Artist:Everclear
Song:Wonderful
Album:Ten Years Gone: The Best of Everclear 1994-2004
Everclear was a successful album and touring band when they were on Capitol Records from 1995-2003. The 2000 single Wonderful was their biggest chart hit and their signature song. The band is still around but well past their prime. Everclear is from Portland led by lead singer, guitarist and songwriter Art Alexakis. Alexakis was born Apr. 12, 1962 in Los Angeles. He had a troubled childhood after his father left the family. Alexakis was a drug addict as a teen. His brother died of an overdose. Then his girlfriend committed suicide. Alexakis tried to commit suicide by jumping off the Santa Monica Pier but a vision of his brother changed his mind. He quit drugs cold turkey in 1989 and took film classes at Los Angeles Community College. Then he got into music and moved to Portland in 1992. He placed an ad in a local paper and formed Everclear with bassist bassist Craig Montoya and drummer Scott Cuthbert. Everclear is grain alcohol. They released a couple of EPs and signed with Capitol in 1994. Cuthbert was replaced by Gregg Eklund. Everclear released their debut album Sparkle and Fade in 1995. Most of their success was through alternative radio airplay and MTV playing their videos. Because many of Alexakis' songs have drug references, Everclear was frequently compared to Nirvana. Alexakis produced Sparkle and Fade. It was certified Platinum. When Alexakis wasn't happy with the follow up album, veteran producers Neal Avron and Lars Fox were brought in and they worked on the next few albums. After the success of the 1996 album So Much for the Afterglow, Alexakis recorded a solo album which turned into the 2000 album American Movie Vol. 1: Learning How To Smile. The album was again certified Platinum and the single Wonderful reached #11 on the Billboard Hot 100. Alexakis felt he had enough songs that he could release another album quickly. So Songs from An American Movie: Good Time for a Bad Attitude was released four months after Vol. 1. It turned out to be not a good idea as that album didn't sell. And it led to Montoya and Eklund leaving Everclear and Everclear leaving Capitol in 2014. That's when this comp was released. Since then Alexakis continues to lead Everclear and record for smaller labels They last released an album in 2015. So Everclear is now a 90s nostalgia act. And with that in mind, Alexakis started the Summerland Tour featuring Everclear and other 90s bands. The most recent tour was in 2021 but I would not be surprised if Alexakis revived it now that the pandemic is over. Here's the video for Wonderful by Everclear.
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