Scott McCaughey

The droll humor and garage rock stylings of Young Fresh Fellows leader Scott McCaughey (vocals, bass) was an integral, yet often overlooked, factor in the Seattle alternative music revolution of the early '90s. McCaughey formed the Young Fresh Fellows in 1982 with Chuck Carroll (guitar) and Tad Hutchinson (drums). McCaughey's witty songwriting and '60s pop hooks were immediately welcomed by college radio; beginning with 1984's The Fabulous Sounds of the Northwest, the Young Fresh Fellows were all-stars on student-run stations. The mainstream may have been oblivious to McCaughey's work, but he helped to pioneer a sound that would eventually awaken the masses to music not manufactured by corporations. In 1989, McCaughey released a solo album, My Chartreuse Opinion. Despite the high profile of Seattle rock in the '90s, the Young Fresh Fellows were too quirky to capitalize on the success of their peers; McCaughey broke up the group in 1993. After the Young Fresh Fellows split up, McCaughey formed the Minus 5, a band featuring a revolving door of musicians, including R.E.M. guitarist Peter Buck and members of the Posies. The Minus 5 recorded their first album, Old Liquidator, in 1995, followed by The Lonesome Death of Buck McCoy in 1997. McCaughey has toured as an extra musician for R.E.M.