Pinebender

Pinebender is a rock band from Chicago, Illinois, associated with emo, indie rock, slowcore, midwest emo, and indie. The band forms in autumn 1997 when Matt Clark, Chris Hansen, and Stephen Howard begin working on songs written by Hansen. Their early rehearsals take place in a second-floor bedroom at Howard’s parents’ home in Wilmette, Illinois, with music built around slow tempos and loud, wide guitars.

Early recordings and first shows

After moving their equipment to a rehearsal space in Chicago, Pinebender begins recording. They book studio time at Electrical Audio Recording in February 1998, and the session, engineered by Greg Norman, produces the Too Good To Be True EP. Their first performance takes place in the back room of a taqueria bar on Milwaukee Avenue, and they later play at Chicago venues including the Empty Bottle and Lounge Ax.

Debut album and label history

In April 1999, the band returns to Electrical Audio for a five-day session to record its debut full-length, Things Are About To Get Weird, engineered by Steve Albini. The album contains ten tracks that move between long, slow-building pieces and distorted pop songs. It is released in April 2000 on Ohio Gold Records in Chicago, after the band pays for the recording session itself. Ohio Gold also releases the Too Good To Be True EP two years later. The EP appears as a five-song release and includes Andy Mueller’s “draw your own cover” concept, with a Pinebender golf pencil in the spine of the jewel case.

Line-up changes and later recording

Matt Clark leaves the band in summer 2002 to pursue studies in Iowa City, Iowa. Stephen Howard then moves from drums to baritone guitar, and Dennis Stacer joins on drums. In January 2003, Pinebender signs to Lovitt Records in Arlington, Virginia. Their first release for the label is The High Price of Living Too Long With A Single Dream, a full-length described as eight tracks with prominent guitars and heavy, measured drumming.

Style and live reputation

Pinebender’s sound is defined by slow tempos, loud guitar parts, and extended, often heavy arrangements. Their early live shows are noted for their volume, with earplugs becoming a recommendation for audiences.