The Posies
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1986 in Bellingham, Washington, United States |
| Founder | Jon Auer, Ken Stringfellow |
| Defunct | October 2021 |
| Headquarters | Bellingham , United States |
| Products | Music albums, singles, EPs |
The Posies emerged as an American rock group established in 1986 in Bellingham, Washington, spearheaded by the principal songwriters Jon Auer and Ken Stringfellow.
Their musical style is rooted in Merseybeat and echoes the influence of the Hollies, while drawing inspiration from artists such as Hüsker Dü, XTC, Elvis Costello, and Squeeze.
The band officially dissolved in October 2021 following allegations of sexual misconduct involving Ken Stringfellow.
Formation and Early Phase (1986–1988)
Jon Auer and Ken Stringfellow first connected at Sehome High School in Bellingham and began their collaboration toward the end of 1986, during which time Stringfellow was enrolled at the University of Washington. Their debut performance took place in 1987 as an acoustic duo. They recorded a dozen tracks in Auer’s family studio, initially intended as demos but ultimately released as their first album, Failure.
Soon after, Mike Musburger and Arthur "Rick" Roberts joined the lineup, allowing the band to perform live shows in Seattle and Bellingham. The four musicians shared a residence in Seattle’s University District, where they developed material for upcoming records. The album Failure was issued on vinyl in late 1988 through indie label PopLlama, with one song excluded from the release.
Major Label Era (1989–1997)
By late 1989, The Posies had secured a contract with Geffen Records under its subsidiary DGC Records. Collaborating with producer John Leckie, they released Dear 23 in August 1990. The single "Golden Blunders" climbed to No. 17 on the U.S. Modern Rock charts. Notably, Ringo Starr covered this track on his 1992 album Time Takes Time.
In early 1992, recording commenced on their third album with producer Don Fleming. Initially named Eclipse, the label requested additional commercially appealing tracks, which led to bassist Dave Fox joining for these sessions. The album was retitled Frosting On The Beater and released in April 1993. Its lead single "Dream All Day" became their most successful hit, reaching No. 4 on the Modern Rock Tracks chart and supporting extensive tours across the United States, Europe, and Japan. In 1994, Fox left to join Seattle band Flop. Their follow-up album Amazing Disgrace was released in May 1996.
The Posies also collaborated with Burt Bacharach on a rendition of "What the World Needs Now Is Love", which appeared on the soundtrack of the 1997 film Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery.
Return to Indie Labels, Compilations, and Solo Endeavors (1997–2001)
After briefly regrouping in late 1997, the band re-recorded twelve previously unused tracks that were released as Success in February 1998 via PopLlama Records. This period included a European tour culminating in the live album Alive Before the Iceberg.
In late 1999, they recorded another album together; however, Stringfellow later disbanded The Posies and re-recorded this material with session musicians for a planned release set for September 2001. Meanwhile, Auer pursued a new band project that produced two EPs and a full-length album titled Songs from the Year of Our Demise in 2006.
Auer and Stringfellow reunited for an acoustic performance in Seattle early in 2000, which was issued as In Case You Didn't Feel Like Plugging In. They subsequently toured throughout the U.S., Europe, and Japan later that year. In 2001, they balanced individual solo projects alongside live performances supporting the previously recorded EP Nice Cheekbones and a Ph.D..
Also during 2000, a comprehensive four-CD box set featuring unreleased demos, outtakes, and live recordings spanning their career was released under the title At Least, At Last. Concurrently, DGC Records issued Dream All Day: The Best of the Posies, a compilation encompassing hits from their major label period along with B-sides and cover songs.
Resurgence and Every Kind of Light Era (2001–2009)
At the start of 2001, Darius Minwalla took over drumming duties from Auer in the Posies, while Matt Harris from Oranger assumed bass responsibilities that summer. The group composed and recorded tracks for Every Kind of Light, which was released in June 2005, followed by an extensive tour across the U.S. and Europe throughout the year. A short tour in Japan took place during the summer of 2006. In 2008, Stringfellow and Auer celebrated the Posies' two-decade milestone with a duo tour spanning the United States and Europe.
From 2008 until 2011, Stringfellow led the Disciplines, a band including former members of Norwegian group Briskeby. The Disciplines supported R.E.M. on their European tour in 2008, with their song "Yours For Taking" featured on a compilation CD curated by R.E.M. for Q magazine.
Blood/Candy and Solid States Period (2010–2017)
The Posies unveiled their seventh studio album, Blood/Candy, on September 28, 2010. This record was crafted in various locations including Spain, Seattle, Ecuador, Canada, Paris, and Los Angeles. Following its release, the band embarked on an extensive European tour at the end of that year.
The reassembled Big Star lineup, comprising Auer and Stringfellow alongside Jody Stephens and Alex Chilton, concluded with Chilton's passing in March 2010. In late 2013, the Posies revisited Amazing Disgrace, performing it entirely with the original lineup. The band reunited once more in August 2014 featuring Minwalla on drums and Joe Skyward on bass; both musicians passed away within two years—Minwalla in May 2015 and Skyward in March 2016.
On March 3, 2016, the Posies released "Squirrel vs. Snake" as a preview for their eighth album and commenced a month-long European tour starting March 29. Their album Solid States was issued on April 29 by British indie label Lojinx in Europe, with the U.S. release through My Music Empire following on May 20. Drummer Frankie Siragusa joined the band as a trio for touring duties while also contributing to engineering and mixing.
