Pavement

Leading players on the US underground scene throughout the 1990s, Pavement's lo-fi, post-punk rock made them cult heroes to college audiences and a huge influence on Blur, Radiohead and Weezer. Formed by Californian friends Stephen Malkmus and Scott Kannberg as an antidote to the long-haired, macho rock of the late 1980s, their jangly, slacker melodies and slouched, ironic indifference made them a favourite with Radio 1 DJ John Peel and they scored a small hit with the single Cut Your Hair. Later single Range Life sparked an ongoing feud with Billy Corgan because of its cutting lyrics about his band Smashing Pumpkins, before experimental third album Wowee Zowee (1995) was acclaimed as the band's finest moment. Forever bubbling just under mainstream acknowledgement, the band split after fifth album Terror Town (1999), produced by Nigel Godrich with Johnny Greenwood on guitar. Malkmus went on to form Silver Jews and Stephen Malkmus And The Jicks. Pavement reformed for a 20th anniversary reunion tour in 2009 but have ruled out writing new material.