Smashmouth
Encyclopedia
Smashmouth was a band formed by guitarist Steve "Smash Mouth" Pedersen
, who was also in another band called Slowdown Virginia
from Omaha, Nebraska
at the time. He recruited bassist Bart Volkmer and drummer Clint Schnase. It was a trio that had grown out of a four-piece called Gravy Train that had originally included Ted Stevens
, who had left the band when he moved to Lincoln to attend UNL
(and form Polecat
). Smashmouth was the first band to feature Pedersen's songwriting skills.
In 1995, both Smashmouth and Slowdown Virginia disbanded and formed what is now called Cursive
. Pedersen left the band in 1998, to form The White Octave
and finally, Criteria
.
Steve Pedersen
Steve Pedersen is an American guitarist from Omaha, Nebraska.He left Cursive in 1998 to attend law school at Duke University in North Carolina. It was there he started the band The White Octave, which released two albums and appeared on a few samplers...
, who was also in another band called Slowdown Virginia
Slowdown Virginia
Slowdown Virginia was an indie rock band from Omaha, Nebraska, on Lumberjack Records, the predecessor to today's Saddle Creek records.-Biography:...
from Omaha, Nebraska
Omaha, Nebraska
Omaha is the largest city in the state of Nebraska, United States, and is the county seat of Douglas County. It is located in the Midwestern United States on the Missouri River, about 20 miles north of the mouth of the Platte River...
at the time. He recruited bassist Bart Volkmer and drummer Clint Schnase. It was a trio that had grown out of a four-piece called Gravy Train that had originally included Ted Stevens
Ted Stevens (musician)
Ted Stevens is an American rock musician from Omaha, Nebraska, best known as the guitarist and backup singer for the band Cursive, as well as fronting Mayday...
, who had left the band when he moved to Lincoln to attend UNL
University of Nebraska–Lincoln
The University of Nebraska–Lincoln is a public research university located in the city of Lincoln in the U.S. state of Nebraska...
(and form Polecat
Polecat (band)
Polecat was an early band of singer-guitarist Ted Stevens of Omaha, Nebraska. He later went on to form Lullaby For The Working Class who recorded for Bar/None Records and Saddle Creek Records. He is currently a guitarist in Saddle Creek's Cursive and Mayday. Polecat's first Ghostmeat release was...
). Smashmouth was the first band to feature Pedersen's songwriting skills.
In 1995, both Smashmouth and Slowdown Virginia disbanded and formed what is now called Cursive
Cursive (band)
Cursive is an American indie rock band from Omaha, Nebraska, on Saddle Creek Records.-History:The band was formed in 1995 by Tim Kasher, Matt Maginn, Steve Pedersen , and drummer Clint Schnase. In 1997, they released Such Blinding Stars for Starving Eyes. After a couple years of touring, the band...
. Pedersen left the band in 1998, to form The White Octave
The White Octave
The White Octave was a rock band from Chapel Hill, North Carolina. They released two full-length albums and appeared on several compilations before finally breaking up. The founding member, Steve Pedersen went back to his hometown of Omaha, Nebraska to form the band Criteria...
and finally, Criteria
Criteria (band)
Criteria is an indie rock band from Omaha, Nebraska, formed in 2003 when ex-Cursive founding member Steve Pedersen returned to his hometown after graduating from the Duke University School of Law. He spent six months in a friend's basement where he wrote all ten songs for his new project's debut...
.
Band members
- Steve "Smash Mouth" PedersenSteve PedersenSteve Pedersen is an American guitarist from Omaha, Nebraska.He left Cursive in 1998 to attend law school at Duke University in North Carolina. It was there he started the band The White Octave, which released two albums and appeared on a few samplers...
- Bart Volkmer
- Clint SchnaseClint SchnaseClint Schnase is a musician from Omaha, Nebraska. He played drums in the indie-rock band Cursive from 1996 until early 2007. His official departure was announced on October 21, 2007...
See also
- CriteriaCriteria (band)Criteria is an indie rock band from Omaha, Nebraska, formed in 2003 when ex-Cursive founding member Steve Pedersen returned to his hometown after graduating from the Duke University School of Law. He spent six months in a friend's basement where he wrote all ten songs for his new project's debut...
- CursiveCursive (band)Cursive is an American indie rock band from Omaha, Nebraska, on Saddle Creek Records.-History:The band was formed in 1995 by Tim Kasher, Matt Maginn, Steve Pedersen , and drummer Clint Schnase. In 1997, they released Such Blinding Stars for Starving Eyes. After a couple years of touring, the band...
- Slowdown VirginiaSlowdown VirginiaSlowdown Virginia was an indie rock band from Omaha, Nebraska, on Lumberjack Records, the predecessor to today's Saddle Creek records.-Biography:...
- The White OctaveThe White OctaveThe White Octave was a rock band from Chapel Hill, North Carolina. They released two full-length albums and appeared on several compilations before finally breaking up. The founding member, Steve Pedersen went back to his hometown of Omaha, Nebraska to form the band Criteria...