The Ropers

Formed in 1991 in Washington, D.C., the indie pop outfit known as the Ropers came together through singer Doug Bailey and guitarist Mike Hammel. As University of Maryland students, the pair abandoned their studies after a couple of years to focus on creating music. Drummer Alex Hacker joined their ranks shortly thereafter, an acquaintance from Bailey and Hammel's short-lived time with the Lilys. Bassist Greg Pavlovcak completed the lineup for their initial recordings, which included the 1992 Slumberland single "Sunbathe" and the subsequent "I Don't Mind." The self-titled EP appeared in 1994, succeeded the next year by the album All the Time. Early 1996 saw Hacker's exit, prompting the addition of Mike Donovan on drums for the TeenBeat release The World Is Fire, after which the band dissolved.