# Garbage

> American rock band

**Wikidata**: [Q485673](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q485673)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Garbage_(band))  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/garbage-q485673

## Summary
Garbage is an American rock band formed in 1993, known for blending alternative rock, electronic, and pop influences. The band gained international prominence in the 1990s with hits like "Stupid Girl" and "#1 Crush" and is fronted by Scottish singer Shirley Manson.

## Key Facts
- **Founded**: 1993
- **Origin**: Madison, Wisconsin, United States
- **Genre**: Alternative rock, electronic rock, pop rock
- **Lead Vocalist**: Shirley Manson (Scottish, previously of Angelfish and Goodbye Mr. Mackenzie)
- **Founding Members**: Butch Vig (producer/musician), Duke Erikson, Steve Marker, Matt Chamberlain
- **Record Labels**: Radioactive Records, Mushroom Records (Australia)
- **Notable Albums**: *Garbage* (1995), *Version 2.0* (1998), *Beautiful Garbage* (2001)
- **Website**: [http://www.garbage.com/](http://www.garbage.com/)
- **Wikipedia Title**: Garbage (band)
- **Work Period Start**: 1993
- **Sitelink Count**: 57
- **Wikidata Description**: American rock band
- **Notable For**: Helping define 1990s alternative rock sound; international chart success; genre-blending music

## FAQs
**What is Garbage known for?**  
Garbage is known for its innovative blend of alternative rock, electronic, and pop music, achieving international fame in the 1990s. The band is recognized for hits like "Stupid Girl," "Only Happy When It Rains," and "#1 Crush."

**Who are the members of Garbage?**  
The band includes Scottish lead vocalist Shirley Manson and American founding members Butch Vig (producer), Duke Erikson, Steve Marker, and Matt Chamberlain. Manson joined the band in 1994 after being recruited by the core American musicians.

**What record labels has Garbage worked with?**  
Garbage has released music through major labels such as Radioactive Records in the United States and Mushroom Records in Australia.

**What genres does Garbage represent?**  
Garbage's music spans alternative rock, electronic rock, and pop rock, combining traditional rock instrumentation with electronic production techniques.

**Where was Garbage formed and when?**  
Garbage was formed in 1993 in Madison, Wisconsin, United States.

## Why It Matters
Garbage matters for its role in shaping the sound of 1990s alternative rock through a unique fusion of rock, electronic, and pop elements. Their international success helped elevate the visibility of female-fronted rock bands and demonstrated how electronic production could be integrated into guitar-driven music. Shirley Manson's powerful vocals and charismatic presence brought a distinctive identity to the band, influencing a generation of musicians and contributing to the broader evolution of rock music during a pivotal era.

## Notable For
- Pioneering a genre-blending sound that fuses rock, electronic, and pop music
- Achieving international chart success with debut album *Garbage* (1995)
- Being fronted by Scottish singer Shirley Manson, who became an icon in alternative rock
- Releasing multiple platinum-selling albums in the late 1990s and early 2000s
- Collaborating with major record labels including Radioactive Records and Mushroom Records
- Originating in Madison, Wisconsin, a state notable for its contributions to American music
- Featuring Grammy-winning producer Butch Vig as a core member
- Influencing the direction of alternative rock and pop music in the mid-1990s
- Incorporating feminist themes and strong female presence in a male-dominated genre
- Maintaining a consistent creative output with albums like *Version 2.0* and *Beautiful Garbage*

## Body

### History
Garbage was formed in 1993 in Madison, Wisconsin, by American musicians and producers Butch Vig, Duke Erikson, Steve Marker, and Matt Chamberlain. The band’s formation was rooted in the alternative rock scene, with founding members seeking a lead vocalist to front their project. In 1994, they recruited Scottish singer Shirley Manson, formerly of the bands Angelfish and Goodbye Mr. Mackenzie, to become the band’s frontwoman. This marked the beginning of Garbage’s rise to international prominence.

### Musical Style and Genre
Garbage is known for its innovative blend of alternative rock, electronic, and pop music. The band’s sound is characterized by layered production techniques, combining traditional rock instrumentation with synthesizers, drum machines, and digital effects. This genre-blending approach helped define the sound of 1990s alternative rock and influenced a generation of musicians.

### Key Members
- **Shirley Manson**: Lead vocalist and frontwoman, joined in 1994. Previously a member of Scottish bands Angelfish and Goodbye Mr. