Biography
Varnaline operates as the alter superego of multi-instrumentalist Anders Parker, whose guitar and songwriting anchor the crunch rock outfit whose name rhymes with gasoline. While based in New York City and already contributing to the indie rock ensemble Space Needle, Parker issued four-track demos in 1996 as the Varnaline album Man of Sin. Independent label Zero Hour released that project alongside the 1997 EP A Shot and a Beer, both of which convey the singer/songwriter’s rough honesty and gritty punch. Parker then enlisted his brother John Parker on bass and Space Needle’s Jud Ehrbar on drums and keyboards for the band’s self-titled full-length, which appeared in 1997. The following year brought the third album, Sweet Life, whose songs grew more melodic and haunting while retaining the heavy power for which the group had become recognized. Zero Hour Records’ dissolution stranded the band in limbo and ended its performances, though Parker kept recording; under the Varnaline name he delivered Songs in a Northern Key via Artemis Records in summer 2001.
Albums
