Biography
Slint attracted minimal notice across their brief existence yet later ranked among the most consequential acts to surface from the 1980s American indie rock underground. Their daring and unorthodox shifts in dynamics, pacing, and form established the quartet as foundational influences on the post-rock style that expanded throughout the next decade. Such recognition appears especially striking because the band produced just two full-length releases during their first phase, Tweez in 1989 and Spiderland in 1991.
The band’s history started with singer-guitarist Brian McMahan and drummer Britt Walford, who met as students in Louisville, Kentucky. While still in junior high during 1981 they started Languid and Flaccid, a group that also contained Ned Oldham; his younger brother Will later recorded as the Palace Brothers and Bonnie “Prince” Billy. McMahan and Walford later collaborated again inside the acclaimed Louisville hardcore outfit Squirrel Bait, whose lineup featured Peter Searcy on vocals, David Grubbs on guitar, and bassist Ethan Buckler. Ben Daughtrey had taken Walford’s place behind the kit by the time the band tracked its two intense albums, the self-titled 1985 LP and 1987’s Skag Heaven, after which Squirrel Bait dissolved. Former members subsequently launched Gastr del Sol, Big Wheel, and Bastro. Meanwhile McMahan and Walford spent brief stretches in Maurice, a prog- and metal-leaning unit that included guitarist David Pajo. In 1986 McMahan, Walford, and Pajo enlisted Ethan Buckler for a new project first called Small Tight Dirty Tufts of Hair; its debut performance at a church drew largely negative reactions from the congregation. The ensemble soon adopted the name Slint and began performing regularly around Louisville while sharpening its approach.
Produced by Steve Albini, the four-piece tracked Tweez, which appeared on their own Jennifer Hartman imprint in 1989. The record presented an assortment of unusual stylistic choices, broken rhythms, and cryptic lyrical snippets that drew from almost no prior models and resisted straightforward categorization. Dissatisfied with Albini’s mix, which he found excessively forceful, Buckler departed and soon formed King Kong. Todd Brashear assumed bass duties in time to cut 1991’s Spiderland with producer Brian Paulson; the sessions lasted only four days and the album came out on Touch & Go Records. Even more intricate and exploratory than its predecessor, Spiderland gradually reached receptive listeners and was frequently cited as the foundational statement of the post-rock movement. By 1993 the album had drawn sufficient attention for Touch & Go to reissue Tweez, while two tracks recorded between the two LPs finally surfaced in 1994. Slint had already disbanded before widespread acclaim arrived, although the members reconvened for a few concerts in 1992 and 1994.
Although the group remained inactive, its individual members continued to play central roles in Louisville’s independent community. After studying art, Pajo joined Tortoise, while Walford, performing under the name Shannon Doughton, played drums with the Breeders before rejoining Buckler in King Kong. McMahan and Brashear assisted Will Oldham in his continually evolving Palace collective, which at various times also included Pajo and Walford; McMahan and Pajo later reunited briefly in the For Carnation. Slint mounted a warmly received series of reunion shows in 2007. Pajo subsequently maintained an active schedule as bandleader and collaborator, releasing albums with Papa M and Dead Child and working with Zwan, Interpol, the Yeah Yeah Yeahs, and Gang of Four.
Touch & Go issued an expansive reissue of Spiderland in 2014 that paired a remastered edition of the original album with seventy-nine minutes of outtakes, demos, and additional material. The package also contained a DVD of Lance Bangs’s documentary Breadcrumb Trail, which examined Slint and the creation of Spiderland; the film enjoyed a limited theatrical run. To mark the release of both the film and the box set, Slint played a short U.S. tour. In 2024 Touch & Go Records released a 35th Anniversary edition of Tweez. A remastered version of the album appeared on LP and compact disc, while a deluxe vinyl pressing added a second disc presenting a remixed version overseen by Ethan Buckler that aimed to realize the subtler balance he had originally favored.
The band’s history started with singer-guitarist Brian McMahan and drummer Britt Walford, who met as students in Louisville, Kentucky. While still in junior high during 1981 they started Languid and Flaccid, a group that also contained Ned Oldham; his younger brother Will later recorded as the Palace Brothers and Bonnie “Prince” Billy. McMahan and Walford later collaborated again inside the acclaimed Louisville hardcore outfit Squirrel Bait, whose lineup featured Peter Searcy on vocals, David Grubbs on guitar, and bassist Ethan Buckler. Ben Daughtrey had taken Walford’s place behind the kit by the time the band tracked its two intense albums, the self-titled 1985 LP and 1987’s Skag Heaven, after which Squirrel Bait dissolved. Former members subsequently launched Gastr del Sol, Big Wheel, and Bastro. Meanwhile McMahan and Walford spent brief stretches in Maurice, a prog- and metal-leaning unit that included guitarist David Pajo. In 1986 McMahan, Walford, and Pajo enlisted Ethan Buckler for a new project first called Small Tight Dirty Tufts of Hair; its debut performance at a church drew largely negative reactions from the congregation. The ensemble soon adopted the name Slint and began performing regularly around Louisville while sharpening its approach.
Produced by Steve Albini, the four-piece tracked Tweez, which appeared on their own Jennifer Hartman imprint in 1989. The record presented an assortment of unusual stylistic choices, broken rhythms, and cryptic lyrical snippets that drew from almost no prior models and resisted straightforward categorization. Dissatisfied with Albini’s mix, which he found excessively forceful, Buckler departed and soon formed King Kong. Todd Brashear assumed bass duties in time to cut 1991’s Spiderland with producer Brian Paulson; the sessions lasted only four days and the album came out on Touch & Go Records. Even more intricate and exploratory than its predecessor, Spiderland gradually reached receptive listeners and was frequently cited as the foundational statement of the post-rock movement. By 1993 the album had drawn sufficient attention for Touch & Go to reissue Tweez, while two tracks recorded between the two LPs finally surfaced in 1994. Slint had already disbanded before widespread acclaim arrived, although the members reconvened for a few concerts in 1992 and 1994.
Although the group remained inactive, its individual members continued to play central roles in Louisville’s independent community. After studying art, Pajo joined Tortoise, while Walford, performing under the name Shannon Doughton, played drums with the Breeders before rejoining Buckler in King Kong. McMahan and Brashear assisted Will Oldham in his continually evolving Palace collective, which at various times also included Pajo and Walford; McMahan and Pajo later reunited briefly in the For Carnation. Slint mounted a warmly received series of reunion shows in 2007. Pajo subsequently maintained an active schedule as bandleader and collaborator, releasing albums with Papa M and Dead Child and working with Zwan, Interpol, the Yeah Yeah Yeahs, and Gang of Four.
Touch & Go issued an expansive reissue of Spiderland in 2014 that paired a remastered edition of the original album with seventy-nine minutes of outtakes, demos, and additional material. The package also contained a DVD of Lance Bangs’s documentary Breadcrumb Trail, which examined Slint and the creation of Spiderland; the film enjoyed a limited theatrical run. To mark the release of both the film and the box set, Slint played a short U.S. tour. In 2024 Touch & Go Records released a 35th Anniversary edition of Tweez. A remastered version of the album appeared on LP and compact disc, while a deluxe vinyl pressing added a second disc presenting a remixed version overseen by Ethan Buckler that aimed to realize the subtler balance he had originally favored.
Albums
Singles
