Semisonic

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Semisonic
Semisonic performing in a 2006 basement concert; (l-r)Munson, Wilson, and Slichter
Semisonic performing in a 2006 basement concert; (l-r)Munson, Wilson, and Slichter
Background information
OriginMinneapolis, Minnesota, U.S.
GenresAlternative rock, post-grunge, power pop
Years active1995–2001, 2017–present
LabelsMCA
Associated acts
Websitesemisonic.com
Members

Semisonic is an American alternative rock band formed in Minneapolis, Minnesota, in 1995. The band has three members: Dan Wilson (lead vocals, guitar, keyboards), John Munson (bass guitar, keyboards, backing vocals, guitar), and Jacob Slichter (drums, percussion, keyboards, backing vocals). They are best known in the U.S. for their 1998 single "Closing Time".

History[]

Formation and debut album[]

After the breakup of Trip Shakespeare, Dan Wilson and John Munson joined up with drummer Jacob Slichter to form Semisonic in 1995. An EP, Pleasure, was released that year on Boston indie label CherryDisc, and the studio full-length Great Divide in 1996 on MCA.

Breakthrough and international success[]

Semisonic's breakthrough came two years later in 1998 when their second album, Feeling Strangely Fine, reached the Top 50 chart on the strength of the hit single "Closing Time," their biggest hit in the United States. In a 2008 performance at Harvard's Sanders Theatre, Wilson made it known that it was originally written about the birth of his first child.

Their international career also blossomed when another song from the album, "Secret Smile," quickly became a UK radio favourite in the summer of 1999, eventually peaking at No. 12 on the UK Singles Chart.[1]

Third album and hiatus[]

In early 2001, the band released its third album, All About Chemistry, The single "Chemistry" was a mainstay overseas; however, the album did not fare as well in the United States. Another song, "Over My Head," was used in the 2001 teen flick Summer Catch, and Semisonic rode the wave of various tours in and around the UK.

Wilson had spoken of doing more Semisonic music in the future but said, "The busy day-to-day life keeps pushing it further into the future." All About Chemistry would be their last studio release until reconvening for the You're Not Alone EP which they put out in 2020.

2017–2019[]

To commemorate the twentieth anniversary of their first album, Great Divide, the band reunited for a series of three shows in June of 2017 – June 14 at a small club in St. Paul, and June 16–17 at First Avenue in Minneapolis. The band played Great Divide in its entirety.

In December of 2017, the band played three more shows in the Twin Cities to commemorate the approaching 20th anniversary of their second album, Feeling Strangely Fine, performing the album in its entirety. In 2018, Feeling Strangely Fine was given a rerelease for the album's twentieth anniversary, including its first vinyl pressing. The anniversary edition included four songs not on the original album: "Long Way from Home," "I'm a Liar," "Beautiful Regret," and "Makin' a Plan."

In July of 2019, Semisonic performed at Summerfest in Milwaukee and then at the Basilica Block Party in Minneapolis. During their 2017–2019 shows, the band performed some new, previously unreleased songs, including "Basement Tapes," "All It Would Take," and "You're Not Alone." In July of 2020, "You're Not Alone" was released by Pleasuresonic Recordings as the first single and title track of Semisonic's EP You're Not Alone, released on September 18th, 2020.

First Avenue[]

Semisonic's star on the outside mural of the Minneapolis nightclub First Avenue

The band has been honored with a star on the outside mural of the Minneapolis nightclub First Avenue,[2] recognizing performers that have played sold-out shows or have otherwise demonstrated a major contribution to the culture at the iconic venue.[3] Receiving a star "might be the most prestigious public honor an artist can receive in Minneapolis," according to journalist Steve Marsh.[4] Wilson and Munson's previous group, Trip Shakespeare, also has a star, making them among the few musicians with multiple stars on the mural.

Universal Fire[]

Semisonic was among hundreds of artists whose material was destroyed in the 2008 Universal fire.[5] Slichter said the band had previously requested the master tapes for Feeling Strangely Fine from Universal while working on a remastered edition for the album, but were told that the tapes could not be located.[5]

Reunion[]

Munson playing bass and Wilson on guitar
Munson and Wilson onstage with Semisonic in 2017

The band reunited for a series of two shows on June 14, 2017, in St. Paul and June 16, 2017, in Minneapolis for the first time in nearly five years. The St. Paul show at a smaller venue served as a live rehearsal for the Minneapolis show at famed Minneapolis club First Avenue. The band followed similar setlists for the shows, playing the album Great Divide in its entirety with a few additional songs, including a live debut of the Wilson-penned "Basement Tapes". Semisonic played together again in December 2017 with a similar combination of St. Paul and Minneapolis shows, but added a second show at First Avenue. The set list for these shows was the Feeling Strangely Fine track list with some supplemental songs including live debuts of two songs.

