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Scrawl

{{Short description|American indie rock band}}

{{About|the American musical trio|the 2015 Daisy Ridley film|Scrawl (film)|the 2001 album|Scrawl (album)}}

{{Use mdy dates|date=October 2024}}

{{Infobox musical artist|

| name = Scrawl

| image = File:Scrawl in 1988.png

| landscape = yes

| caption = Scrawl in 1988

| background = group_or_band

| alias = Skull (1985)

| origin = Columbus, Ohio, U.S.

| genre = {{flatlist|

}}

| years_active = {{flatlist|

  • 1985–present

}}

| label = {{flatlist|

}}

| current_members = Marcy Mays
Sue Harshe
Jovan Karcic

| past_members = Carla Sanseri
Carolyn O'Leary
Dana Marshall

}}

Scrawl is an American indie rock band. The band were formed in Columbus, Ohio in 1985 by guitarist and vocalist Marcy Mays, bassist and backing vocalist Sue Harshe and drummer Carolyn O'Leary, from the ashes of Mays' previous band Skull; they adopted their current name after playing their first show together. The band has been described as a precursor to riot grrrl, though they do not consider themselves part of the movement.

In 1987, Scrawl released its debut album Plus, Also Too, which earned the band a deal with Rough Trade Records. The band released two albums with the label, He's Drunk (1988) and Smallmouth (1990), before parting ways with the label. O'Leary left the band in 1992 and was replaced by Dana Marshall, who made his recording debut on Velvet Hammer (1993). The band moved to the major label Elektra Records for two albums, Travel On, Rider (1996) and Nature Film (1998), which were both underpromoted. Although they have not released any new material since Nature Film, Scrawl have continued to tour with drummer Jovan Karcic, who joined in 2007.

History

= Formation and Rough Trade Records (1985–1990) =

Guitarist and vocalist Marcy Mays and bassist and backing vocalist Sue Harshe first met each other in 1984 whilst the latter visiting her boyfriend in Athens, Ohio, and quickly became friends.{{Sfn|Hurachulla|2016|p=|pp=334-335}} Both members had past experience playing in hardcore bands; at the time of meeting, Mays was in a band called Skull with bassist Jane Young and drummer Carla Sanseri, and Harshe in No Amerika! According to Harshe, they did not contribute to their bands' songwriting as they felt intimidated.{{Sfn|Hurachulla|2016|p=|pp=334-335}} When Mays relocated to Columbus in early 1985, she and Harshe both agreed they would write songs and be "masters of [their] own domain".{{Sfn|Hurachulla|2016|p=335|pp=}} Around this time, Skull were offered an opening slot for the Butthole Surfers by show promoter and School Kids and No Other Records owner Curt Scheiber.{{Sfn|Hurachulla|2016|p=|pp=335-336}} Young was not interested, and Harshe subsequently joined the band as her replacement.{{Sfn|Hurachulla|2016|p=335|pp=}} Prior to a show opening for the Meat Puppets in August 1985,{{Cite web |last=Anon. |date=n.d. |title=Scrawl |url=http://www.simplemachines.net/scrawl.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010219162733/http://www.simplemachines.net/scrawl.html |archive-date=2001-02-19 |access-date=2024-11-28 |website=Simple Machines Records}} Skull changed its name to Scrawl and Sanseri was replaced by Carolyn O'Leary.{{Sfn|Hurachulla|2016|p=335|pp=}} According to Harshe, the band chose Scrawl because they thought that Skull "sound[ed] too heavy metal", and because it rhymed with their former name.{{Sfn|Hurachulla|2016|p=335|pp=}} The band developed a following,{{Sfn|MacInnis|1989}}{{Sfn|Larkin|2006}} and embarked on its first tour in 1986, performing in the cities of Lexington, Kentucky, Tallahassee and Jackson, Mississippi.{{Sfn|Hurachulla|2016|p=335|pp=}} Mays said that Scrawl did not expect themselves to be long-lived, telling the Chicago Tribune in 1990; "Everything for the next nine months [after the Meat Puppets show] was, 'Let's just do one more gig'. We never thought we'd be together one more month."{{Sfn|Helm|1990}}

