Pavement

USA, 1989–1999

California band led by Stephen Malkmus and Scott Kannberg, formed in Stockton in 1989 — the defining act of American 1990s lo-fi/indie rock. Built on cheap recordings, oblique wit and ragged melody (Slanted and Enchanted, 'Cut Your Hair'), they took The Fall's clatter and Swell Maps' DIY into a wry, hugely influential slacker sound.

MusicRoots documents 4 artists who influenced Pavement and 0 artists Pavement influenced in turn. Every connection cites a published source.

Who influenced Pavement?

• The Fall — The Fall are Pavement's foundational influence — Malkmus said the early sound came from a scene where 'some big brother was saying, you need to be into the Fall', and named them among his key touchstones.
• Swell Maps — Swell Maps' DIY post-punk is stamped across Pavement's early records — cited by both Malkmus and Kannberg.
• Sonic Youth — Sonic Youth's dissonant, exploratory indie guitar rock was a direct model and mentor for Pavement, who have discussed what they learned from them.
• R.E.M. — R.E.M.'s jangly, melodic college rock is among the acts Pavement have cited as an influence on their songcraft.