Garbage
Upon hearing the playback of producer/drummer Butch Vig's loops and samples, a band member commented, "that sounds like garbage." Wouldn't you know, the name stuck.
Vig and Duke Erikson (guitars/keyboards/bass) were part of Spooner. Along the way they met guitarist/bassist Steve Marker, producing three albums. Then they became Firetown, which produced two more.
Both Vig and Marker had music production backgrounds. Marker had bought recording equipment, which he used to record Spooner. Vig had developed an interest in electronic music, synthesizers and production. He went on to produced Nirvana, Smashing Pumpkins and Sonic Youth.
Often bands are missing a key element and go looking for it in another band. Garbage got their lead singer from Angelfish. Vig, Erikson and Marker first saw Scottish born Shirley Manson on MTV's "120 Minutes" and hooked up with her when Angelfish toured the States. She went through what was termed an "introductory recording session" or audition and joined the band.
In '95 Garbage released their self-titled debut album which sold four million copies worldwide. The song that hit first was "Stupid Girl." The CD also included the haunting "Queer," and the thickly textured "Only Happy When It Rains." They also contributed "#1 Crush" to the Romeo & Juliet soundtrack.
May, '98 saw the release of "Version 2.0." The CD had singles "Push It" and "I Think I'm Paranoid." The band also earned various video awards. "BeautifulGarbage" arrived in '01. After a four year break Garbage returned with "Bleed Like Me.
Out of the box Garbage demonstrated enough innovation to instantly build a huge audience and garner impressive sales for their self-titled debut. Chalk full of hits "Garbage" is their premier effort. Singer Shirley Manson is in top form while the group, working under drummer/producer Butch Vig's direction, delivers the trademark jangle/clutter sound. "Only Happy When It Rains" and "Stupid Girl" are pulsating Rockers. "2.0" is the aptly named follow-up that is more of the same but not as strong. "Push It" with a nice Beach Boy - Don't Worry, Baby" refrain, comes off as the best track. There's also "Special" with a light pop/Rock surface, jangle guitars and melodic vocal harmonies. "BeautifulGarbage" proves the concept is still viable but the group's ability to dazzle is slipping.
You could call "Bleed Like Me" Garbage's "clean" album. That doesn't refer to lyrical content but rather the production. Those dense sound montages that marked Garbage's earlier work are gone. They've given way to a solid, if generic, Hard Rock sound. There are several reasons to get this CD including the title track, "Run Baby Run" and "Why Do You Love Me?" It's good but it's not the same. Once Garbage pulled the mainstream their way, now they've vaulted into the fray. There's less garbage in Garbage.