Medicine

Medicine is a Los Angeles noise-rock group from the United States whose work is associated with shoegaze, dream pop, noise pop, glitch pop and indietronica. The band forms in 1991 and remains active. It has two distinct incarnations, with different line-ups and periods of activity.

Formation and early years

The group is formed in 1991 by guitarist and programmer Brad Laner, who is also known as Electric Company. The following year, it signs to Rick Rubin’s American Recordings label. Medicine is regarded as an American counterpart to British shoegaze groups such as My Bloody Valentine, Ride and Chapterhouse.

A defining feature of the band’s sound is Laner’s guitar processing, with the guitar run through a Yamaha 8-track recorder to create its characteristic tone. This helps distinguish the group from other noisy and abstract shoegaze acts.

Film appearance and original break-up

The band appears as itself in the film The Crow, performing “Time Baby III”. Brad Laner breaks up the original line-up in 1995.

Later line-ups and releases

In 2003, The Mechanical Forces of Love is released. For this record, Medicine is a duo made up of Brad Laner and singer Shannon Lee. Lee is the sister of Brandon Lee and the daughter of Bruce Lee.

In 2013, Laner announces a new Medicine track, “Long As The Sun”, with the original line-up.

Members

Across its history, Medicine includes Brad Laner, Shannon Lee, Julia Monreal, Jim Goodall, Matt Devine, Jim Putnam, Eddie Ruscha, Beth Thompson and Annette Zilinskas.