballard, the producer of Alanis Morissette’s Jagged Little Pill. Together, Ballard and Lynch wrote the eleven tracks that formed the 1997 release Fighting Gravity. Its title song stood out as the record’s most affecting piece, recounting a protagonist who loses employment and ends his life. The accompanying single, “Wonderful,” addressed the subject of drug addiction.
