Cut from the same cloth as contemporaries like the Jesus Lizard, Steel Pole Bath Tub, and the Melvins, Austin's abrasive Cherubs existed for a brief window as part of the early-'90s noise rock underground. Their grinding, rhythm-driven songs came into full force on their fuzzy 1994 sophomore album, Heroin Man, as the band imploded. Twenty years later, with very little notice, a reunited Cherubs appeared from out of the ether, sounding as if no time had passed. From 2015 on, they steadily released new material like the 2019 album Immaculada High and 2021 EP SLO BLO 4 FRNZ & SXY. Cherubs were formed in 1991 by guitarist Kevin Whitley, bassist/vocalist Owen McMahon, and drummer Brent Prager. Part of an active noise rock scene in Austin, Texas (Whitley had formerly played drums in the weirdo punk band Ed Hall), Cherubs were quickly signed to Trance Syndicate, the label of Butthole Surfers drummer King Coffey. The label released the band's 1992 debut full-length, Icing, a showcase of Cherubs' aggressive and unrelenting sound. The group issued several 7" singles and had completed work on a second album when they broke up after Prager and McMahon got into a physical fight following a show. The album, Heroin Man, came out a few months later anyway, and marked a massive change in the band's sound with lead vocal duties taken over by Whitley. Two years later, there was still enough fanfare from the group's short lifespan to necessitate the release of the B-sides and rarities comp Short of Popular as well as a split 7" with Fuckemos, both released in 1996. Years passed, and the influence of Cherubs could be felt on the next generation of noisy bands. In 2013, tribute comp Everyone's Dead Before They Leave: A Tribute to the Cherubs materialized, and the next year the group announced they were reuniting. More than 20 years after its predecessor, third album 2 Ynfynyty was released by Brutal Panda Records in March 2015. The following year, the group returned with more new material, this time an EP entitled Fist in the Air. In late 2018, Cherubs signed on with Relapse Records, which would facilitate the release of their next album, 2019's tumultuous Immaculada High. They followed the record with 2021's EP SLO BLO 4 FRNZ & SXY, a ten-track collection that included some new songs, slowed-down remix versions, and an acoustic reworking of Immaculada High standout "Sooey Pig." ~ Fred Thomas

The Cribs, Cherubs

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