With the help of their friends, Scrawl recorded its debut album Plus Also Too in September 1986,{{Sfn|Myers|1989}} for less than $500.{{Sfn|MacInnis|1989}} The album was released through Scheiber's No Other Records label in May 1987, to positive reviews and media response.{{Sfn|Larkin|2006|p=315}} After Robert Christgau gave the album a favourable review in his "Consumer Guide" for The Village Voice,{{Cite web |last=Christgau |first=Robert |author-link=Robert Christgau |date=1987-10-27 |title=Consumer Guide |url=https://www.robertchristgau.com/xg/cg/cgv10-87.php |access-date=2025-02-19 |website=The Village Voice |via=robertchristgau.com}} Scrawl received offers from Homestead, Twin/Tone and Rough Trade Records.{{Sfn|Hurachulla|2016|p=336}} Following a performance for all three labels at CBGB in New York City—which Mays later recalled as "one of the worst" the band played—Scrawl signed to Rough Trade in the spring of 1988.{{Harvnb|Larkin|2006}} reports the date of Scrawl's signing to Rough Trade as March 1988, whilst {{Harvnb|Myers|1989}} reports it as May 1988.{{Cite web |last=DeVille |first=Chris |date=2012-10-23 |title=Rewind: Marcy Mays of Scrawl |url=https://www.columbusalive.com/story/entertainment/music/2012/10/23/rewind-marcy-mays-scrawl/23015768007/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220519162306/https://www.columbusalive.com/story/entertainment/music/2012/10/23/rewind-marcy-mays-scrawl/23015768007/ |archive-date=2022-05-19 |access-date=2024-11-28 |website=Columbus Alive |quote=We had 20 minutes, and I broke two strings. [...] we ended up getting a record deal with Rough Trade from that show. But it was horrible. It was the longest 20 minutes of my life.}} The band then recorded their second album, He's Drunk, at Paisely Park Studios in Minneapolis.{{Sfn|Holley|1988}} Released in October 1988,{{Sfn|Myers|1989}}{{Sfn|MacInnis|1989}} the album had sold 4,000 copies by 1990.{{Sfn|Madam X|1990|p=69}} Following its release, Scrawl toured with Firehose;{{Sfn|Larkin|2006}} they continued to tour the United States in support of the album until March 1989.{{Sfn|Myers|1989}} After a hiatus due to O'Leary breaking her arm, Scrawl recorded their third album Smallmouth with producer Gary Smith in November 1989.{{Sfn|Myers|1989}} Following the album's release in February 1990, Scrawl embarked on a month-long tour of the United States before touring Europe for four weeks in May of that year.{{Sfn|Myers|1989}} Following abortive negotiations with the label over their fourth album and the release of a four-song promotional extended play of covers recorded by Steve Albini,{{Sfn|Strong|1999}}{{Sfn|Larkin|2006|p=315}} Scrawl parted ways with Rough Trade in the fall of 1990. The following year, the label declared bankruptcy, and Scrawl's back catalog subsequently went out of print. The band were forced to buy back their master tapes at public auction.{{Cite web |last=McGovern |first=Gerry |date=1993 |title=The Unforgettable 5 |url=https://www.hotpress.com/music/the-unforgettable-5-464190 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20241202115506/https://www.hotpress.com/music/the-unforgettable-5-464190 |archive-date=2024-12-02 |access-date=2024-12-02 |website=Hot Press}}{{Sfn|Thompson|1993|p=66}}{{Sfn|Strong|1999}}

= Simple Machines and ''Velvet Hammer'' (1991–1995) =

In January and April 1991, the band recorded an extended play with Steve Albini, Bloodsucker. According to Jason Ankey of AllMusic, the EP "is clearly informed by the group's troubled experiences in the music business"; the liner notes, in regards to its cover artwork, state that "any resemblance to music industry executives is purely coincidental."{{Citation |title=Bloodsucker - Scrawl {{!}} Album {{!}} AllMusic |url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/bloodsucker-mw0000096299 |access-date=2024-11-28 |language=en}} Released in October 1991 through Feel Good All Over Records, the EP quickly sold out of its first pressing of 2,000 copies.{{Sfn|Thompson|1993|p=66}} Although it suffered from poor distribution, Bloodsucker received strong reviews,{{Sfn|Larkin|2006|p=315}} and was ranked ninth on the 1991 Pazz & Jop poll for extended plays, tying with releases from Dinosaur Jr. and Prisonshake.{{Cite web |date=1992-03-02 |title=Robert Christgau: Pazz & Jop 1991: Critics Poll |url=https://www.robertchristgau.com/xg/pnj/pjres91.php |access-date=2024-11-28 |website=The Village Voice |via=robertchristgau.com |archive-date=June 27, 2002 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20020627005432/https://www.robertchristgau.com/xg/pnj/pjres91.php |url-status=live }} Around the time of its release, the band played shows with the Afghan Whigs and My Bloody Valentine.{{Sfn|Larkin|2006}}

