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The Loud Family

From Alfawiki
The Loud Family
Company typeBand
IndustryMusic
Founded1991
FounderScott Miller
Headquarters
San Francisco
,
United States
ProductsStudio albums, live albums, EPs

The Loud Family emerged as a power pop ensemble based in San Francisco, established in 1991 by songwriter and guitarist Scott Miller, who had previously led the 1980s group Game Theory. Between 1991 and 2006, The Loud Family produced six studio albums along with one live record. Following Miller’s passing in 2013, three of the band’s members took part in sessions for Supercalifragile (2017), a posthumous release under the Game Theory name.

Background

Scott Miller, the band’s founder and chief songwriter, was noted for his critical acclaim despite modest commercial achievements with his various projects. Prior to The Loud Family, he had launched Alternate Learning (ALRN) in 1977 alongside future Loud Family drummer Jozef Becker. ALRN issued a 7-inch EP in 1979 and the full-length Painted Windows in 1981 on Rational Records, primarily performing around the U.C. Davis area before disbanding in 1982.

Later that same year, Miller created Game Theory, which went on to release seven studio albums and two EPs from 1982 through 1990. Their releases were distributed by Enigma Records between 1985 and 1988 and later reissued by Alias Records. After recording Real Nighttime (1985), the band moved to San Francisco. Often described as a "pseudo-psychedelic pop quartet," Game Theory cultivated a devoted cult following associated with the Paisley Underground movement.

During 1989–1990, Game Theory’s last lineup introduced tracks that would later appear on The Loud Family’s first album. Miller dissolved Game Theory in 1990 and briefly performed solo locally before establishing The Loud Family.

Formation

By the end of 1991, Miller had assembled The Loud Family, performing at venues throughout the Bay Area.[1]

Drummer Jozef Becker continued from the final incarnation of Game Theory; Becker had also been involved with Thin White Rope as well as Miller’s previous group Alternate Learning.[2]

Miller and Becker were joined by three musicians from This Very Window: guitarist Zachary Smith, keyboardist Paul Wieneke, and bassist R. Dunbar Poor—all former colleagues of Miller at Lucid Inc.[1][3] Miller had produced This Very Window’s 1988 single "For Beginners Only."[4] He described Poor and Wieneke as "hypermusically educated guys from Stanford,"[5] noting Wieneke held a doctorate in music.[6]

Zachary Smith took on lead guitar duties while Miller handled rhythm guitar until Smith departed following The Tape of Only Linda (1994). Smith had previously contributed as a guest on Lolita Nation (1987) and played alongside Donnette Thayer in another band.[5]

Out of respect for former members and feeling that the new group embodied a distinct energy, Miller opted not to continue using the Game Theory name.[1][7][8]

The band’s moniker, The Loud Family, was inspired by the real-life family featured in the documentary An American Family, chosen to represent life’s spontaneous nature paired with vibrant energy. [9] Rolling Stone lauded the name as an intelligent and memorable choice that captured both the band’s sound and Miller’s songwriting style.[10]

Releases on Alias Records (1993–2000)

The Loud Family made their initial appearance on Alias Records in 1993 with the album Plants and Birds and Rocks and Things, produced by Mitch Easter, who had collaborated with Game Theory since 1986.[11]

This debut record positioned the Loud Family as critical darlings, recognized for a more developed, guitar-centric sound that distinguished them from Game Theory.[12][1]

Miller characterized the tracks as reflections of a challenging phase filled with both personal and career difficulties, including the loss of his band and employment.[8]

Plants and Birds and Rocks and Things later received high praise from Aimee Mann, who regarded it as one of the finest albums ever produced.[13][14]

In 1993, an EP titled Slouching Towards Liverpool was released, containing songs initially demoed by the final Game Theory lineup.[15]

The subsequent album, The Tape of Only Linda (1994), arrived amid lineup changes with Zachary Smith and R. Dunbar Poor departing, and Kenny Kessel stepping in on bass.

Their 1996 release, Interbabe Concern, featured the track "Don't Respond, She Can Tell," which was accompanied by a monochrome video inspired by Ernie Kovacs. While touring alongside Aimee Mann, Miller emphasized maintaining artistic authenticity over commercial ambitions but aimed to pursue music as a full-time profession.[12]

Released in 1998, Days for Days showcased personnel shifts including former Game Theory drummer Gil Ray and Alison Faith Levy on piano and keyboards. This lineup contributed to a gentler, more refined sound reminiscent of artists such as Todd Rundgren, Cat Stevens, and Carole King.[3]

The 2000 album Attractive Nuisance was anticipated to be the band's concluding release. Following a tour that year, their contract with Alias Records came to an end.

