Big Dipper (band)

Infobox musical artist
Name = Big Dipper


Img_capt =
Background = group_or_band
Origin = Boston, Massachusetts, United States
Genre = Alternative rock, indie rock
Years_active = 1985-1990, 2007-
Label = Homestead, Demon, Epic, Merge
Associated_acts = Volcano Suns, The Embarrassment, Dumptruck, XS, Iron Gerbils
URL =
Current_members = Bill Goffrier Gary Waleik Steve Michener Jeff Oliphant
Past_members =
Unofficial_members =

Big Dipper was an indie rock band from Boston, Massachusetts, USA, formed in 1985 by former members of Volcano Suns and The Embarrassment.Strong, Martin C: "The Great Alternative & Indie Discography", 1999, Canongate, ISBN 0-86241-913-1] They released 4 albums between 1987 and 1990, before splitting up. They were described in a New York Times article as "musical contortionists: they love to toy with extremes, juxtaposing ferocious guitar noise with celestial vocal harmonies or planting a delicate melody in jagged rhythm". [ [http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9C0CE4DC103BF930A25757C0A966958260 " Big Dipper Combines Punk With Melody" by Karen Schoemer, "New York Times", retrieved 12-12-2007] ]

History

In 1986, former members of Volcano Suns, Gary Waleik and Steve Michener (the latter was also in Dumptruck), recruited guitarist/vocalist Bill Goffrier (formerly of The Embarrassment), and drummer Jeff Oliphant (formerly of XS and the Iron Gerbils), who was Gary's cousin.Storey, Jon (1989) "Big Dipper and Other Extra-Terrestrial Phenomena", Bucketfull of Brains issue28, February 1989, p. 2-3] Goffrier struck up a friendship with Waleik when he attended a Volcano Suns gig in mid-1985, and the next year the band was formed. Their first release was the 1987 mini-album "Boo-Boo" on Homestead Records (released on Demon Records in the UK). The full-length album "Heavens", which was released later in 1987, has been described as "one of the finest American indie albums of its era". [http://wm08.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=11:fifuxqw5ldse~T1 Big Dipper at Allmusic.com] ] Their second full-length album, "Craps", followed in 1988. Three of the band contributed with songwriting. One of the tracks on the album reflected Goffrier's interest in extra-terrestrial phenomena, with the song "Semjase" about a Swiss farmer who in the 1970s claimed to have been regularly visited by Semjase, a woman from the constellation Pleides. They signed to Epic Records for 1990's "Slam". This would prove to be their final album. Michener left the band and they continued with various players for two years, splitting up in 1992 after releasing a 45 and recording more than an albums worth of material. In 2008, Merge Records released a 3-CD anthology of Big Dipper's Homestead recordings, with additional material,including the unreleased tracks recorded after Michener left, titled "Supercluster: The Big Dipper Anthology". This renewed interest has prompted the band to reform for some live shows in April 2008. [http://www.pitchforkmedia.com/article/news/47090-merge-bundles-big-dipper-albums-into-remastered-set "Merge Bundles Big Dipper Albums Into Remastered Set", "Pitchfork Media", retrieved 12-12-2007] ] [ [http://www.mergerecords.com/band.php?news=true&band_id=137 "BIG DIPPER - collected and remastered - 'Supercluster'", "Merge Records", retrieved 12-12-2007] ] [ [http://www.harpmagazine.com/news/detail.cfm?article=11972 "Big Dipper Returns w/3-CD Set, Reunion Tour", "Harp magazine", November 28, 2007] ]

Discography

ingles/EPs

*"All Going Out Together" (1987, Homestead Records)
*"Jet" (1989) Bucketfull (split with The Droogs)

Albums

*"Boo-Boo" (1987, Homestead/Demon Records)
*"Heavens" (1987, Homestead/Demon)
*"Craps" (1988, Homestead/Demon)
*"Slam" (1990, Epic Records)
*"Supercluster: The Big Dipper Anthology" (March 2008, Merge Records)

Compilation Appearances

*"You're Not Patsy" on "The Wailing Ultimate" (1987) Homestead
*"Lou Gehrig's Disease" on "None Whatsoever" (1987) Vacant Lot
*"He Is God" on "Human Music" (1988) Homestead

References

External links

* [http://www.rockinboston.com/bigdip.htm Big Dipper article at rockinboston.com]
* [http://www.discogs.com/artist/Big+Dipper Big Dipper at Discogs.com]
* [http://www.trouserpress.com/entry.php?a=big_dipper Big Dipper at Trouserpress.com]