Semisonic Biography

Semisonic is an alternative rock band formed in Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA. Band members are Dan Wilson (guitar/vocals), John Munson (bass), and Jacob Slichter (drums).

After the breakup of Trip Shakespeare, Dan Wilson and John Munson joined up with drummer Jacob "Jake" Slichter to form Semisonic in 1995. An EP, Pleasure, was released that year and the studio full-length Great Divide in 1996 on MCA.

Semisonic's breakthrough came two years later in 1998 when their sophomore effort, Feeling Strangely Fine, reached the Top 50 chart on the strength of the hit single "Closing Time".

Their international career also blossomed when another song from the album, "Secret Smile," quickly became a UK radio favourite in the summer of 1999, eventually peaking at #13 on the official UK Singles Chart.

In early 2001, the band released its third album, All About Chemistry. The single "Chemistry" was a mainstay overseas; however, the album didn't fare as well in the United States. Another song, "Over My Head," was used in the 2001 teen flick Summer Catch, and Semisonic rode the wave of various tours in and around the UK. In the fall of 2001, Semisonic contributed their cover of the Wings classic, "Jet," for the Paul McCartney tribute CD, Listen to What the Man Said.

Although not officially broken up, Semisonic has been put on hold since 2001 as band members pursue other projects, such as Slichter's writing career and Wilson's solo recordings. They performed for the first time in years on July 14, 2006 for the Minneapolis Aquatennial. They have also been spotted performing for private parties in basements.

Dan Wilson took time out to do some solo projects and play tour dates around the Midwest in December. Munson joined up with Wilson's brother and former Trip Shakespeare frontman Matt Wilson to form a side project, The Flops, in 2001, though they are expected to make a final performance in early 2005. Dan Wilson is also releasing a new CD in Spring 2006 featuring collaborations with many other artists.

In 2004, Jacob Slichter's book So You Wanna Be a Rock & Roll Star (ISBN 0-7679-1470-8) was published, detailing some of the experiences the group had while touring and attempting to get airplay on radio stations across the US.

In 1998, Semisonic's hit song "Closing Time" was featured on the charitable album, Live in the X Lounge as a live performance.