Capping Day

Capping Day's atmospheric, ringing indie pop clashed with the prevailing grunge sound that ruled Seattle's music landscape toward the end of the 1980s. Surprisingly, the band ranked among the earliest alternative rock acts from the city eyed for mainstream success. The quartet came together in 1986, consisting of Laura Weller handling vocals and guitar, Bonnie Hammond on vocals and keyboards, Joe Ross playing bass, and Scott McCullum on drums. The group appeared on the 1988 various-artists collection Secretions alongside Pure Joy, Weather Theatre, Skin Yard, and additional Seattle acts. They also took the stage for a live appearance on Spud Goodman's television program. After taking first place in the Snickers/EMI Best Unsigned Band in America competition, Capping Day secured an offer from a major label, yet the members found the terms unsatisfactory and opted to stay independent. An EP titled Post No Bills came out in 1990, preceding the band's dissolution three years later. Weller joined forces with the Green Pajamas in 1997 for the song "Secret Day," featured on their album Strung Behind the Sun. Ross later rejoined the Green Pajamas, prompting Weller to do the same. Kelly and Weller cut the album Ghostland under the Goblin Market name in 2001; Camera Obscura Records issued the project, which drew from the duo's admiration for writers including Emily Bronte, Elizabeth Siddal, Edgar Allan Poe, and Christina Rossetti.