Quasi formed in Portland in 1993, originally as a trio with Sam Coomes on vocals and guitar, Janet Weiss on drums, and Joanna Bolme on bass. Their self-titled debut came out in 1998, and they kept putting out records like 'The Sword of God' in 1999 and 'Field Studies' in 2001. The band's sound has always been hard to pin down, mixing elements of experimental pop and post-punk with Coomes's distinctive vocal delivery and Weiss's powerful drumming.
Songs like 'Please Do,' 'Two-Faced,' and 'A Case Of No Way Out' show their range from catchy, off-kilter pop to more introspective material. They've worked with other musicians over time, including Elliott Smith and Calvin Johnson, but Coomes and Weiss have remained the consistent core. Their 2016 album 'Breaking the Balls' is their most recent release.
While the band has faced some personal challenges, their music has maintained a dedicated following in indie circles without chasing mainstream trends. They operate on their own terms, which might explain why a track like 'Fuck Hollywood' feels so genuine.
Keep it compact: a lyric you come back to, a live memory, or the part of the catalog you would point someone toward first.
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