Sunset Valley

You could be forgiven if you've never heard of Sunset Valley. But if you haven't, you certainly weren't paying attention to underground rock in the Pacific Northwest in the late '90s. Back then, Sunset Valley was regularly blowing minds and dropping jaws all along the west coast and was supposed to be the "next big thing" out of Portland, destined for greatness.

Formed in Portland, Oregon in September of 1996; originally a trio comprising frontman Herman Jolly, guitarist/drummer Jonathan Drews and bassist Eric Furlong, the group later expanded to a five-piece with the additions of keyboardist Jeff Saltzman and ex-Heatmiser drummer Tony Lash. They wrote infectious, crazy pop ditties, where the songs' ability to get stuck in your head was only the surface of their power. Ethereal and psychedelic, Sunset Valley's sonic palette — keyboard washes, guitar jangle, and vocals that both sneer and recall the best of the lo-fi indie rock onslaught — keeps the music buoyant above the receding floor of reality.