Two minutes of sparse, angular, catchy punk pop: Elastica's first single, 'Stutter', had such an impact that John Peel chose it as one of the seminal singles of 1993. Elastica were formed by Justine Frischmann (vocals, guitar) in 1991 after leaving Suede, recruiting Justin Welch (drums), Annie Holland (bass) and Donna Matthews (guitar). Elastica's fame grew throughout 1994 (helped along by tabloid interest in Frischmann's relationship with Blur's Damon Albarn), and their eponymous debut LP reached #1 in 1995. With three singles ('Line Up', 'Connection' and 'Waking Up') making it into the Top 20, 'Elastica' was seen as a defining record of the Britpop era - perhaps too much so, since they seemed incapable of recording a follow-up. Rumoured heroin abuse and good old 'personal difficulties' dogged the band for the next few years before the release of a six track EP and an album 'The Menace' in 1999. Sales were disappointing and, shortly after, Elastica disbanded.
