Cupcakes (band)
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1996 |
| Headquarters | Chicago , United States |
| Products | Music albums |
Cupcakes was a Power pop group originating from Chicago that signed with DreamWorks. They released a single self-titled album in the year 2000. Drummer Matt Walker had prior experience performing with the Smashing Pumpkins and Filter, and later became a member of Garbage and collaborated with Morrissey. Guitarist Greg Suran subsequently toured with both the Goo Goo Dolls and the B-52's.
History
Prior to the establishment of Cupcakes, Matt Walker, Solomon Snyder, and Preston Graves were part of a band called Tribal Opera. Following the dissolution of Tribal Opera, Graves teamed up with Greg Suran, and by 1996, Walker and Snyder had joined them, thus forming Cupcakes. The band secured a contract with DreamWorks by 1997 and recorded their album in London under the guidance of producer Stephen Street, known for his work with The Smiths, Blur, and the Cranberries. However, DreamWorks terminated their contract soon after the release of their 2000 album.
Before joining the Smashing Pumpkins as a replacement for Jimmy Chamberlin, Walker had toured with Filter. He departed from the Smashing Pumpkins when Cupcakes finalized their deal with DreamWorks.
After Cupcakes
In December 2012, Graves and Walker formed a new band called Stuttgart, enlisting Scott Tallarida, Thomas Walker, and Michael Sinclair as members.
Reception
- "The Cupcakes' debut is a grand, theatrical challenge that shifts between powerful arena sounds and delicate falsetto moments, weaving synthetic textures into robust power-chord anthems." (Greg Kot, Chicago Tribune)
- "Driven skillfully by former Filter and Smashing Pumpkins drummer Matt Walker and produced by Stephen Street (Blur, The Smiths, The Cranberries), these thirteen songs embrace intense excess with layers of aggressive guitars and lively keyboards." (Jim DeRogatis, Chicago Sun-Times)
Members
- Preston Graves — lead vocals
- Greg Suran — guitar, backing vocals
- Solomon Snyder — bass guitar
- Matt Walker — drums
Albums
- Cupcakes (2000) released on DreamWorks
Compilation appearances
- "Vidiots" featured on Back to School Domestic Sampler (1999) DreamWorks
- "Exaggerator" included in 8 Trax Plus 2 (1999) DreamWorks