In May 1992, O'Leary left Scrawl.{{Sfn|Larkin|2006|p=315}} The following month, the band released the 7" single "Misery (Someone Is Winning) / Just Plain Bad",{{Sfn|Larkin|2006|p=}} before embarking on the "Foxcore, My Ass" tour as an acoustic duo. By the end of 1992, the band had recruited Dana Marshall as their new drummer and signed with Simple Machines Records and Southern Records (for the UK).{{Sfn|Larkin|2006}} Harshe said that the band were no long worried about working with men again as they felt they had become better songwriters and performers. In January 1993, Scrawl worked with Albini again for the recording of Velvet Hammer,{{Sfn|Larkin|2006}} which was released on November 8, 1993.{{Sfn|Jennings|1993}} According to Mays, much of the album is about isolation and being alone.{{Sfn|Jennings|1993}} In the fall of 1994, the band embarked on a tour of Europe{{Sfn|Carlson|1995|p=8}} and performed at the Reading Festival in the United Kingdom.{{Cite journal |last=Simpson |first=Dave |date=September 3, 1994 |title=Reading Festival, Melody Maker Stage |url=https://www.rocksbackpages.com/Library/Article/reading-festival-imelody-makeri-stage |journal=Melody Maker |via=Rock's Back Pages |archive-date=February 12, 2025 |access-date=February 14, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250212050244/https://www.rocksbackpages.com/Library/Article/reading-festival-imelody-makeri-stage |url-status=live }}

= Elektra Records (1996–1999) =

In 1996,{{Cite web |last=Martin |first=David W. |date=February 25, 1999 |title=Reluctant Godmothers |url=https://www.clevescene.com/music/reluctant-godmothers-1471950 |access-date=2024-10-03 |website=Cleveland Scene |language=en}} Scrawl were signed to Elektra Records by A&R rep Terry Tolkin.{{Cite magazine |last=Knopper |first=Steve |date=2022-01-25 |title=Terry Tolkin, Who Championed Alt-Rock at Elektra, Dies at 62 |url=https://www.billboard.com/business/record-labels/terry-tolkin-elektra-butthole-surfers-dead-1235022184/ |access-date=2024-10-04 |magazine=Billboard |language=en-US}} The band released its major label debut, Travel On Rider, in August 1996.{{Sfn|Reece|1996}} The band toured the Northeastern US in October,{{Sfn|Reece|1996}} prior to a supporting tour with Wilco in 1997.{{Citation needed|date=February 2025}} For their sixth album, Nature Film , Scrawl re-recorded six of their Rough Trade-era songs and a cover of Public Image Ltd's "Public Image", alongside six new songs.{{Cite web |last=Rosenheim |first=David |date=1998 |title=An Interview with Scrawl's Sue Harshe |url=http://www.inkblotmagazine.com/Interviews/int_Scrawl.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010413091523/http://www.inkblotmagazine.com/Interviews/int_Scrawl.htm |archive-date=2001-04-13 |access-date=2024-12-02 |website=Inkblot Magazine}} Harshe said that the band wanted to re-record their old songs as they had changed and "become more fluid live" over the years, and because "the thought of giving [Elektra] 12 new songs seemed really depressing to us" due to the label's lacklustre promotion of Travel On, Rider. Mays later said that the band "were basically saying 'fuck em' by not giving [the label] anything new".{{Cite web |last=614NOW Staff |date=2014-01-01 |title=Marcy Mays |url=https://614now.com/2014/uncategorized/marcy-mays |access-date=2024-12-02 |website=614Now |language=en-US |archive-date=February 9, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250209140544/https://614now.com/2014/uncategorized/marcy-mays |url-status=live }} The album was released in May 1998, and was supported by a tour supporting Mike Watt.{{Sfn|Malsey|1998}} Six weeks after its release, Elektra informed Scrawl via fax that they had dropped the band from its roster. In response, Scrawl launched a mailing campaign with its supporters and more than 250 people on its mailing list to send a postcard to label head Sylvia Rhone, featuring a copy of the fax from Elektra on one side and the following message for a sender to tick off and sign on the other:{{Sfn|CMJ|1998|pp=3, 67}}

Elektra has dropped Scrawl. I am: 1) Disgusted; 2) Relieved; 3) Out of the Closet; 4) Other
In an 1998 interview with CMJ New Music Report, Harshe said that they were not surprised about being dropped from Elektra due to the minimal support for both Travel On, Rider and Nature Film, claiming that the label "never sent out anything other than advance CDs" and that both releases had sold less copies than their independent albums, although she did not feel bitter towards them.{{Sfn|CMJ|1998|p=67}} As of August 1998, the former had sold 2,115 copies, whilst the latter had sold only 956 copies.{{Sfn|CMJ|1998|p=67}} David Martin of the Cleveland Scene associated Scrawl with the "Columbus Curse" of bands from the city that were "wooed, signed, and tossed aside like chew toys by major labels", including Royal Crescent Mob, the Toll and Watershed. A planned tour of the west coast of the United States with the Spinanes, due to commence in October 1998,{{Sfn|CMJ|1998|p=67}} was cancelled after Mays broke her collarbone, which also hindered the band's plans to work on new material.{{Cite web |last=Meyer |first=Bill |date=1999-02-11 |title=Scrawl |url=https://chicagoreader.com/music/scrawl/ |access-date=2024-12-02 |website=Chicago Reader |language=en-US}} The band resumed touring in 1999.

