Band Breakups 2000

by Erin Hucke

Perhaps the landmark year of 2000 caused many individuals to do some reflection and change the course of direction of their lives. Maybe the bassist just hated the drummer. Either way, a whole slew of established bands decided to call it quits in 2000. Here are the ones I could dig up.

The officially "broken-up"

Soul Coughing

Duration: 1993-2000

Last album: El Oso (1998)

Why split? Internal band conflicts.

Future projects: Little hope for a reunion, but catch solo projects from all members of the band. Lead singer (M.) Doughty recorded Skittish in 1995 or 1996 but released it in 2000 (only available here). King of keyboards Mark De Gli Antoni released Horse Tricks in 1999 and has other things in the works. Yuval Gabay and Sebastian Steinberg play in UV Ray as well as play as studio and touring musicians for artists such as Beth Orton AND WHO. Mark, Sebastian and Yuval are also collaborating on a project called "Tempo Team."

Pavement

Duration: 1989-2000

Last album: Terror Twilight (1999)

Why split? The NME reported five reasons Pavement are calling it quits. In the article, Domino, the band's UK label, stated:

"Pavement are retiring for the foreseeable future to: 1. Start families 2. Sail around the world 3. Get into the computer industry 4. Dance 5. Get some attention"

Future projects: Lead singer Stephen Malkmus makes his self-titled, solo debut on Feb. 13, 2001. Drummer Steve West will continue to work with Marble Valley, a side project band. Guitarist Scott Kannberg (Spiral Stairs) is recording solo music as well as cultivating his independent record label, Amazing Grease.

Unbelievable Truth

Duration: 1994-2000

Last album: sorrythankyou (2000)

Why split? Lead singer Andy Yorke wanted to get out of the biz after much turmoil with the release of their second album, sorrythankyou.

Future projects: A double CD containing the band's last live show as well as unreleased rarities is expected in early 2001. Nigel Powell and Jason Moulster will continue with music while Andy Yorke will resume Russian studies.

Ben Folds Five

Duration: 1994-2000

Last album: The Unauthorized Biography of Reinhold Messner (1999)

Why split? The members of Ben Folds Five thought the band had served its purpose and each wanted to attempt other musical projects. The band split on good terms.

Future projects: All members are pursuing solo endeavors. Ben Folds is currently recording a new album. He also contributed a song, "Lonely Christmas Eve," to the soundtrack of How The Grinch Stole Christmas. Ben and Darren Jessee recently co-wrote "Wandering," which is set to appear in the upcoming independent movie 100 Girls. Darren has also been touring solo around the New York area. Robert Sledge is assembling a new band and has been on tour with ex-Squirrel Nut Zippers' Tom Maxwell and his band The Minor Drag.

Smashing Pumpkins

Duration: 1988-2000

Last album: MACHINA/The Machines of God (& MACHINA II - distributed via fans on the Internet).

Why split? The band ended their career with two sold-out Chicago club shows in early December. They felt the achieved what they could as a band, and made a break for it while they were still somewhat on top.

Future projects: solo work from Billy Corgan, James Iha and Jimmy Chamberlin is definitely a possibility, though nothing is official yet.

Are they or aren't they? The "on-hiatus" bunch.

Olivia Tremor Control

Status: On temporary hiatus, but breakup rumors are still prevalent. No other information was available.

Phish

Status: Off the road and on hiatus. The future for Phish is undetermined at this point in time.

Son Volt

Status: Uncle Tupelo derivative Son Volt remains "on hiatus" while lead singer Jay Farrar is touring solo in support of his upcoming solo debut, Sebastapol. The future of the band remains uncertain, but Son Volt fan sites state there is nothing to be worried about as Son Volt is set to record again in early to mid 2001.

Sorry if I missed your favorite broken-up band.

Issue 4, January 2001 | next article