Everclear
 f. 1992 in Portland, OR, USA

 

Comprising Art Alexakis (vocals, guitar), Craig Montoya (bass, vocals) and Greg Eklund (drums), Everclear were formed in Portland, Oregon, in 1992. Alexakis had previously worked as a roadie for a succession of north-west punk bands. Undulging in copious quantities of drugs, he only decided to start his own group when a cocaine overdose temporarily stopped his heart. Early comparisons to Nirvana (exacerbated by the singer#s blonde hair) went into overdrive when Kurt Cobain publicly stated his approval. They made their debut in 1994 with World of Noise, which included the intriguing "Sparkle" ('Fire pulls the spirit from the corporate whore / I'm embarrassed by the plaid you wear / If I were you I'd hide behind that stupid bleached blond hair'). Critics were left unsure as to who the reference concerned, Alexakis or Cobain. It was followed by a mini-album, White Trash Hell, again on Fire Records, before moving to Capitol Records. They were signed by Gary Gersh, who had previosuly taken both Nirvana and Sonic Youth to Geffen Records. In 1995 they released their first album for the new label, the critically lauded Sparkle and Fade.