Verbow

Originating as an offshoot from the Evanston, Illinois duo Jason and Alison, Verbow formed a power pop outfit whose sound drew extra force from singer/guitarist Jason Narducy's punk background and the spellbinding cello lines of Alison Chesley. After recruiting drummer David Suycott and bassist Jason Block, the pair first operated under the name Skinny, only to switch to Verbow once they learned a British group already used the earlier moniker. Mark Doyle and Luke Rothschild then stepped in on drums and bass, respectively. Acquaintance and admirer Bob Mould produced both the EP Holiday and the debut full-length Chronicles, each issued in 1997. Doyle soon exited and was succeeded by Matt Hammon, Mould's touring drummer, who joined midway through early-1999 tracking of the follow-up. Once recording wrapped, Rothschild departed as well, with Lennie Dietsch, formerly of Lotus Crown, taking the bass chair. Brad Wood produced the resulting album White Out, whose release was postponed until summer 2000.