Strawberry

Chuck Cleaver (formerly of Cincinnati's Ass Ponys) and Lisa Walker began playing together in 2001 as a result of Cleaver's stage fright when asked to perform a brief run of solo shows. The duo's ¬rst performance was largely unplanned, and yet went without incident... so they agreed to continue and expand. Mark Messerly came on board in 2002 as bassist and utility man, with Dawn Burman joining on drums shortly thereafter. Joe Klug was added as drummer and multi-instrumentalist after Burman's departure in early 2009. The four-piece has released several albums and EP's on their native Cincinnati's Shake It label. Wussy is known for its use of "an army of alternately droning and jangling guitars" (Uncut/UK) to o-set the traditional three-minute pop format. Lyrics are typically split evenly between Cleaver and Walker. Wussy releases its fourth full-length, Strawberry, in November 2011. Recorded and mixed by John Curley (Afghan Whigs) at Cincinnati's Ultrasuede Studios, Strawberry marks a decided turn in trajectory for the band. The ¬rst with Klug as drummer and co-producer, this album places greater emphasis on song structure and arrangement than previous efforts - while still holding fast to the band's signature midwestern drone. The end result is their most cohesive release to-date, with an underpinning of churning guitars acting as the rudder of the small but mighty Wussy vessel.