By: Matthew Burke
Stopping by San Diego’s Music Box October 29th is Failure. One of the most influential artists of the 90’s, yet you probably have never heard of them. In 1992, Failure debuted the raw, Steve Albini-produced, Comfort, followed by the medieval-induced Magnified. Songs like “Bernie” and “Small Crimes” had the “space-rock” pioneers sounding fresh, but it wasn’t until their ground-breaking third album, Fantastic Planet that gained some recognition with their highest charting single “Stuck On You”. It arrived in 1996 at the peak of the 90’s grunge scene; which perhaps had the trio missing the band-wagon. As Failure could of course be dropped into the ever vague genre of “grunge”, they don’t quite fit the mold of the Nirvanas and/or the Pearl Jams. The band’s knack for open guitar chords, astrologic soundscapes, and melancholic lyrics, create the scenery of an astronaut lost at space; stamping an original sound that is really, incomparable. Although, their unfortunate break-up in 1997 swept Failure under the rug, leaving their cult-following with just a pleasant memory.