Despite a moniker that implied greater commercial prospects than reality delivered, the four-piece Charthogs from California’s San Fernando Valley ranked among the countless pop-oriented alternative rock acts that major labels rushed to sign in the wake of Nirvana’s breakthrough. Danny Pinnella on vocals and guitar, Mat Dennis on guitar, Ric Markmann on bass—previously a member of the alt-rock outfit Cry Charity—and drummer Mauro Rubbi inked a deal with Atlantic in 1993, resulting in the release of their self-titled debut album the year after. Issued in 1994, the band’s somewhat heavier follow-up Do Your Mind contained a standout version of Neil Young’s classic “Mr. Soul,” which outshone the rest of the record. After Atlantic ended the relationship the group dissolved, though Markmann later appeared in Chris Cornell’s post-Soundgarden touring ensemble.