= Subsequent activities (2000–present) =

On March 16, 2000, Scrawl played their final show with Dana Marshall, who relocated to Sweden thereafter.{{Sfn|Schieber|2000}} In early 2001, Scrawl played a few shows as a duo, with Mays and Harshe handling keyboards in the absence of a drummer.{{Cite web |last=Niesel |first=Jeff |date=2001-01-04 |title=Scrawl |url=https://www.clevescene.com/music/scrawl-1476005 |access-date=2024-11-28 |website=Cleveland Scene |language=en |archive-date=January 23, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250123090916/https://www.clevescene.com/music/scrawl-1476005 |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |date=2001-07-21 |title=Scrawl |url=http://www.scrawl.net/ |access-date=2024-11-28 |archive-date=July 21, 2001 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010721161208/http://www.scrawl.net/ |url-status=bot: unknown }}{{Cite web |date=2001-04-02 |title=Scrawl |url=http://www.scrawl.net/ |access-date=2024-11-28 |archive-date=April 2, 2001 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010402013431/http://www.scrawl.net/ |url-status=bot: unknown }} In 2007, Scrawl reunited to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Little Brother club in Columbus, with Jovan Karcic, formerly the guitarist of fellow Columbus band Gaunt, joining as their new drummer.{{Cite web |last=Writer |first=Staff |date=2007-02-28 |title=Scrawl to reunite |url=https://www.columbusmonthly.com/story/news/columns/2007/02/28/scrawl-to-reunite/23023955007/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220520133908/https://www.columbusalive.com/story/news/columns/2007/02/28/scrawl-to-reunite/23023955007/ |archive-date=2022-05-20 |access-date=2024-10-04 |website=Columbus Monthly |language=en-US}} That same year, Harshe formed a new band, Fort Shame.{{Cite web |last=Joy |first=Kevin |date=2012-11-15 |title=Meet the Band: Fort Shame |url=https://www.dispatch.com/story/entertainment/music/2012/11/15/meet-band-fort-shame/24022341007/ |access-date=2025-02-14 |website=The Columbus Dispatch |language=en-US |archive-date=December 8, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241208052532/https://www.dispatch.com/story/entertainment/music/2012/11/15/meet-band-fort-shame/24022341007/ |url-status=live }} The band has continued to tour and perform since then.

In a 2023 interview with Matter News, Mays revealed that Scrawl had begun producing new instrumentals together since the summer with the intention of finally releasing a new album, though said they have no deadlines.{{Cite web |last=Downing |first=Andy |date=2023-09-29 |title=Scrawl continues to keep the drama to a minimum |url=https://matternews.org/culture/scrawl-continues-to-keep-the-drama-to-a-minimum/ |access-date=2024-11-28 |website=Matter News |language=en-US |archive-date=February 11, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250211173616/https://matternews.org/culture/scrawl-continues-to-keep-the-drama-to-a-minimum/ |url-status=live }} In 2024, the band performed at DromFest '24 in Catskill, New York.{{Cite web |date=2024-06-14 |title=DromFest '24 Will Host The First Cell And Poem Rocket Sets In Decades |url=https://www.stereogum.com/2268132/dromfest-24-will-host-the-first-cell-and-poem-rocket-sets-in-decades/news/ |access-date=2025-02-14 |website=Stereogum |language=en |archive-date=June 15, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240615012700/https://www.stereogum.com/2268132/dromfest-24-will-host-the-first-cell-and-poem-rocket-sets-in-decades/news/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |last=Hart |first=Ron |date=2024-08-26 |title=DromFest '24 Has Coaxed '80s and '90s Bands to Come Out and Play |url=https://www.villagevoice.com/dromfest-24-has-coaxed-80s-and-90s-bands-to-come-out-and-play/ |access-date=2025-02-14 |website=The Village Voice |language=en-US |archive-date=September 17, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240917202316/https://www.villagevoice.com/dromfest-24-has-coaxed-80s-and-90s-bands-to-come-out-and-play/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |last=Snyder |first=Adam |date=2024-08-28 |title=Homegrown independent music fest this weekend in Catskill |url=https://hudsonvalleyone.com/2024/08/28/homegrown-independent-music-fest-this-weekend-in-catskill/ |access-date=2025-02-14 |website=Hudson Valley One |language=en-US}}

