Notable New Bands And Artists: Foo Fighters, Dave Matthews Band

Foo Fighters

Former Nirvana drummer Dave Grohl formed The Foo Fighters as a one · man band project in 1994 shortly after the death of Kurt Cobain. Instead of being a drummer for another band, Grohl wanted to write and record his own songs, as Cobain was the songwriter for Nirvana. Grohl did just that, working with Robert Lang Studios, singing and playing all the instruments, with one exception, on demos that he copied on cassettes to give out to his friends for evaluation. The demos attracted the attention of record studios and led to a recording contract with Columbia Records under a new label, Roswell Records.

Grohl formed a full band to back him up, including former Nirvana touring musician, guitarist Pat Smear. The Foo Fighters then released their self · titled debut album, recording Grohl's songs in 1995. Despite some membership changes over the next few years, the Foo Fighters became one of the most successful rock bands over the remainder of the 1990's and beyond!

Three of the tracks from their debut album released as singles - This Is A Call, I'll Stick Around, and Big Me enjoyed popularity with the Alternative Rock audience during 1995 and early 1996.

The Dave Matthews Band

Starting in early 1995, Dave Matthews, along with the band bearing his name, took his catchy guitar riffs, off · center lyrics, and unusual singing style to national success in the rock world with the release of Under The Table And Dreaming. Their fans made What Would You Say the most popular track from this album with rock radio audiences on both album rock and modern rock radio. The band's offbeat style helped them build a sizeable, loyal fan base that endured through the remainder of the 1990's.