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Veruca Salt reshaped the jagged, abrasive punk-pop of the Pixies and Breeders into a more accessible, riff-driven power pop formula that also borrowed from pop/hard rockers like Cheap Trick.

It was a successful formula, both musically and commercially, yet it didn’t ensure them indie rock credibility; in fact, they became one of the most harshly criticized bands of the post-Nirvana alternative rock era, despite being one of the first female-fronted outfits to achieve stardom in that genre.

Veruca Salt took shape in early 1992, when Chicago residents Louise Post and Nina Gordon began touring the local folk circuit.

Both were competent singers and guitarists, and a year’s worth of coffeehouse performances fueled their desire to recruit additional members for a full-fledged band.

After adding bassist Steve Lack and drummer Jim Shapiro (Gordon’s brother), Veruca Salt released their debut single, “Seether”/”All Hail Me,” in 1994 on the local independent label Minty Fresh Records. The record became a word-of-mouth sensation, working its way to alternative and college radio stations.

While supporting Hole on their fall tour, Veruca Salt released the debut album American Thighs on the Minty Fresh label, yet they soon cut a major-label deal with Geffen, which then re-released the album. “Seether” became an MTV hit as well, and soon the single was an across-the-board success.

However, the group received scathing criticism from magazines and fanzines, claiming that Veruca Salt were nothing but ripoff artists who used Minty Fresh as a way to gain credibility.

Nevertheless, the group’s popularity didn’t suffer, and American Thighs went gold, even though their next two singles — “Number One Blind” and “All Hail Me” — didn’t attract half the attention that “Seether” commanded.

We stock some awesome Veruca Salt Band Concert Posters.

Available in different sizes and printed on high quality 210gsm paper, you’ll find no unsightly pin holes, stains or creases.

In fact, they look like they could have come straight off the press from the original print run.

Will look fantastic framed on your man cave, office, bar or living room wall.

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