Cupcakes

Hailing from Chicago, the power pop quartet known as Cupcakes features Preston Graves on vocals, Greg Suran handling guitar and vocals, Solomon Snyder on bass, and Matt Walker at the drums. Prior to the formation of Cupcakes, a group named Tribal Opera included Walker, Snyder, and Graves among its members. Following the breakup of that ensemble during the middle portion of the 1990s, Graves started working together with Suran, an individual whose past efforts encompassed the Blue Man Group, a collective blending performance art and rock, in addition to Machines of Loving Grace. Snyder and Walker integrated into the group by 1996, at which point Cupcakes commenced their live performances, opening for bands including Cornershop, Cibo Matto, and Veruca Salt. The positive reception of these shows prompted a recording session in London alongside Stephen Street; even with internal conflicts plaguing the band, Cupcakes managed to finish their debut album bearing their own name, issued at the start of 2000 via Dreamworks Records.