GET TO KNOW: Garbage

Formed in 1993, GARBAGE are one of the influential alternative rock bands of the last few decades. Over the years they have crossed into many genres, but the grunge-y sounding electro pop is what they’re most known for. This year, they have embarked on a UK co-headline tour with SKUNK ANANSIE which includes a festival date at Bearded Theory. If you’re going to the festival and looking for a bit of an introduction to the band look no further, we’ll run you through how they formed, what they’ve been up to recently, tracks to look out for, and their three decade spanning legacy.

The members of the band, vocalist Shirley Manson, Guitarist/Bassist and keyboardist Duke Erikson, guitarist and keyboardist Steve Marker, and percussionist Butch Vig have stayed the same since the beginning with no lineup changes. At the band’s inception, the Americans Vig, Marker and Erikson were keen to get a female singer in the mix for their new music project, and after seeing the music video for Manson’s previous band ANGELFACE, they invited her to record with them. Manson relocated to the US from her native Scotland and by 1994 they started to push out demos. Their first album was a huge success, and since then they haven’t looked back. Eight studio albums later and even with the odd hiccup here and there, the four-piece are back for good and performing at large venues across the world.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?list=RDGpBFOJ3R0M4&v=GpBFOJ3R0M4

In the last few years, the band have been touring the UK and Europe quite regularly, with a co-headline tour with NOEL GALLAGHER’S HIGH FLYING BIRDS in 2023, followed by a group of dates of festivals and shows in the summer of 2024. Last year saw them touring in light of their eighth studio album, Let All That We Imagine Be the Light. Prior to the coheadline tour with SKUNK ANANSIE kicking off, the group have shows in Mexico and The Dominican Republic planned in the coming weeks.

It’s likely that you’ve already heard GARBAGE’s biggest track, Only Happy When It Rains, from their first album, whether you were conscious of it or not. Its moody multi-layered groove draws you in, and even since its release it has remained one of their top songs. From the same album, Stupid Girl compiles electronic beats and effects with fuzzy guitars. Their ability to combine raging rock riffs with electronic pop elements are what makes the band so special. Highlights from their second album include I Think I’m Paranoid and Push It which add a bit of fieriness to its predecessor. From the latest album, tracks like There’s No Future in Optimism and Hold definitely lean more into the electro pop side, with Manson’s sullen voice giving the songs a darker edge.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?list=RD2GhPUAVgHZc&v=2GhPUAVgHZc

In short, GARBAGE are a big deal. Their long spanning career and following only prove this. Over the years they have performed some unforgettable live sets that you should check out immediately, particularly their performance at Bizarre Festival in 1996, and at TRNSMT festival in 2024. This is a band that for a lot of people will play into their nostalgia whilst simultaneously capturing the interest of the newer generations with their iconic sound and aesthetic. Not to mention they have probably been an influence to many of your favourite artists, musicians such as HAYLEY WILLIAMS and even LADY GAGA have sung their praise for the band’s inspiration in their own work. Outside of their artistry they have always been vocal about contemporary issues and continue to fight the good fight. 

If you’ve learnt anything from this, it’s that GARBAGE are a cool, nostalgic force with female rage that’s always on the right side of history. 

Words: Danielle Henderson