Guv'ner

The angular indie rock trio Guv'ner formed in 1993 as an outgrowth of the romance between singer/guitarist Charles Gansa and singer/bassist Pumpkin Wentzel. After the couple moved to New York City, Wentzel gave a demo tape of the group's off-kilter pop to Pussy Galore/Free Kitten member Julia Cafritz, whom she had known since elementary school; Cafritz subsequently passed the tape to Sonic Youth's Thurston Moore, who ultimately issued Guv'ner's debut Hard for Measy for You on his Ecstatic Peace label. Following the addition of full-time drummer Danny Tunick, Guv'ner signed to Merge Records, which released the group's sophomore effort The Hunt -- co-produced by Cafritz and Gumball's Don Fleming -- in 1996. Spectral Worship followed two years later. ~ Jason Ankeny, All Music Guide