Buried Treasure: Walt Mink
June 26th, 2008 | 9:05 am est |
During 1991-92, the Caroline label released a pair of excellent debuts — hard-rocking but hooky records with whiny-voiced but guitar-gifted frontmen. Each of them showed how Generation X had digested the independent ethos of ’70s punk as well as a good deal of that decade’s hard-rock pyrotechnics.
One of those groups went on to sell millions of records and top the charts, then quickly flame out artistically (and otherwise) when its lead singer started pulling glittery “Zero” t-shirts over his shaved-bald head. (Have a guess yet?) The other went on to virtually nothing — not even a measly parking-lot stage at Lollapalooza.
One of those records was, of course, Smashing Pumpkins‘ Gish. The other was an excellent buried treasure, Walt Mink’s Miss Happiness.
From listening to both, you’d be tempted to predict Walt Mink for success. While Smashing Pumpkins seemed trapped in a hazy psychedelia, Walt Mink was positively wired, with smart hooks and radiating energy — the best of power-pop and punk in one.
Unfortunately, the band hasn’t been active for years (check their website), although a few fans still keep the message board from descending into endless pharma-spams. Also, check out this link for details on an attempt to do Walt Mink justice with a film documentary.
As for the music, Miss Happiness fetches upwards of $7.88 on eBay, so it’s still attainable.
- “Miss Happiness”
- “Love You Better”
- “Pink Moon”
great album
great band
their others were good, but this is the best. amazing cover of nick drake’s pink moon
semi celebrity claims:
drummer is son of a WB exec
singer/guitarist son of charles kimbrough (murphy brown)
John,
Thanks for mentioning the film. I’m currently fundraising, recruiting investors for my LLC and looking to quit the day job to work full-time on finishing the film. It’s been on hold one year due to these efforts.
I’ll update my site and ping back to you.
Thanks,
Butler
> drummer is son of a WB exec
Yes, Joey Waronker is the son of the legendary Warner Bros. executive Lenny — he’s also Beck’s drummer.
Walt Mink started at Macalester College - as anyone who went there during that time (like myself) can attest, Walt Mink was also one of the best live acts of that era - be it on stage at First Avenue, outside at Springfest, or in the basement of a keg party on Selby Ave….
back in the 90’s i worked at schoolkids records in ann arbor and one day this older bearded guy with white hair came in announcing to all “I’m Walt Mink!” “I’m Walt Mink!” turns out, he was. he actually produced his drivers license as proof. i don’t remember why he was in town if he told us. seemed like a very cool guy, though. you could see why the kids wanted to honor him, and he seemed pretty tickled about the whole thing in return.
they were a fun band.
I love that story about Walt the best. That is awesome.
A Pitchfork 10/10 band if I’m not mistaken?