Possum Dixon
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1989 |
| Founder | Rob Zabrecky, Celso Chavez |
| Defunct | 1999 |
| Headquarters | Los Angeles , United States |
| Products | Music albums, EPs, singles |
Possum Dixon was a rock group from the United States that operated between 1989 and 1999, fronted by vocalist, songwriter, and bassist Rob Zabrecky. Their sound combined elements of neo-new wave pop and post-punk, initially gaining attention through early independent singles and culminating in their 1993 self-titled debut released via Interscope Records. Zabrecky's songwriting frequently explored themes of romantic loss and the laid-back lifestyle in Los Angeles.
History
Established in 1989 by Zabrecky alongside Celso Chavez, the band's name was inspired by a suspected criminal featured on America's Most Wanted. Starting out as a duo merging punk-folk with performance art, they mainly played at Los Angeles art venues and coffeehouses. By 1990, the lineup expanded to include Robert O’Sullivan on guitar, organ, and keyboards, and Rich Truel on drums, broadening their musical direction with influences drawn from Talking Heads, Human Hands, Wall of Voodoo, Dream Syndicate, and Camper Van Beethoven.
By 1992, Possum Dixon had completed several short tours and issued multiple self-produced 7-inch records and cassette tapes such as "Music for a One Bedroom Apartment" and "Watch the Girl Destroy Me." They built a dedicated fan base within the indie art scene and coffeehouse circuit in Los Angeles.
The band honed their material covertly in a warehouse where Zabrecky was employed during the day, preparing songs that would appear on their major label debut. They also gained backing from Beck, who frequently opened for them and featured Zabrecky on bass for his first album, Mellow Gold.
In 1993, based on their strong live performances and well-tested club tracks, Possum Dixon secured a contract with Interscope Records. Producer Earle Mankey collaborated with them to shape their debut album, which included the single "Watch the Girl Destroy Me." This song achieved considerable rotation on radio stations and MTV, climbing to No. 9 on the U.S. Modern Rock Tracks chart.
The band embarked on extensive tours throughout the U.S. and Europe, opening for groups such as the Dead Milkmen, The Lemonheads, Reverend Horton Heat, and Violent Femmes.
During recording sessions, drummer Rich Truel was succeeded by Byron Reynolds. For their sophomore album, they teamed up with Boston-based producer Tim O'Heir (Sebadoh, Folk Implosion, Superdrag) to develop a moodier new wave sound. Critics responded favorably to this fusion of 1970s power pop with no-wave elements. Additionally, they released two EPs: Sunshine or Noir and Tropic of Celso, while contributing to the 1997 tribute compilation We Are Not DEVO. Around this period, Robert O'Sullivan left to pursue other ventures.
Their third record, New Sheets (1998), introduced guitarist Matt Devine and was produced by Ric Ocasek of The Cars. The track "Faultlines" featured backing vocals from Go-Go's guitarist Jane Wiedlin. This album displayed a more polished aesthetic reminiscent of The Cars’ style rather than Possum Dixon’s earlier sound, which influenced its critical reception. Shortly after this release, the group disbanded.
Celso Chavez, one of the founding guitarists, died on May 9, 2012, following complications related to pneumonia.
Studio albums
- Possum Dixon (1993, Interscope)
- Star Maps (1996, Interscope)
- New Sheets (1998, Interscope)
EPs
- Possum Dixon (1991) (independently released)
- Music for a One Bedroom Apartment (1992, Pronto Records) (collection of three 45 RPM singles)
- Sunshine or Noir (1996, Interscope Records)
- A Tropic of Celso (1996, Interscope Records)
Band lineup
- Rob Zabrecky: lead vocals, bass guitar, double bass (1989–1998)
- Celso Chavez: guitar, backing vocals (1989–1998; deceased 2012)
- Robert O'Sullivan: guitar, keyboards (1990–1997)
- Rich Truel: drums (1990, 1992–1995)
- Byron Reynolds: drums (1991, 1995–1998)
- Steve P: drums (1992)
Awards
- LA Weekly Award for Best Pop/Rock Band, 1999
- California Music Awards, 1999
External links
- [ Possum Dixon profile on Billboard]
- Artist Direct biography of Possum Dixon
- Official website of Rob Zabrecky
- Rob Zabrecky’s IMDb biography
- Billboard article on New Sheets
- Coverage of first Spaceland concert featuring Possum Dixon, Beck, and Foo Fighters
- Urban Honking archive
- LA Weekly feature on Rob Zabrecky and Possum Dixon
- Recipients of the 1999 LA Weekly Music Awards including Possum Dixon