Unwound | |
|---|---|
 Unwound performing in 2023. From left to right: Scott Seckington, Jared Warren, Sara Lund, Justin Trosper. | |
| Background information | |
| Also known as |
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| Origin | Tumwater, Washington, U.S. Olympia, Washington, U.S. |
| Genres | |
| Discography | Unwound discography |
| Years active |
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| Labels |
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| Members | Justin Trosper Sara Lund Jared Warren Scott Seckington |
| Past members | Vern Rumsey Brandt Sandeno David Scott Stone |
| Website | unwoundarchive |
Unwound (/ˈʌnˌwaʊnd/[1]) is an American post-hardcore band. Formed in 1988 in Tumwater and Olympia, Washington, the band currently consists of Justin Trosper (vocals, guitar), Jared Warren (bass guitar), Sara Lund (drums), and Scott Seckington (guitar).
Originally founded by Trosper, bassist Vern Rumsey and drummer Brandt Sandeno under the name "Giant Henry," Sandeno was replaced in 1992 by Lund who performed on their debut album in 1993. Largely based in Olympia throughout the 1990s, the trio consisting of Lund, Trosper, and Rumsey recorded seven albums, plus numerous singles, and toured relentlessly until the band's dissolution in 2002.
Often classified as noise rock in addition to post-hardcore, Unwound played a sharply dissonant and angular style that made use of unusual guitar tones, and garnered attention locally for their relentless touring schedules, favour towards "all ages" venues and their strong DIY ethics. Unwound was largely associated with the independent record label Kill Rock Stars throughout the 1990s, with the band's debut album, Fake Train (1993), being the first non-spoken word release from the label. Unwound's wider stature grew with the release of the band's fifth and sixth studio albums Repetition (1996) and Challenge for a Civilized Society (1998), which saw the band experiment with their sound beyond noise rock. Unwound's self-produced seventh album, Leaves Turn Inside You (2001), was the band's only double album, and saw the band stylistically shift into post-rock and avant-garde territory; it was critically acclaimed and later appeared on several best-of album lists of the 2000s.[2][3][4]
Following a disastrous U.S. tour in support of Leaves Turn Inside You, Unwound announced their disbandment in 2002, citing the bandmembers' geographical differences and Vern Rumsey's worsening alcoholism, caused by the stress of touring.[5] Plans for a reunion were repeatedly brought up and shot down throughout the 2010s due to Rumsey's continuous health struggles, and ultimately never occurred before his death in August 2020. In July 2022, Trosper and Lund reformed Unwound for a 2023 tour in Rumsey's memory, with Jared Warren filing in on bass and Scott Seckington on guitar.[6]
Well regarded during their initial existence,[7] Unwound has frequently been seen as one of the most influential bands of the 1990s and has garnered a dedicated cult following since their 2002 disbandment. In 2013, The A.V. Club called Unwound "the best band of the 90s".[8][9] Unwound spawned numerous side projects in the wake of their disbandment.
- ^ Justin Trosper interviewed by Oren Siegel. The Jekyll and Hyde Show. June 2017. Event occurs at 00:21. Retrieved 17 July 2023 – via YouTube.
- ^ "Top 100 Albums of the 2000s". Cokemachineglow.
- ^ "The Top 100 Albums of 2000-04". Pitchfork. 7 February 2005. Retrieved 2020-11-19.
- ^ "Sputnikmusic - Top 100 Albums of the Decade (100 -76) « Staff Blog". Retrieved 2020-11-19.
- ^ "The Unwound Reunion Still Feels Like a Dream". Pitchfork. 2022-09-12. Retrieved 2022-09-13.
- ^ Aubrey, Elizabeth (2022-07-13). "Unwound reunite after 20 years and announce series of live shows". NME. Retrieved 2022-09-13.
- ^ Meany (1998-02-21). "Albums". Kerrang!. No. 687. UK: EMAP. p. 46.
- ^ Cite error: The named reference
avclubwas invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ Gracon, David (2023-02-16). "Unwound Live: DIY Post-Punk Pioneers Return to the Stage after Two Decades". The EDGE. Retrieved 2023-04-09.