Summary
Band | Origin | From | Genre | Status | Years Acitve |
Drop Nineteens |  | Boston, Massachusetts | Shoegaze Noisepop | Active | 1991-1995 2022- |
The Rise, Fall, and Resurgence of Drop Nineteens: A Shoegaze Saga
In the early ’90s, amidst the flannel-clad grunge wave crashing over America, a distinct ripple emanated from Boston, Massachusetts. This wasn’t the angst-driven roar from Seattle but a more introspective, ethereal sound that would encapsulate a generation of shoegazers. At the heart of this ripple were Drop Nineteens, a band that not only defined a genre but also charted a path of artistic evolution, turbulence, and an unexpected resurgence after decades. This is their story.
From Classroom to the Cosmos: The Formation of Drop Nineteens
In 1990, Boston University classmates Greg Ackell (vocals, guitar) and Chris Roof (drums) decided to transcend their academic pursuits for something louder. They were joined by Paula Kelley (vocals, guitar), Motohiro Yasue (guitar), and Steve Zimmerman (bass), forming a coalition of noise that would soon be known as Drop Nineteens. The band was christened from a quirky childhood memory of Ackell’s, hinting at the playful creativity that would become their hallmark.
Initially dubbed April Rain, the group quickly shifted gears to Drop Nineteens, a nod to Ackell’s penchant for dropping objects off his 19th-floor apartment terrace. This act of youthful rebellion and gravity’s consistent pull provided a fitting metaphor for the band’s music trajectory—soaring melodies anchored by a gravitational pull towards introspection and noise.
Delaware (1992)
Delaware to National Coma: A Musical Journey
With their debut album Delaware in 1992, Drop Nineteens didn’t just enter the shoegaze scene; they exploded into it. Recorded in the same studio as the Pixies’ Doolittle, the album showcased a band equally comfortable with ethereal soundscapes as they were with raw, unfiltered noise. The lead single “Winona” became an MTV staple, and despite the album’s greater success in Europe, it marked Drop Nineteens as a significant American contributor to a predominantly British genre.
However, it wasn’t all smooth sailing. The band’s swift rise led to lineup changes that were as dramatic as their music. Following Delaware, Kelley and Roof departed, signaling the beginning of the band’s internal upheavals. By the time they released National Coma in 1993, the band had undergone a sonic shift towards a more alt-rock sound, perhaps as a response to their previous pigeonholing within the shoegaze category. Despite high-profile gigs and tours, including opening for Blur and PJ Harvey, the album’s reception was lukewarm, leading to further departures and, ultimately, the band’s breakup in 1995
Silence and Solo Ventures
The post-Drop Nineteens era was a period of dispersion and exploration for its members. Ackell ventured into the floral business, Kelley pursued a solo career, and others dabbled in various musical projects. Yet, the band’s influence persisted. The advent of streaming platforms breathed new life into Delaware, introducing Drop Nineteens to a new generation and rekindling interest in their unique sound.
Hard Light: The Resurgence
Fast forward to 2022, and the unexpected happened: Drop Nineteens announced their reformation. With Ackell spearheading the revival, the band released “Scapa Flow,” their first single in three decades, followed by the album Hard Light in 2023. This wasn’t just a comeback; it was a reclamation. Hard Light managed to bridge the gap between the band’s shoegaze roots and a more mature, nuanced approach to songwriting, proving that Drop Nineteens was not a relic of the past but a vibrant, evolving entity.
Drop Nineteens’ journey through the peaks and valleys of the music industry reveals a band unafraid to evolve, challenge, and reinvent itself. Their influences ranged from the fuzzed-out ferocity of My Bloody Valentine and Sonic Youth to the pop sensibilities of The Pixies and The Cure, creating a sound that was both familiar and utterly their own.
As pioneers of American shoegaze, Drop Nineteens carved a niche that went beyond mere emulation of their British counterparts. They brought a unique perspective to the genre, blending introspection with a raw, unfiltered energy that resonated on both sides of the Atlantic. Today, their legacy is not just in their music but in their resilience and ability to adapt, inspire, and captivate listeners across generations.
Discography
Studio Albums | |
Delaware  SGF Rating | Released: June 5th 1992 Track listing |
National Coma  RYM AVG. Rating SGF Rating | Released: 1993 Track listing
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Hard Light  | Released: 2023 Track listing 1. Hard Light (3:05) 2. Scapa Flow (3:59)
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EPs & Other | |
Mayfield  RYM AVG. Rating SGF Rating | Unreleased Bootleg Released: 1991 Tracklisting 1. Mayfield 2. Shannon Waves
Total length: 51:02 |
Your Aquarium  RYM AVG. Rating SGF Rating | EP Released: 1992 Track listing
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Videos