Musical style and influences

Scrawl have been described as indie rock{{Cite web |last=DeVille |first=Chris |date=October 23, 2012 |title=Rewind: Marcy Mays of Scrawl |url=https://www.columbusmonthly.com/story/entertainment/music/2012/10/23/rewind-marcy-mays-scrawl/23015768007/ |access-date=2024-10-04 |website=Columbus Monthly |language=en-US |archive-date=January 23, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250123081856/https://www.columbusmonthly.com/story/entertainment/music/2012/10/23/rewind-marcy-mays-scrawl/23015768007/ |url-status=live }}{{Sfn|Robbins|1997}} and post-punk.{{Cite web |title=Columbus Trio Scrawl Returns to Cleveland {{!}} CoolCleveland |url=https://coolcleveland.com/2013/06/columbus-trio-scrawl-returns-to-cleveland/ |access-date=2025-02-14 |website=coolcleveland.com |archive-date=October 3, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241003194023/https://coolcleveland.com/2013/06/columbus-trio-scrawl-returns-to-cleveland/ |url-status=live }} The band's first two albums, Plus, Also, Too and He's Drunk, were described as indie pop.{{Sfn|Robbins|1997}}{{Cite web |last=Ankey |first=Jason |date=n.d. |title=Scrawl Songs, Albums, Reviews, Bio & More |url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/scrawl-mn0000312260 |access-date=2024-10-04 |website=AllMusic |language=en |archive-date=February 11, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250211182221/https://www.allmusic.com/artist/scrawl-mn0000312260 |url-status=live }} Gregory McGovern of Hot Press described the band's style as "minimalist rock ‘n' roll". The band's musical influences include Cheap Trick,{{Sfn|Lobinger|Ferris|1986}}{{Sfn|Hainer|1992}} Paula Abdul,{{Sfn|Hainer|1992}} Head East, Judas Priest,{{Sfn|Lobinger|Ferris|1986}} the Meat Puppets,{{Sfn|Helm|1990}} the Roches and Wire.{{Cite web |last=Petkovic |first=John |date=2013-06-13 |title=Columbus trio Scrawl plays a rare show at Cleveland Heights' Grog Shop Saturday |url=https://www.cleveland.com/music/2013/06/columbus_trio_scrawl_plays_a_r.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221117215937/https://www.cleveland.com/music/2013/06/columbus_trio_scrawl_plays_a_r.html |archive-date=2022-11-17 |access-date=2024-12-06 |website=Cleveland.com}} In an 1995 interview with The Michigan Daily, Harshe highlighted Mays' background in country and western music and her own interest in 1970s pop music as elements she thought came through in Scrawl's music.{{Sfn|Carlson|1995|pp=8-9}}

Legacy

According to Jason Ankey of AllMusic, Scrawl "carved out their own tough-minded yet feminine niche within the underground community" prior to the riot grrrl movement and subsequent "widespread emergence of female artists in the male-dominated world of indie rock". In 1992, Cathy Hainer of USA Today wrote that the band "have been called 'the spiritual grandmothers' of the girl-grunge movement",{{Sfn|Hainer|1992}} whilst in 1993, Caroline Sullivan of The Guardian called them the "founding mothers" of the riot grrrl movement.{{Sfn|Sullivan|1993}} In a 2009 listicle covering the "100 Greatest Bands You've (Probably) Never Heard" for Spin, Chuck Eddy described Scrawl as "ahead of its time" and "the lone antidote to guitar-rock Guyville" in the late 1980s before the appearance of riot grrrl.{{Sfn|Eddy|2009|p=74}} In The Encyclopedia of Popular Music, Colin Larkin wrote that although Scrawl were "deeply suspicious" of their associations with riot grrrl by a "trend-obsessed media"—as suggested by their 1992 "Foxcore, My Ass" tour—"many of the musicians involved in [the] movement openly acknowledged their debt to the group's late 80's recordings."{{Sfn|Larkin|2006}} Kathleen Hanna cited Scrawl as an influence on her music,{{Sfn|McDonnell|1999}} whilst Tsumani guitarist Jenny Toomey called them an "enormous influence on what we did and how we did it."{{Sfn|Gentry|2012}}