Reunion of Frosting on the Beater Lineup (2018–2021)
In 2018, The Posies brought back the Frosting on the Beater lineup with drummer Mike Musburger and bassist Dave Fox returning for tours across North America and Europe.
During a July 2019 interview with the Houston Chronicle, Stringfellow disclosed that new material was being developed by the band.
Sexual Misconduct Allegations Against Ken Stringfellow
In October 2021, Seattle's public radio outlet KUOW reported sexual misconduct accusations against Stringfellow made by three former partners—Holly Muñoz, Kristine Chambers, and Kristi Houk—spanning from 2015 to 2018. Stringfellow denied these allegations alongside his wife Dominique in a joint statement. After discussions with Chambers, Auer departed from the band in August 2021 and informed Stringfellow that he would cease collaborating with him. Siragusa also resigned publicly via Facebook. Following these revelations, Jody Stephens, the last surviving member of Big Star, excluded Stringfellow from upcoming tribute events.
Musical Style and Inspirations
The Posies are often likened to the Hollies due to their vocal harmonies and to Big Star because of their songwriting approach. Both Auer and Stringfellow have additionally worked as producers for other artists alongside their contributions to The Posies and their solo endeavors.
Members
Final roster
- Jon Auer – guitar, keyboards, bass, vocals (1986–2021)
- Ken Stringfellow – guitar, bass, keyboards, vocals (1986–2021)
- Frankie Siragusa – drums (2015–2018, 2019–2021)
Former members
- Mike Musburger – drums (1988–1994; 2018)
- Rick Roberts (born Arthur Roberts) – bass (1988–1992)
- Dave Fox – bass (1992–1994; 2018–2019)
- Joe Skyward (born Joe Howard) – bass (1994–2001; 2013–2014; deceased 2016)
- Brian Young – drums (1994–1998)
- Darius "Take One" Minwalla – drums (2001–2014; deceased 2015)
- Matt Harris – bass, guitar (2001–2012; deceased 2021)
Studio albums
| Album | Information | Highest chart positions | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AUS | NLD | SWE | ||
| Failure |
|
— | — | — |
| Dear 23 |
|
— | — | — |
| Frosting on the Beater |
|
— | — | — |
| Amazing Disgrace |
|
81 | 72 | 23 |
| Success |
|
— | — | — |
| Every Kind of Light |
|
— | — | — |
| Blood/Candy |
|
— | — | — |
| Solid States |
|
— | — | — |
Singles and EPs
- "Golden Blunders" (DGC Records, 1990)
- "Suddenly Mary" (DGC Records, 1991)
- "Feel"/"I Am the Cosmos" (PopLlama Records, 1992)
- "Dream All Day" (DGC Records, 1993)
- "Solar Sister" (DGC Records, 1993)
- "Flavor of the Month" (DGC Records, 1993)
- This Is Not The Posies (Elefant Records, 1993)
- "Definite Door" (DGC Records, 1994)
- "Going, Going, Gone" (DGC Records, 1994)
- "Ontario" (DGC Records, 1996)
- "Please Return It" (DGC Records, 1996)
- "Everybody Is a Fucking Liar" (DGC Records, 1996)
- "Start a Life" (PopLlama Records, 1998)
- Nice Cheekbones and a Ph.D. (Houston Party Records, 2001)
- "Second Time Around" (Rykodisc, 2005)
- "Conversations" (Rykodisc, 2005)
- "The Glitter Prize" (Rykodisc, 2010)
- "Licenses to Hide" (Rykodisc, 2010)
- The Posies Play Big Star (SON Estrella Galicia, 2017)
Compilation albums
- Dream All Day: The Best of the Posies (DGC Records, 2000)
- At Least, At Last (box set, Not Lame Recordings, 2000)
Live albums
- Alive Before the Iceberg (Houston Party Records, 2000)
- In Case You Didn't Feel Like Plugging In (Casa Recording Co., 2000)
Appearances on compilations and soundtracks
- "Smash It Up" featured on Another Damned Seattle Compilation (Dashboard Hula Girl Records, 1990)
- "Going, Going, Gone" included in the Reality Bites Original Motion Picture Soundtrack (RCA, 1993)
- "Open Every Window" appearing on DGC Rarities, Vol. 1 (DGC Records, 1994)
- "Every Christian Lion Hearted Man Will Show You" contributed to Melody Fair, a Bee Gees tribute album (Eggbert Records, 1994)
- "Coming Right Along" on the soundtrack for Basketball Diaries Original Motion Picture Soundtrack (Island Records, 1995)
- "King Midas In Reverse" featured in Sing Hollies in Reverse (Eggbert Records, 1995)
- Live version of "Throwaway" included on Hype! The Motion Picture Soundtrack (Sub Pop, 1996)
- "Richie Dagger's Crime" part of A Small Circle of Friends: A Germs Tribute Album (Grass Records, 1996)
- "Christmas" contributed to the compilation Just Say Noël (Geffen Records, 1996)
- "Limitless Expressions" featured on Home Alive - The Art of Self Defense (Epic Records, 1996)
- "Tomorrow We Are Not Alone" included in the charity compilation Together We Are Not Alone (Japan Relief Compilation) (Thistime Records, 2011)
Chart performance of singles
| Year | Song Title | US Hot 100 | US Alternative | US Mainstream Rock | UK Singles Chart | Album |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 | "Golden Blunders" | – | 17 | – | – | Dear 23 |
| 1993 | "Dream All Day" | – | 4 | 17 | – | Frosting On the Beater |
| 1994 | "Definite Door" | – | – | – | 67 | Frosting On the Beater |