125 Records (2001–2006)

After a six-year break, Scott Miller signed with the indie label 125 Records in 2001. Established by Joe Mallon and Sue Trowbridge—longtime associates of Miller—the label issued a live Loud Family CD as its fifth release.[16]

From Ritual to Romance compiled live recordings from San Francisco concerts in 1996 and 1998, featuring Miller alongside band members Kessel, Levy, Ray, Wieneke, and Tittel, with guest vocals by Anton Barbeau. The album included covers of Brian Eno's "Here Come the Warm Jets," the Pixies' "Debaser," and My Bloody Valentine's "When You Sleep."[17] Critic Brett Milano lauded the combination of well-crafted pop melodies and meaningful lyrics, particularly praising the album’s energetic opening medley.[18] Scram magazine highlighted the band's raw intensity as enhancing the emotional impact of the music, describing the final tracks as a "breathless" conclusion.[17]

In 2003, 125 Records released Loud Family Live 2000, a concert documentary DVD directed by Danny Plotnick. It featured twenty live performances alongside interviews with band members and behind-the-scenes tour footage.[19]

At the request of 125 Records, Miller produced the 2006 studio album What If It Works?, credited to "The Loud Family and Anton Barbeau" to avoid confusion with another artist named Scott Miller. This record merged Miller’s songwriting with Barbeau’s pop influences and contributions from Loud Family musicians. The Sacramento Bee described it as "a blend of sweet pop and jangly rock," comparing it to "the Beatles interpreted by the Replacements."[20] Meanwhile, USA Today praised it as a "terrific album... from one of underground pop-rock's best-kept secrets."[21]

Following Scott Miller's Passing

At the time of Scott Miller's passing in 2013, he had initiated work on the album Supercalifragile, aiming to bring back the Game Theory name rather than release it under the Loud Family banner. The project was ultimately completed after his death by producer Ken Stringfellow alongside Miller's wife, Kristine Chambers, who coordinated with former band members and collaborators to finalize Miller’s unfinished guitar and vocal recordings, demos, and notes. Miller had intended the album as a collaborative effort, having co-written tracks with artists such as Aimee Mann and Stéphane Schück.

Members of the Loud Family—including Jozef Becker, Gil Ray, and Alison Faith Levy—contributed to recording sessions between 2015 and 2016, featuring a piece co-written by Levy as a posthumous collaboration. Additional incomplete Miller compositions were completed with input from Jon Auer, Doug Gillard, Ted Leo, Will Sheff, Anton Barbeau, and Stringfellow. The album was officially released in August 2017.

Critical Reception

Kim Cooper of Scram magazine observed that despite Miller’s intelligent lyricism and memorable hooks, mainstream recognition largely eluded him, which led to more experimental ventures with the Loud Family. Though highly regarded by critics and fellow musicians like Aimee Mann and Stephin Merritt, the band faced commercial challenges during the 1990s. This was partly due to their intricate song arrangements and Miller’s enigmatic lyrics, which incorporated elements from modernist literature, political themes, art history, semiotics, relativity theory, and sociocultural analysis.

In 1996, CMJ New Music Monthly described Interbabe Concern as "pop of the most depraved variety," emphasizing its unsettling juxtaposition of acoustic guitars with distorted fuzz effects. The review labeled it both disturbing and catchy.

By the year 2000, the Chicago Tribune acknowledged a more refined artistic direction, calling Miller a "quirky visionary" who explored concepts such as entropy. While Attractive Nuisance received mixed feedback for its unevenness, it was commended for its "supple melodies" that contrasted with densely layered lyrics across a variety of musical styles.

In 2003, the Loud Family was hailed in Sonic Cool: The Life & Death of Rock 'n' Roll as "perhaps the most sophisticated 'pop' band that ever lived." Author Joe Harrington praised their unique combination of aesthetic beauty and cultural critique as setting them apart in their era.

Studio albums and EPs

Year Title Format Label
1993 Plants and Birds and Rocks and Things LP, cassette, CD Alias
1994 Slouching Towards Liverpool CD, 10-inch EP Alias
1994 The Tape of Only Linda LP, cassette, CD Alias
1996 Interbabe Concern CD Alias
1998 Days for Days CD Alias
2000 Attractive Nuisance CD Alias
2006 What If It Works? (as The Loud Family and Anton Barbeau) CD 125 Records


Live recordings

Year Title Format Label
2002 From Ritual to Romance CD 125 Records

Singles and promo releases

Year Title Format Label
1993 Never Mind the Camera Crew cassette Alias
1993 "Take Me Down" b/w "The Come On" 7-inch vinyl Alias
1994 "It Just Wouldn't Be Christmas" CD single Alias
1997 "Don't Respond, She Can Tell" CD single Alias

Various artists compilations

Year Title Format Label
1993 'Hot Cinnamon Churros' 'CD' 'Alias'

(Note: Additional compilation entries have been omitted here for conciseness and focus.)

Music videos and DVD releases

Year Title Album / Format Notes

-

1993 "Jimmy Still Comes Around" 'Plants and Birds and Rocks and Things' / music video 'Directed by Lucy Phillips and Glen Scantlebury'

-

1994 "Soul Drain" 'The Tape of Only Linda' / music video 'Directed by Sondra Russell'

-

1994 "Marcia and Etrusca" 'The Tape of Only Linda' / music video 'Directed by Sondra Russell'

-

1996 "Don't Respond, She Can Tell" 'Interbabe Concern' / music video 'Directed by Sondra Russell; produced by Jeff Orgill for Giant Tarantula Productions'

-

2003 'Loud Family Live 2000' / DVD 'Concert tour documentary directed by Danny Plotnick'

External links

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named spin-may1993
  2. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named strongdiscog
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named glono2003
  4. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named tvw-notes
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named cost1993
  6. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named nash1998
  7. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named djmurphy2008
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named option1993
  9. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named bookofbands
  10. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named rollingstone1993
  11. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named billboard1993
  12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named latimes1996
  13. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named alias-bio
  14. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named michelson2009
  15. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named bob1990
  16. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named about125
  17. ↑ 17.0 17.1 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named scram2002
  18. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named milano2002
  19. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named imdb-louddvd
  20. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named sacbee2006
  21. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named usatoday2006
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