Superchic[k]

    Superchic[k]

    Chicago, Illinois7 reviews across 3 releases

    dance rockpop punkpop rockpunk
    Discogs

    Superchick was a Chicago Christian rock band formed in 1999 around Max Hsu, and its early work treated youth-oriented pop as a vehicle for explicit religious instruction. The 2001 debut Karaoke Superstars combined pop-punk guitars with hip-hop and disco-funk touches, retaining the looseness of a garage band while relying on highly singable choruses. Last One Picked kept the pop-punk base but gave it a harder edge, more humor, and room for quieter writing, including a piano ballad and a slower acoustic number. By Beauty from Pain in 2005, the band had moved further toward rock without abandoning pop or hip-hop. Its defining contrast was already clear: comic encouragement in "Bowling Ball" sat beside songs about eating disorders and self-esteem, as well as grief.

    Melissa Brock left in 2011, after more than a decade as the band's guitarist and vocalist. Drummers changed repeatedly during the group's run, with Brandon Estelle serving during the Beauty from Pain period before later departures brought Chase Lovelace into the lineup. Lovelace died of bile duct cancer in May 2013. Superchick announced its breakup later that year, citing members' separate work; the circumstances also shaped Recollection, a final release assembled with five new tracks involving Lovelace. The band's members then pursued separate projects, including Tricia Brock's solo work and Dave Ghazarian's touring with Audio Adrenaline. Superchick performed once more in 2016 at Lifest, with returning members joined by Andy Vegas and Brandon Estelle.

    3 releases reviewed