MEMORIES:
I knew I could regain my sight…
…and it feels alright…” – “Naked Eye”
Using a mix of sounds, from Spanish guitars to hip hop beats, jazzy keyboards and deep vocals, Luscious Jackson created a dark and rich hip-hop infused alternative rock sound that would become their trademark. Knowing no boundaries, they took their influences freely, gaining them a cult following and making fans of the critics.
The core of Luscious Jackson met as teens on the post-punk scene in New York City during the early 80s. Kate Schellenbach was the drummer for the earlier incarnation of the Beastie Boys, and met Jill Cunniff when Cunniff interviewed the Beasties for her fanzine, The Decline of Art. Gabby Glaser and the other two would start hanging out, seeing shows together, listening to everything from hardcore to reggae to hip-hop to post-punk. After graduating from high school, they went their separate ways. Schellenbach stayed in the cities, drumming for various bands while going through college, and Cunniff and Glaser went to San Francisco, California where they attended art school and played in a punk band called Jaws.
In 1991, Cunnff and Glaser came back to New York City and began writing songs together. They got in touch with Schellenbach again, and recruited her, as well as another of Jill’s friends, Vivian Trimble, forming what would become Luscious Jackson. The girls took their name from a 60s basketball player for the Philadelphia 76ers. The following year, the group released In Search of Manny on the Beastie Boys’ record label, Grand Royal. The EP got great reviews and the group got a lot of buzz in alternative rock circles.
Their first full-length album, Natural Ingredients was released a couple of years later to positive reviews. “City Song” became a modern rock hit during the fall. Before releasing the album, at the suggestion of the Beastie Boys, Luscious Jackson spent the summer on the second stage of the Lollapalloza tour. After releasing Natural Ingredients the group spent much of 1995 on the road, including opening for R.E.M. on their Monster tour.
Their third album, Fever In Fever out, came out in the fall of 1996. On the strength of the lead single “Naked Eye” Luscious Jackson picked up a larger fan base and got significant alternative radio airplay. In 1998, Trimble left the band to pursue a solo career and other project. They carried on as a trio, releasing Electric Honey in 1999 before officially disbanding in 2000. In 2006, Luscious Jackson announced plans to reunite, as well releasing a greatest hits package, and recording new material. No matter the result, the music world and their fans everywhere can appreciate their unique contribution to music.
