Slint

Slint were an American rock band from Louisville, Kentucky, formed in 1986 by singer/guitarist Brian McMahan and drummer Britt Walford, who had previously played together in the punk band Squirrel Bait. Guitarist David Pajo and bassist Ethan Buckler rounded out the lineup, and the band took its name from one of Walford's pet fish.

Their debut album, «Tweez», recorded with Steve Albini, showcased a raw, dissonant sound, but it was their second and final album, «Spiderland» (1991), that became one of the most influential records in underground rock. Combining the intensity of hardcore punk with the intricate structures of math rock and the brooding atmosphere later associated with post-rock, songs like «Good Morning, Captain» and «Breadcrumb Trail» paired McMahan's quiet, spoken-word-like vocals with sudden bursts of tension and release.

Despite minimal commercial success at the time and the band's breakup shortly after «Spiderland»'s release, Slint's music went on to shape entire generations of indie, post-rock, and emo artists. Members went on to notable projects, including Pajo's work with Tortoise and Papa M, cementing Slint's legacy as a quietly foundational act in American underground music.