18th Dye

18th Dye may have hailed from Europe, but the group reveled in a distinctly American brand of indie rock (an almost pop melodicism married to an aggressive guitar attack) that owed a debt to such forebears as Sonic Youth, the Pixies, and Nirvana. Fittingly, the group scored an American distribution deal with Matador Records after American indie darlings Yo La Tengo, who are on the label, championed 18th Dye by dropping off a tape at the offices. The Berlin, Germany-based group consisted of German singer/guitarist Sebastian Büttrich, Danish drummer Piet Bendtsen, and Danish-German singer/bassist Heike Rädeker. The group released its drone-heavy, fuzzed-out debut, Done, in 1994. Chicago producer Iain Burgess (Naked Raygun, Ministry, Big Black) helped out on the effort. The less-produced six-song EP Crayon followed. In 1995, 18th Dye recruited Steve Albini (Nirvana, the Breeders, PJ Harvey) to record their sophomore LP, Tribute to a Bus. The effort featured a more aggressive, energetic approach than Done. In 1999, after three "goodbye" shows in Berlin, London, and Copenhagen, 18th Dye called it quits. Subsequently, Büttrich and Bendtsen formed a group called Kikkert, while Rädeker moved on to Evonike. Nearly a decade passed before the trio re-formed for a few live dates. With the band successful in its reunion shows, Crunchy Frog caught wind of the new buzz and offered 18th Dye a record deal. The group returned the favor by delivering the label its fourth album, Amorine Queen, which was released in May of 2008.