LOS ANGELES, CA- Alternative rock icons Garbage played KROQ’s Almost Acoustic Christmas at the Kia Forum on Dec. 9, and there’s no one who knows the event better. The quartet — made up of Shirley Manson, Butch Vig, Steve Marker and Duke Erikson — first played the event in 1995 and have been mainstays ever since.
In 1993, drummer Butch Vig, responsible for producing Nirvana’s Nevermind, wanted to create something different from the current sonic landscape. The aim was to bring in electronic elements, samples, loops and distorted guitars to create an alternative sound unlike anything of the time. After flying in vocalist Shirley Manson from Scotland, they found the tie that would bind them for the next three decades. With KROQ’s early support, the band saw success with singles “Stupid Girl” and “Only Happy When It Rains,” tracks in heavy rotation on alternative and rock radio to this day.
Ahead of their set at KROQ’s annual radio show, Manson and Marker shared memories of KROQ Christmases past, their favorite records this year and which band they’d ask to play at a holiday jam.
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BLURRED CULTURE: You’ve been performing at KROQ’s Almost Acoustic Christmas since it began more than 30 years ago. Is there a particular year that’s most memorable to you?SHIRLEY MANSON: [Our first appearance in] ’95. Because that was just the beginning of everything for us. The station was at its most mighty. Everybody was listening to alternative rock, which is not the case over the last 20 years or so. Pop has dominated, but back in ’95 alt was dominating. That was an exciting time. If you weren’t an alt band, nobody wanted to know, really. [laughter] Luckily, we were considered an alt band, so we were sharing the stage with big hitters, whether it was Oasis, Radiohead, No Doubt, Fiona Apple — it was dreamy. It was a dreamy time.
So, you’re throwing a holiday party, and you can put together a band to come jam at the party. Who would you pick to be in it, outside of Garbage? Anyone at all.SHIRLEY: That’s a hard question! That’s too hard!
STEVE MARKER: That’s like, “What’s your favorite band of all time?” But a party band, though. What’s the best party band?
SHIRLEY: ABBA.
STEVE: ABBA. Yes. They’re getting back together for our party.
SHIRLEY: That would be fun.
What are some records this year that we should ask Santa for?SHIRLEY: It’s a bit of an OG choice. It’s not hip and happening, but I think she’s still hip and happening: The Pretenders’ new record. The songwriting, and her voice. I mean, [Chrissie Hynde] is now going for six decades, which, for a woman in rock and roll, is practically unheard of. To hear her better than ever — I was jealous when I first heard it. It’s really inspiring. That’s one of the standouts for me.
STEVE: I’ve got to say the new Cat Power, Sings Dylan. It’s amazing.
SHIRLEY: She’s always amazing. It’s so frustrating. [laughter]
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