Seaweed

by Jason AnkenyPunk unit Seaweed formed in Tacoma, WA, in 1989. Singer Aaron Stauffer, fresh off a stint in the little-known Spook & the Zombies, founded the band with best friend Clint Werner, who assumed guitar duties. After the recruitment of guitarist Wade Neal, bassist John Atkins, and drummer Bob Bulgrien, Seaweed began playing clubs throughout the Pacific Northwest, in 1990 releasing its debut four-song single on Atkins Leopard Gecko label; Just a Smirk followed that same year, and in 1991 the band issued the excellent Deer Trap as part of K Records ongoing International Pop Underground singles series. With their well-honed rhythmic hardcore approach, Seaweed proved an ideal fit for Seattles Sub Pop label, signing to the company to release 1991s Despised EP, the bands first collaboration with producer Jack Endino. With Endino again in the producers seat, Seaweed delivered its finest record yet with 1992s full-length Weak, scoring a college radio hit with the leadoff track, Recall. Four followed in 1993, and in the major labels rush to cherry-pick from Sub Pops roster, Seaweed accepted an offer to sign with Hollywood Records, working with producer Andy Wallace on 1995s Spanaway. Despite positive reviews, the album tanked and Hollywood terminated their contract — Seaweed effectively dropped from sight, with former Quicksand drummer Alan Cage replacing Bulgrien in time for 1999s Actions & Indications, a return to form issued on indie Merge. The band nevertheless split later that same year. After Seaweeds demise, Stauffer teamed with ex-Screaming Trees bassist Van Conner in Gardener, which splintered in 2003 — he then resurfaced in the Blue Dot.