In an 1993 interview with Hot Press, Harshe said of riot grrrl: "I think that [it] is good for young women. We [Scrawl] certainly don't really have an alignment with them. Partly because we are older and we started out a long time ago. And so it really doesn't hold anything for us."{{Cite web |last=McGovern |first=Gerry |date=1993 |title=The Unforgettable 5 |url=https://www.hotpress.com/music/the-unforgettable-5-464190 |access-date=2024-12-02 |website=Hot Press |archive-date=February 12, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250212093122/https://www.hotpress.com/music/the-unforgettable-5-464190 |url-status=live }} In an interview with Melody Maker that same year, Harshe stated that she felt the "frenzy" of "Angry Women in Rock" articles by outlets such as The New York Times and Rolling Stone—which grouped Scrawl with Babes in Toyland, L7, Bikini Kill and Courtney Love—"was a great way of making all these bands lose their individuality".{{Sfn|Jennings|1993}} In a 1999 interview with the Cleveland Scene, she called the band's association to the movement "very bizarre" and "a joke". In a 2014 interview, Mays said: "There was nothing intentionally feminist about [Scrawl's] music, but we were leading feminist lives by doing what we wanted to do and not really paying attention to what people wanted us to do. And that's definitely reflected in the music."

Band members

{{col-begin}}{{col-2}}

Current line-up

  • Marcy Mays - vocals, guitar (1985–present)
  • Sue Harshe - bass, vocals (1985–present)
  • Jovan Karcic - drums (2007–present)

{{col-2}}Past members

  • Carla Sanseri - drums (1985)
  • Carolyn O'Leary - drums (1985–1992)
  • Dana Marshall - drums (1992–2000)

{{col-end}}

Timeline{{#tag:timeline|ImageSize=width:790 height:auto barincrement:22

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DateFormat = mm/dd/yyyy

Period = from:01/01/1985 till:{{#time:m/d/Y}}

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Legend = orientation:vertical position:bottom columns:4

ScaleMajor = increment:3 start:1985

ScaleMinor = increment:1 start:1985

Colors =

id:v value:red legend:Vocals

id:g value:green legend:Guitar

id:b value:blue legend:Bass

id:d value:orange legend:Drums

id:alb value:black legend:Studio_album

id:ep value:gray(0.50) legend:Extended_play

id:bar value:gray(0.95)

LineData =

layer:back

at:05/01/1987 color:alb

at:10/01/1988 color:alb

at:02/01/1990 color:alb

at:10/01/1991 color:ep

at:11/08/1993 color:alb

at:08/20/1996 color:alb

at:05/19/1998 color:alb

BackgroundColors = bars:bar

BarData =

bar:Marcy text:Marcy Mays

bar:Sue text:Sue Harshe

bar:Carla text:Carla Sanseri

bar:Carolyn text:Carolyn O'Leary

bar:Dana text:Dana Marshall

bar:Jovan text:Jovan Karcic

PlotData =

width:11

bar:Marcy from:start till:end color:v width:3

bar:Marcy from:start till:end color:g

bar:Sue from:01/01/1985 till:end color:b

bar:Sue from:01/01/1985 till:end color:v width:3

bar:Carla from:start till:06/01/1985 color:d

bar:Carolyn from:06/01/1985 till:05/01/1992 color:d

bar:Dana from:09/01/1992 till:03/17/2000 color:d

bar:Jovan from:02/01/2007 till:end color:d}}

Discography

= Studio albums =

class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;" border="1"

|+List of studio albums, with selected details

! scope="col" style="width:13em;" |Title

! scope="col" style="width:18em;" |Album details

scope="row" |Plus, Also, Too

|

  • Released: May 1987{{Sfn|Strong|1999}}
  • Label: No Other
  • Format: LP
scope="row" |He's Drunk

|

  • Released: October 1988{{Sfn|MacInnis|1989}}{{Sfn|Myers|1989}}
  • Label: Rough Trade
  • Format: CS, LP
scope="row" |Smallmouth

|

  • Released: February 1990{{Sfn|Myers|1989}}
  • Label: Rough Trade
  • Format: CD, CS, LP
scope="row" |Velvet Hammer

|

  • Released: November 8, 1993{{Sfn|Jennings|1993}}
  • Label: Simple Machines
  • Format: CD, CS, LP
scope="row" |Travel On, Rider

|

  • Released: August 20, 1996{{Sfn|Reece|1996}}
  • Label: Elektra
  • Format: CD, CS, LP
scope="row" |Nature Film

|

  • Released: May 19, 1998{{Cite web |last=Kellman |first=Andy |date=n.d. |title=Nature Film - Scrawl {{!}} Album |url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/nature-film-mw0000037332 |access-date=2024-12-01 |website=AllMusic |archive-date=December 25, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231225183721/https://www.allmusic.com/album/nature-film-mw0000037332 |url-status=live }}
  • Label: Elektra
  • Format: CD, CS

