Formed in Stockton, California, in 1989, Pavement is one of the defining bands of the 1990s indie rock movement. The group was founded by Stephen Malkmus and Scott Kannberg, who began their collaboration by recording lo-fi, experimental tracks in a makeshift studio. Their debut EP, Slanted and Enchanted (1992), became an underground sensation, celebrated for its raw, unpolished sound and witty, enigmatic lyrics.
Pavement quickly gained a devoted fanbase with their unique blend of slacker charm, angular guitar riffs, and playful songwriting. Tracks like “Summer Babe” and “Cut Your Hair” epitomized the band’s ability to balance offbeat humor with genuine emotional resonance. As the 1990s progressed, albums like Crooked Rain, Crooked Rain (1994) and Wowee Zowee (1995) showcased the band’s growing versatility, incorporating elements of country, jazz, and punk.
Despite their critical acclaim, Pavement never achieved mainstream commercial success, which became part of their mystique. The band disbanded in 1999 but reunited in 2010 for a series of well-received live shows. Pavement’s influence on subsequent generations of indie musicians is profound, with their emphasis on DIY ethos, ironic sensibility, and creative independence serving as a blueprint for countless bands.
