Semisonic

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Semisonic
A basement concert on July 26, 2006
A basement concert on July 26, 2006
Background information
Origin Flag of the United States Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
Genre(s) Alternative rock
Post-grunge
Pop rock
Years active 1995–2001 (Currently On Hiatus)
Label(s) MCA
Website http://www.semisonic.com/
Members
Dan Wilson
John Munson
Jacob Slichter

Semisonic is an alternative rock band formed in Minneapolis, Minnesota in 1995 (see 1995 in music). The band consists of three members: Dan Wilson (lead vocals, guitar), John Munson (bass guitar, backing vocals, keyboard), and Jacob Slichter (drums, percussion, keyboard).

Contents

[edit] History

After the breakup of Trip Shakespeare, Dan Wilson and John Munson joined up with drummer Jacob Slichter to form Semisonic in 1995. An EP, Pleasure, was released that year on Boston indie label CherryDisc, and the studio full-length Great Divide in 1996 on MCA.

Semisonic's breakthrough came two years later in 1998 when their second album, Feeling Strangely Fine, reached the Top 50 chart on the strength of the hit single "Closing Time", their biggest hit in the United States.

Their international career also blossomed when another song from the album, "Secret Smile", quickly became a UK radio favorite in the summer of 1999, eventually peaking at #13 on the official UK Singles Chart.

In early 2001, the band released its third album, All About Chemistry. The single "Chemistry" was a mainstay overseas; however, the album didn't fare as well in the United States. Another song, "Over My Head", was used in the 2001 teen flick Summer Catch, and Semisonic rode the wave of various tours in and around the UK. In the fall of 2001, Semisonic contributed their cover of the Wings classic, "Jet", for the Paul McCartney tribute CD, Listen to What the Man Said.

[edit] Later years

Although not officially broken up, Semisonic was put on hold from 2001 as band members pursued other projects, such as Slichter's writing career and Wilson's solo recordings. Semisonic also performed at First Avenue on Dec. 12 and 13, 2003, and for the Minneapolis Aquatennial on July 14, 2006.

[edit] Soundtracks & Compilations

[edit] Discography

[edit] Studio albums

[edit] Live albums

  • 2003: One Night at First Avenue

[edit] Singles

  • 1996: "Down In Flames" from Great Divide
  • 1996: "F.N.T." from Great Divide and The Long Kiss Goodnight - Original Soundtrack Album -- #30 Billboard Mainstream Rock Tracks
  • 1996: "Delicious" from Great Divide and Friends Again - Original TV Soundtrack
  • 1996: "If I Run" from Great Divide
  • 1998: "Closing Time" from Feeling Strangely Fine -- #1 Billboard Modern Rock Tracks, #13 Mainstream Rock Tracks
  • 1998: "Singing in My Sleep" from Feeling Strangely Fine -- #11 Billboard Modern Rock Tracks, #31 Mainstream Rock Tracks
  • 1999: "Secret Smile" from Feeling Strangely Fine -- #21 Billboard Modern Rock Tracks
  • 2001: "Chemistry" from All About Chemistry -- #39 Billboard Modern Rock Tracks
  • 2001: "Get A Grip" from All About Chemistry (UK only)
  • 2001: "Over My Head" from Summer Catch - Original Soundtrack Album

[edit] Other projects by members

Dan Wilson took time out to do some solo projects and play tour dates around the Midwest in December. Munson joined up with Wilson's brother and former Trip Shakespeare frontman Matt Wilson to form a side project, The Flops, in 2001, though they were expected to make a final performance in early 2005.

In 2004, Jacob Slichter's book So You Wanna Be a Rock & Roll Star (ISBN 0-7679-1470-8) was published, detailing some of the experiences the group had while touring and attempting to get airplay on radio stations across the US.

In late spring of 2005, John Munson began playing in a new trio, "The New Standards" featuring Chan Poling (of The Suburbs) and Steve Roehm.

On October 16, 2007 Rick Rubin's label American Recordings released Dan Wilson's solo album, Free Life, featuring collaborations with numerous artists including John Munson and Jacob Slichter. The song "Cry" was the album's single.

[edit] External links