Surgery was an American noise rock band formed in 1987 by Scott Kleber, John Lachapelle, John Leamy and Sean McDonnell in Syracuse, New York, and released two full-length albums and two EPs before ending with the sudden death of singer Sean McDonnell.
Surgery was formed at Syracuse University in 1987. They released their debut EP "Souleater" on the short-lived Circuit Records in 1989 before releasing their full length debut Nationwide through Amphetamine Reptile, a label known for its noisy, abrasive acts, in 1990. The band released the EP Trim, 9th Ward High Roller in 1993, which presented tighter musicianship coupled more straightforward approach to their sound. With the help of Kim Gordon, Trim found its way into the hands of Atlantic Records, who liked the band enough to sign them to the label. Through Atlantic, the band released their second album Shimmer in 1994 with the intention of touring extensively to broaden their fan base.
On January 7, 1995, McDonnell suffered a severe asthma attack and went into a comatose state. He was admitted to Brooklyn Hospital and died four days later. Tom Hazelmyer, founder of Amphetamine Reptile Records and a close friend of McDonnell, felt that his excessive partying and active nightlife had contributed to his death. Feeling unable to continue, the remaining members of Surgery decided to part ways.
Links to Peel[]
Peel discovered the band via the Amphetamine Reptile label in March 1990 when he played a track from their 'Souleater' EP. Further material from the group were played on his radio programmes, including a session they recorded for his show in 1991.
According to Ken Garner's The Peel Sessions book, the band left a note at the session mentioning:
"Dear John Peel, thanks for the opportunity to record in the excellent BBC studios. Mike, the engineer/producer/magician, treated us like kings, sincerely, Surgery"
Sessions[]
Surgery - Peel Session 1991
1. Recorded: 1991-05-28. First Broadcast: 23 June 1991. Repeated: 28 September 1991
- D Nice / Dear Sweet Laura / Brazier / Locust
Other Shows Played[]
- 1990
- 26 March 1990: Brazier (12" - Souleater) Glitterhouse
- 17 July 1990: 'Feedback (7 inch)' (Amphetamine Reptile)
- 27 October 1990: Highway 109 (LP - Nationwide) Amphetamine Reptile
- 28 October 1990: 'L7 (LP-Nationwide)' (Amphetamine Reptile/Glitterhouse)
- 04 November 1990: Do It To It Dynamo (LP - Nationwide) Amphetamine Reptile
- 05 November 1990 (BBC World Service): Highway 109 (LP - Nationwide) Amphetamine Reptile
- 24 November 1990: Losida Slide (v/a 6 x 7" Box Set - Endangered Species) Glitterhouse
- 25 November 1990: Breeding (LP - Nationwide) Amphetamine Reptile
- 16 December 1990: Highway 109 (LP - Nationwide) Amphetamine Reptile
- 1992
- 24 April 1992: Little Debbie (7 inch) Amphetamine Reptile
- 03 May 1992 (BFBS): Little Debbie (7") Amphetamine Reptile
- 08 May 1992: Little Debbie (7") Amphetamine Reptile
- 30 May 1992 (BFBS): D Nice (v/a mini-album - Amphetamine Reptile • Peel Sessions) Strange Fruit