Representative Albums: "The Muffs," "Happy Birthday to Me," "Hamburger"
Representative Songs: "Everywhere I Go," "Lucky Guy," "Funny Face"
Biography
In the late '80s, founding Muffs Kim Shattuck and Melanie Vammen joined the heralded Los Angeles garage band the Pandoras, and under the direction of talented pop songwriter Paula Pierce, began to fall into over-exerted heavy metal posturing. After the disbanding of the Pandoras, Shattuck and Vammen formed the Muffs with drummer Criss Crass and bassist Ronnie Barnett. After two singles for indies Sub Pop and Sympathy for the Record Industry, which generated a large underground buzz, the Muffs were picked up by Warner Bros. and subsequently released their powerful eponymous debut album in 1993. Shortly after, Crass left the group and was replaced temporarily for the tour. Finally, after two years of touring in small venues throughout the world, the Muffs headed back into the studio to record the follow-up, Blonder and Blonder; now a three-piece due to Vammen's departure, which was caused by the typical musical differences. She would later turn up in long-standing California punk-pop band the Leaving Trains. For the Muffs' second album, ex-Redd Kross drummer and longtime Muffs friend Roy McDonald joined the group. Happy Birthday to Me followed in 1997, trailed two years later by Alert Today, Alive Tomorrow; a rarities collection, Hamburger, appeared in early 2000. After a five-year break from recording, the group reconvened in 2004 to release their fifth studio set. Really Really Happy. ~ Matt Carlson, All Music Guide
After releasing their initial 7" EPs and singles independently and on local labels, The Muffs signed to Warner Bros. Records in the early '90s and released their self-titled album in 1993. The Muffs were eventually dropped from the label. The Muffs have since continued to release new records on various independent labels.
The Muffs' leader is singer-songwriter Kim Shattuck. The original lineup also included guitarist Melanie Vammen (like Shattuck, a former member of 1980s all-female garage rock outfit The Pandoras), bassist Ronnie Barnett and drummer Criss Crass. Vammen and Crass left after the band's self-titled debut album. Crass was replaced by Jim Laspesa after their 1993 tour with the Goo Goo Dolls, and later by Roy McDonald in 1994. The Muffs have been a 3-piece since 1995 with members Kim Shattuck, Ronnie Barnett and Roy McDonald.
