Characterized by the squalling guitars, emphatic vocals, and incisive songwriting of Jenny Toomey and Kristin Thomson, the aptly named Tsunami are among the most original and important bands of the U.S. indie scene. Formed in 1990, the Arlington, Virginia-based band fused noise, melody, and feminist wit across a prolific discography spanning most of that decade, and remained steadfast in their commitment to do-it-yourself principles. They released the full-lengths Deep End (1993), The Heart's Tremolo (1994), and the more ornamented A Brilliant Mistake (1997), and between the latter two issued World Tour and Other Destinations, a disc gathering most of their vast non-album material. Tsunami went on hiatus in 1998 and also shut down Simple Machines, the highly regarded label for most of their output and that of many peers. The band reunited for Ladyfest performances in 2002 and 2003, and returned to the stage in 2023 to help celebrate the 20th anniversary of Numero Group, the label that thoroughly anthologized Tsunami's recordings in the form of Loud Is As (2024). Tsunami began to take shape in late 1990. Jenny Toomey and Kristin Thomson had met as members of the Washington, D.C. activist collective Positive Force. Toomey was in Geek and Choke, bands featured on the first Simple Machines releases. She and Thomson invited fellow Positive Force member and drummer John Pamer, formerly with Touchdown and Red Emma, and then added Andrew Webster, a member of Bricks who was game to switch from guitar to bass. In early 1991, Tsunami played their first shows locally and opened for inspirations Beat Happening during a few Midwest dates. Upon returning to Arlington, Tsunami recorded Cow Arcade, a ten-song cassette of four-track demos. Months later, they issued Headringer, a 7" EP containing new versions of five songs debuted on the tape, including "Flameproof Suit," an alternately calm and frenetic blast of post-hardcore power pop. Before the end of the year, they recorded "Genius of Crack," a brilliant ballad released on Homestead to significant acclaim in early 1992. A series of other 1992 releases -- among them "Left Behind," one-half of a split effort with Velocity Girl issued as part of the Sub Pop label's singles club series -- raised the band's profile in the indie underground. Diner and Matchbook, 7" exemplars of Simple Machines' impeccably rich packaging designs, circulated in early 1993. After so many offerings on 7", and a U.K. tour during which they recorded a session for John Peel's BBC program, Tsunami finally issued their full-length debut, Deep End, in mid-1993. The album featured a slightly brighter new version of "Genius of Crack," a fierce cover of My Dad Is Dead's "Water's Edge," and a pair of particularly confrontational highlights in the speedy "In a Name" (previewed on Matchbook) and hypnotic "Slugger." After additional touring, Tsunami issued their stunning and more complex second LP, The Heart's Tremolo, in 1994. The road again beckoned, and in the spring of 1995, they issued World Tour and Other Destinations, a CD-only compilation that brought together Headringer, A-sides, B-sides, and other stray tracks such as covers of Flower's "Beauty, Pt. 2" and Minutemen's "Courage." When John Pamer opted to continue his college studies, Tsunami effectively went on hiatus. Toomey and Thomson focused on operating Simple Machines, and the former also involved herself in the one-album 4AD band Liquorice, adding to a list of side pursuits that already included My New Boyfriend, Grenadine, and Liquorice precursor Slack. Pamer had intended to return upon graduation, but instead moved to New York. Rumors swirled throughout the indie press that the group had broken up, but Luther "Trip" Gray was installed as drummer, and Rob Christiansen -- of Eggs, Grenadine, Liquorice, and other acts -- was brought in for part-time bass duties as Andrew Webster reduced his role with the band. A short-lived quintet lineup recorded 1997's A Brilliant Mistake with added instrumentation from co-producer Dave Trumfio (guitar, keyboards), Mark Greenberg (organ, vibraphone), Dave Max Crawford (trumpet, flugelhorn, accordion), John Upchurch (lap steel guitar), and Archer Prewitt (melodica). Despite the extra layers, the band's third and final album was just as much a showcase for Toomey's and Thomson's considered lyrics, some of which could be taken as postscripts to their Mechanic's Guide, a pamphlet they wrote and published in support of aspiring independent musicians. A subsequent tour completed before the end of the year featured Amy Domingues in place of Christiansen, and Bob Massey on keyboards and third guitar. Simple Machines was laid to rest with a party the following March, and Tsunami played their last 20th century shows the next month. In 2000, Toomey and Thomson co-founded the musicians' advocacy non-profit Future of Music Coalition. Toomey released solo albums in 2001 and 2002. During the latter year, Tsunami reunited to perform at Ladyfest D.C., and returned for the Philadelphia iteration in 2003. Thomson at some point joined the Philly band KeN. Toomey and Thomson, joined by Luther Gray, Rob Christiansen, and Franklin Bruno (whose songs were the subject of Toomey's second solo LP), reconvened in 2023 for a handful of shows that included a performance at Numero Twenty Festival in Los Angeles. In 2024, The Numero Group reissued the band's Simple Machines recordings for streaming services and also put together the five-LP boxed set Loud Is As, released in November. A tour with pals Ida was planned for 2025. ~ Andy Kellman & Jason Ankeny, Rovi

Tsunami, Bill Basil

Tsunami

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