Day After Day is an ambitious attempt to write about a song every day in 2024 (starting on Jan. 4).
Saving My Ticket (1994)
As indie rock boomed in the early '90s, there were many local scenes that were making noise. It wasn't just Seattle, but also Austin, San Diego, Minneapolis, Boston, Halifax and yes, Chapel Hill. The latter had bands like Polvo, Archers of Loaf and Superchunk.
Formed in 1989, Superchunk was originally known as Chunk, which was the nickname of drummer Chuck Garrison. He was joined by singer-guitarist Mac McCaughan, bassist Laura Ballance and guitarist Jack McCook. After the band's debut album was released, McCook left and was replaced by Jim Wilbur. Jon Wurster replaced Garrison after the second album came out and the band's core lineup was in place.
Their third album, On the Mouth, was their last on Matador. After Matador signed a distribution deal with Atlantic, Superchunk decided to release their next album on Merge, the label started by McCaughan and Ballance that released the first Superchunk single, "Slack Motherfucker."
The band's fourth album, Foolish, came out in April 1994. McCaughan and Ballance had recently broken up and a lot of the songs reflected that, with McCaughan's lyrics focusing on the breakup. Ballance later noted that the tour was difficult because she had to listen to those lyrics every night.
"Saving My Ticket" is a rip-roaring rocker that finds McCaughan singing about uncertainty, which one can imagine stems from what happens after a breakup.
"Always expecting the worst/My mouth cracked open spit a curse/Well timed and well rehearsed/And that's no surprise/And that's no surprise/Plan to fill it in/Empty my spirit over anyway/All the bets are in/Saving my ticket for then."
McCaughan and Wilbur lay down a bed of guitar noise as Wurster's powerhouse drumming leads the way. McCaughan's keening vocals soar over the din.
"They rock back and forth on their heels/He cuts, she deals/They're not comfortable with how this feels/No matter now."
This album was my introduction to Superchunk. I first heard them in the video for "Driveway to Driveway" getting played on 120 Minutes and decided to pick up the CD. I've been a fan ever since. They made four more albums before taking a break, with periodic shows and singles being released from 2002 to 2009. Their next album was 2010's Majesty Shredding. After 2013's I Hate Music, Ballance announced she would no longer be touring with the band because of hearing problems; she was replaced on tour by Jason Narducy, who also had been working with Wurster in Bob Mould's band. And last year, Wurster announced he was leaving Superchunk; he continues to play with the Mountain Goats.
I was lucky enough to see them several times since that 2010 tour and they're a ferocious and exuberant live act. Their 2018 show supporting their What a Time to Be Alive was especially powerful, filled with anger and catharsis as they voiced their frustrations of living under a Trump presidency.
Thirty-five years into their career, Superchunk continues to be one of our finest indie bands. Even their B-sides and covers compilation Misfits & Mistakes, released last year, is excellent.
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