The Muffs

Often portrayed as a pop-punk outfit, the Muffs both embodied and moved beyond that category through the leadership of guitarist, singer, and songwriter Kim Shattuck. The group delivered fast, loud, and cheerfully irreverent rock & roll while displaying a rare knack for melody and pop hooks, allowing the music’s brighter and edgier elements to enhance each other. Shattuck possessed a distinctive rock & roll instrument capable of shifting from sweetly girlish tones to a full-throated roar, and she crafted lyrics that remained introspective and serious even when the band accelerated into high gear. Usually supported by bassist Ronnie Barnett and drummer Roy McDonald, the Muffs built a strong reputation as a compelling live act prior to signing with Warner Bros., where their 1993 self-titled debut struck an ideal mix of raw impact and refined production. The follow-up, 1995’s Blonder and Blonder, which solidified the group’s classic lineup, came close to matching that achievement while remaining equally engaging. After parting ways with Warner Bros. and shifting to independent labels, the Muffs issued recordings less frequently, yet 2014’s Whoop Dee Doo stood as a late-career highlight comparable to their strongest efforts, and 2019’s No Holiday served as a poignant farewell assembled while Shattuck battled amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.

The band’s origins trace to the 1980s, when Kim Shattuck and Melanie Vammen performed together in the L.A. group the Pandoras, an all-female act that started as garage-rock revivalists before developing into hard-edged rockers with a bold attitude. Both musicians exited the Pandoras in 1990, shortly before leader Paula Pierce passed away. Motivated to collaborate again, Shattuck and Vammen formed the Muffs, with Shattuck handling lead vocals and lead guitar, Vammen on rhythm guitar, Ronnie Barnett on bass, and Chris Crass on drums. Their energetic yet melodic sound and high-spirited performances quickly attracted attention in Los Angeles, aided by early independent singles on Sub Pop and Sympathy for the Record Industry. Warner Bros. offered the band a contract, resulting in the 1993 debut album that received alternative-radio play for “Everywhere I Go” and “Lucky Guy.” Extensive touring followed, during which internal strains surfaced; Chris Crass departed and was replaced on the road by Jim Laspesa. Once the tour ended, Melanie Vammen also left to join the Leaving Trains.

By 1994 Shattuck introduced a revised Muffs configuration in which she covered lead vocals and all guitar parts, Ronnie Barnett returned on bass, and former Redd Kross drummer Roy McDonald joined on percussion. This trio became the band’s enduring lineup, recording two further Warner/Reprise albums—1995’s Blonder and Blonder and 1997’s Happy Birthday to Me—along with a version of Kim Wilde’s “Kids in America” for the Clueless soundtrack. Although the second and third releases drew favorable notices, sales fell short of label hopes, leaving the Muffs without a contract by 1998. They partnered with the independent punk imprint Honest Don’s Records for 1999’s Alert Today, Alive Tomorrow, while 2004’s Really Really Happy, largely tracked in Shattuck’s kitchen, appeared on Oglio (CD) and Sympathy for the Record Industry (vinyl). In the interim they issued the 2003 compilation Hamburger, much of whose material resurfaced on the 2011 collection Kaboodle.

Although the Muffs continued to perform sporadically, members pursued separate endeavors after Really Really Happy; Shattuck issued Funtown with her side project the Beards in 2002. In fall 2013 she accepted a high-profile role playing bass with the Pixies following Kim Deal’s exit, only to be dismissed weeks later after reportedly leaping into the crowd to greet fans. The brief stint nevertheless drew widespread press coverage, helping generate interest for 2014’s Whoop Dee Doo, the first Muffs album in nine years. Shattuck and Melanie Vammen later revived the Pandoras, touring and releasing the 2018 EP Hey! It’s the Pandoras. They also launched another side venture, the Coolies, alongside drummer and multi-instrumentalist Palmyra Delran, issuing the EP Uh Oh! It’s … the Coolies in July 2019.

Behind this burst of activity lay a serious health challenge. ALS, or Lou Gehrig’s disease, ran in Shattuck’s family, and after she began losing control of her hands she received a diagnosis in October 2017. Determined to finish one final Muffs record, she drew on demo recordings of songs written between 1991 and 2017. She continued contributing guitar until physical limitations intervened, after which she guided Barnett and McDonald. Additional support came from Adam Schary (chosen by Shattuck for guitar parts), Kristian Hoffman and Melanie Vammen (keyboards), and Karen Basset (ex-Pandora who engineered the home sessions). Shattuck did not survive to witness the album’s release, passing away in her sleep on October 2, 2019, shortly before Omnivore Recordings issued No Holiday.