= Compilation albums =

class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;" border="1"

|+List of compilation albums, with selected details

! scope="col" style="width:13em;" |Title

! scope="col" style="width:18em;" |Split details

scope="row" |He's Drunk/Plus, Also, Too

|

  • Released: 1989
  • Label: Rough Trade
  • Format: CD

= Extended plays =

class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;" border="1"

|+List of extended plays, with selected details

! scope="col" style="width:13em;" |Title

! scope="col" style="width:18em;" |Split details

scope="row" |Bloodsucker

|

  • Released: October 1991
  • Label: Feel Good All Over
  • Format: CD, CS, LP

= Split releases =

class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;" border="1"

|+List of split releases, with selected details

! scope="col" style="width:13em;" |Title

! scope="col" style="width:18em;" |Split details

scope="row" |January / Working Holiday

(Scrawl and Versus)

|

  • Released: March 1993{{Sfn|Strong|1999}}
  • Label: Simple Machines
  • Format: 7-inch
scope="row" |I'm Going Out Of My Way / Breaker Breaker

(Stereolab and Scrawl)

|

  • Released: 1994
  • Label: Radiopaque
  • Format: 7-inch

= Singles =

class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;"

|+List of singles

! scope="col" style="width:18em;" |Title

! scope="col" |Year

! scope="col" |Album

scope="row" |"Misery (Someone is Winning) / Just Plain Bad"

|1992

|Non-album single

scope="row" |"Your Mother Wants to Know"

