Tadpoles

Emerging from Hoboken, NJ in the early '90s, Tadpoles took shape as an outlet for frontman Todd Parker's songwriting. Over time the psychedelically inclined group settled into a consistent roster featuring Parker alongside guitarist and vocalist Nick Kramer, bassist David Max, and drummer Adam Boyette. To handle their output independently, the band established Bakery Records, which issued three studio albums—each produced by former Shimmy-Disc founder Kramer—plus an EP and a live album.

On the group's debut, He Fell From The Sky, vocalist and guitarist Todd Parker composed and performed every track. Beginning with the follow-up releases Far Out and Smoke Ghost, guitarist Nick Kramer—previously limited to feedback and atmospheric guitar textures until rhythm guitarist Andrew Jackson exited—started contributing original material and has since become a central creative presence in Tadpoles. Parker also singles out the band's newest member, drummer Adam Boyette, for praise: "As far as we're concerned, Adam is the key to the band right now. He's given us a rejuvenation, both creatively and toward the whole music business. Good drummers are really hard to find and we are happy we found him."

A four-star Rolling Stone critique of the second album Far Out, together with a warmly received 1997 appearance at the Terrastock Festival presented by the U.K. magazine Ptolemaic Terrascope, helped build a nationwide audience. Whirlaway appeared in 1999.