Yo La Tengo
New Jersey band who have crafted a formidable reputation within the US alternative rock community with their succulent, Velvet Underground-inspired melodicism. Comprising central duo Ira Kaplan (vocals/guitar) and Georgia Hubley (drums/vocals), plus various associates who in the '90s included James McNew (bass), the band have built a strong reputation with critics world-wide. Yo La Tengo took their name from the cry of a Spanish speaking baseball outfielder (strictly translating as I Got It), and had their debut album produced by Mission Of Burma bass player Clint Conley. With guest guitar from Dave Schramm, the set included a cover of Ray Davies' Big Sky. The oft-stated comparisons between Kaplan's vocals and those of Lou Reed were further endorsed by a cover of the latter's It's Alright (The Way That You Live) on the subsequent NEW WAVE HOT DOGS collection. Two live songs from a CBGB's set were included on the band's most eloquent set to date, 1989's PRESIDENT YO LA TENGO. This saw the introduction of bass player Gene Holder, who also produced, on an esoteric set which included Kaplan's famed composition, The Evil That Men Do. Schramm returned alongside stand-up bass player Al Greller for FAKEBOOK, primarily a collection of cover versions drawn from the canons of the Kinks, Flying Burrito Brothers, John Cale and Cat Stevens. Schramm would also work with Greller as Schramms the band — who recorded WALK TO DELPHI for OKra Records in 1990. 1993's PAINFUL contained the usual assortment of beautiful pop moments, notably Nowhere Near and The Whole Of The Law. Kaplan joined Krist Novoselic and Dave Grohl on-stage for their post-Nirvana return as Foo Fighters in 1995, and the same year's ELECTR-O-PURA, their seventh album, saw the band picking up UK press for the first time, following a London gig performed under the title Sleeping Pill.