Split Lip was probably the most important
emotionally tinged hardcore band to emerge from the Midwest. Alongside
Endpoint, Split Lip helped prove to an international audience that a
band could effectively combine the chunky thrash of the coastal
straight-edge hardcore scenes with the warm emotional depth of certain,
more popular music, emotive drive, and political slant of D.C. bands
like Embrace. Split Lip's songs were mosh-pit inducing, yet often
elicited tears and scream-along empathy from audiences. The band formed
in the Indianapolis suburb of Carmel, IN, in 1990, with vocalist Steve
Dujinske, guitarist Clayton Snyder, bassist Curtis Mead, and drummer
Charlie Walker. They recorded a poorly circulated demo, but didn't
really get moving until vocalist David Moore and lead guitarist Adam
Rubenstein came aboard. Still in their teens, this lineup crafted
heartfelt, chunky hardcore songs addressing political and personal
issues, making a demo tape and then signing to Toledo, OH-based label
Doghouse Records. They released their Soul Kill 7" single in 1992 --
complete with an essay that was heavily critical of Christopher
Columbus, in commemoration of the 500-year anniversary of the
"discovery" of the "new world." In 1994, the band debuted their first
full-length album, For the Love of the Wounded, which blended the guitar
dexterity of Metallica with the passionate, affected vocal approach of
David Moore and his increasingly more poetic lyrics, which set them
apart from the pack. It is perhaps the definitive record of the emocore
genre. The band grew in popularity, becoming a headlining act at Ohio's
More Than Music Festival and touring with the likes of Samuel, Shift,
and Colossus of the Fall. Split Lip released their second album, Fate's
Got a Driver, in 1995, just before deciding to change their name to
Chamberlain. The album signaled the gradual change of the band into a
more roots rock-inflected, radio-oriented outfit. Split Lip's second
album was remixed (with the vocals re-recorded) and re-released under
the new moniker. The final Split Lip release was called Archived Music
for Stubborn People: Songs You May or May Not Have Heard Before and was
delivered to fans in 1996. It is a collection of rare and hard to find
tracks, including a compilation appearance, the out-of-print 7" single,
three live songs, and three covers. The cover versions are of songs
originally recorded by Midnight Oil (featuring Ashes vocalist Elanie
Ritchie as a guest), Operation Ivy (complete with longtime roadie Matt
Reece handling a verse) and Three. Former guitarist Adam Rubenstein's
post-Chamberlain work includes material released under the name Adam
Dove alongside members of Old Pike. Drummer Charlie Walker went on to
make music with Sergio Vega, the Americans, and New End Original.
Tracklist