In 2018, Feeling Strangely Fine was given a rerelease for the album's twentieth anniversary, including its first vinyl pressing.

On June 26, 2020, Semisonic released the single "You're Not Alone", their first new material in 19 years,[6] later releasing the full You're Not Alone EP on September 18, 2020.

Discography[]

Studio albums[]

Live albums[]

  • One Night at First Avenue (2003)

EPs[]

Singles[]

List of singles, with selected chart positions and certifications, showing year released and album name
Title Year Peak chart positions Certifications Album
US
Alt
[7] 		US
Main
[8] 		US
AAA
[9] 		AUS
[10] 		CAN
[11] 		CAN
Alt
[12] 		IRL
[13] 		NZL
[14] 		UK
[1]
"Down in Flames" 1996 — — — — — — — — — Great Divide
"F.N.T." — 30 — — — — — — —
"Closing Time" 1998 1 13 4 40 — 2 48 50 25 Feeling Strangely Fine
"Singing in My Sleep" 11 31 — 70 — — — — 39
"Secret Smile" 1999 21 — 17 — 30 30 — — 12
"Chemistry" 2001 39 — 6 — — — 39 21 35 All About Chemistry
"Get a Grip" — — — — — — — — —
"You're Not Alone" 2020 — — 14 — — — — — — You're Not Alone EP
"—" denotes releases that did not chart, or were not released in this territory.

Soundtracks and compilations[]

Other projects by members[]

Wilson took time out to do some solo projects and play tour dates around the Midwest in December. Munson joined Wilson's brother and former Trip Shakespeare frontman Matt Wilson to form a side project, The Flops, in 2001, though they were expected to make a final performance in early 2005. In 2009, John Munson and Matt Wilson reunited to form a new band The Twilight Hours. They have released two albums, Stereo Night (2009) and Black Beauty (2016), and have been touring.

In 2004, Slichter's book So You Wanna Be a Rock & Roll Star (ISBN 0-7679-1470-8) was published, detailing some of the experiences the group had while touring and attempting to get airplay on radio stations across the US.[16]

In late spring of 2005, John Munson began playing in a new jazz trio, The New Standards, featuring Chan Poling of The Suburbs and Steve Roehm. This band plays new jazz renditions of "classic" songs.

On October 16, 2007, Rick Rubin's label American Recordings released Wilson's solo album, Free Life, featuring collaborations with numerous artists including Munson and Slichter. The song "Cry" was the album's single.

References[]

  1. ^ Jump up to: a b "SEMISONIC | full Official Chart History | Official Charts Company". www.officialcharts.com. Retrieved 2021-07-29.
  2. ^ "The Stars". First Avenue & 7th Street Entry. Retrieved 2020-05-10.
  3. ^ Bream, Jon (2019-05-03). "10 things you'll learn about First Avenue in new Minnesota History Center show". Star Tribune. Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minnesota. Retrieved 2020-05-10.
  4. ^ Marsh, Steve (2019-05-13). "First Avenue's Star Wall". Mpls.St.Paul Magazine. Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minnesota. Retrieved 2020-05-10.
  5. ^ Jump up to: a b Rosen, Jody (25 June 2019). "Here Are Hundreds More Artists Whose Tapes Were Destroyed in the UMG Fire". The New York Times. Retrieved 28 June 2019.
  6. ^ Rettig, James (2020-06-26). "Semisonic – "You're Not Alone"". Stereogum. Retrieved 2020-06-26.
  7. ^ Billboard (June 27, 1998). "Artist Chart History – Semisonic". Nielsen Business Media, Inc. Retrieved 2020-09-01.
  8. ^ Billboard. "Artist Chart History – Semisonic". Nielsen Business Media, Inc. Retrieved 2020-09-01.
  9. ^ Billboard. "Artist Chart History – Semisonic". Nielsen Business Media, Inc. Retrieved 2020-09-01.
  10. ^ Peaks in Australia:
    • "Closing Time": "Discography Semisonic". australian-charts.com. Retrieved July 26, 2021.
    • "Singing in My Sleep": Ryan, Gavin (2011). Australia’s Music Charts 1988–2010 (PDF ed.). Mt Martha, Victoria, Australia: Moonlight Publishing. p. 248.
  11. ^ "Semisonic Top Singles positions". RPM. Retrieved 2010-06-15.
  12. ^ "Semisonic Rock/Alternative positions". RPM. Retrieved 2010-06-15.
  13. ^ "Discography Semisonic". Hung Medien. Retrieved March 19, 2016.
  14. ^ "Discography Semisonic". Hung Medien. Retrieved March 19, 2016.
  15. ^ Jump up to: a b "British certifications – Semisonic". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved March 19, 2016. Type Semisonic in the "Search BPI Awards" field and then press Enter.
  16. ^ "Drummer's Book Takes Shine off Rock-Star Life". NPR. Retrieved 2015-08-25.

External links[]

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