|1993

|Velvet Hammer

scope="row" |"Good Under Pressure"{{Sfn|Anderson|1995}}

|1995

|Travel On, Rider

References

{{reflist}}

Bibliography

  • {{Cite magazine |last=Anderson |first=Lydia |date=1995-07-10 |title=Singles |url=https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/CMJ/1995/CMJ-New-Music-Report-1995-07-10.pdf |magazine=CMJ New Music Report |publisher=CMJ Network, Inc. |page=18 |via=worldradiohistory.com |volume=43 |issue=4}}
  • {{Cite magazine |last=Anon. |date=August 17, 1998 |title=Elektra Drops Scrawl, Band Strikes Back |url=https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/CMJ/1998/CMJ-1998-08-17.pdf |magazine=CMJ New Music Report |publisher=CMJ Network, Inc. |pages=3, 67 |via=worldradiohistory.com |volume=55 |issue=8 |ref={{harvid|CMJ|1998}}}}
  • {{Cite news |last=Carlson |first=Matt |date=1995-01-13 |title=Scrawl's 'Velvet' crunch |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=BE85AAAAIBAJ&pg=PA8 |work=The Michigan Daily |pages=8–9}}
  • {{Cite magazine |last=Eddy |first=Chuck |author-link=Chuck Eddy |date=August 2009 |title=Unsung: The 100 Greatest Bands You've (probably) Never Heard |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=xGaz0_gZPzIC&pg=PA74 |magazine=Spin |pages=68, 74 |volume=25 |issue=8}}
  • {{Cite book |last=Gentry |first=Brandon |title=Capitol Contingency: Post-Punk, Indie Rock, and Noise Pop in Washington, D.C., 1991-99 |publisher=Garrett County Press |year=2012 |isbn=9781891053740 |chapter=Tsunami, Deep End (Simple Machines, 1993)}}
  • {{Cite news |last=Hainer |first=Cathy |date=May 19, 1992 |title=These hard-rocking women go for the 'grunge' |work=USA Today |page=4D |id={{ProQuest|306496659}}}}
  • {{Cite news |last=Helm |first=Mike |date=May 11, 1990 |title=Concert line: 2 bands with an Ohio connection at Cabaret Metro |work=Chicago Tribune |id={{ProQuest|1466923962}}}}
  • {{Cite magazine |last=Holley |first=Debbie |date=1988-10-29 |title=Audio Track |url=https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Billboard/80s/1988/BB-1988-10-29.pdf |magazine=Billboard |page=40 |via=worldradiohistory.com |volume=100 |issue=44}}
  • {{Cite book |last=Hurachulla |first=George |url=https://archive.org/details/Going_Underground_9781629632421/page/n333/ |title=Going Underground: American Punk 1979-1989 |year=2016 |isbn=9781629631134 |pages=334–336 |via=Internet Archive}}
  • {{Cite magazine |last=Jennings |first=Dave |date=October 9, 1993 |title=Velvet Overground |magazine=Melody Maker |publisher=IPC |page=29 |volume=69 |issue=41}}
  • {{cite book |last1=Larkin |first1=Colin |author-link=Colin Larkin |title=The Encyclopedia of Popular Music |date=2006 |publisher=MUZE |isbn=978-0-19-531373-4 |volume=7 |page=315 |chapter=Scrawl |chapter-url=https://archive.org/details/encyclopediaofpo0007unse/page/315/ |via=Internet Archive}}
  • {{Cite news |last1=Lobinger |first1=John |last2=Ferris |first2=Fred |date=1986-04-10 |title=Nowhere '85 showcases hometown funk talent |url=https://osupublicationarchives.osu.edu/?a=d&d=LTN19860410-01.1.22&e=-------en-20--1--txt-txIN------- |work=The Lantern |page=7 |type=Oasis |via=Ohio State University Library Archives}}
  • {{Cite news |last=MacInnis |first=Craig |date=May 19, 1989 |title=Sound of Scrawl best deciphered on vinyl |work=Toronto Star |page=D15 |id={{ProQuest|435932115}}}}
  • {{Cite magazine |last=Madam X |date=May 23, 1990 |title=The Girls Next Door |url=https://archive.org/details/outweek/OutWeek%2047/page/n67/ |magazine=OutWeek |pages=69, 73 |issue=47}}
  • {{Cite news |last=Malsey |first=Ed |date=1998-05-15 |title=Another Chapter |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=G4RIAAAAIBAJ&pg=PA103 |work=Pittsburgh Post-Gazette |page=26 |type=Weekend Mag}}
  • {{Cite magazine |last=McDonnell |first=Evelyn |author-link=Evelyn McDonnell |date=September 1999 |title=54: Bikini Kill Bikini Kill EP (Kill Rock Stars, 1992) {{!}} The 90 Greatest Albums of the '90s |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=bGjsvmNt8UgC&dq=scrawl+band&pg=PA146 |magazine=Spin |page=146 |volume=15 |issue=9}}
  • {{Cite news |last=Myers |first=Melissa |date=1989-10-05 |title=Scrawl ready to record the third album |url=https://osupublicationarchives.osu.edu/?a=d&d=LTN19891005-01.2.102&srpos=1&e=-------en-20--1--txt-txIN-Scrawl------# |work=The Lantern |page=8 |type=Oasis |via=Ohio State University Library Archives}}
  • {{Cite magazine |last=Reece |first=Doug |date=1996-10-19 |title=Popular Uprisings: Roadwork |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=yQkEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA24 |magazine=Billboard |page=24 |volume=108 |issue=42}}
  • {{Cite book |last=Robbins |first=Ira |url=https://archive.org/details/trouserpressguid00robb/page/628/ |title=The Trouser Press Guide to '90s Rock |publisher=Simon & Schuster |year=1997 |isbn=978-0684814377 |pages=628–629 |chapter=Scrawl |chapter-url=https://trouserpress.com/reviews/scrawl/ |url-access=limited |via=Internet Archive}}
  • {{Cite news |last=Schieber |first=Curtis |date=March 18, 2000 |title=Solid Scrawl Celebrates Its Time Together |work=Columbus Dispatch |page=4H |id={{ProQuest|394401616}}}}
  • {{Cite book |last=Strong |first=Martin C. |author-link=Martin C. Strong |title=The Great Alternative & Indie Discography |publisher=Canongate Books Ltd |year=1999 |isbn=9780862419134 |page=544 |chapter=Scrawl |chapter-url=https://archive.org/details/greatalternative0000stro/page/544/mode/2up |via=Internet Archive}}
  • {{Cite news |last=Sullivan |first=Caroline |date=May 14, 1993 |title=Pop/Rock: Sugar with spice |work=The Guardian |id={{ProQuest|293402178}}}}
  • {{Cite magazine |last=Thompson |first=Ben |date=July 1993 |title=Sound Check |url=https://archive.org/details/the-wire-magazine-1993-07-cbz/page/n66/ |magazine=The Wire |pages=65–66 |via=Internet Archive |issue=113 |issn=0952-0686}}

Further reading

  • {{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9D_qavvyOS4 |title=Scrawl (Live on WNYU + Interview 1989) |date= |last=Anon. |type=Radio broadcast |publisher=WNYU-FM |year=1989 |orig-date=Published June 24, 2021 |access-date=2024-10-04 |via=YouTube}}
  • {{Cite news |last=DiFrangia |first=Diane |date=October 3, 1996 |title=Experience Paying Off: Columbus' Scrawl Enjoying Major-Label Success at Last |work=Cleveland Scene |page=15 |volume=27 |issue=40 |jstor=community.32630365}}

External links

  • [http://www.myspace.com/sueharshe Sue Harshe's MySpace page]

{{Authority control}}

Category:American all-female bands

Category:Musical groups from Columbus, Ohio

Category:Proto-riot grrrl bands

Category:Musical groups established in 1985

Category:Elektra Records artists

Category:Rough Trade Records artists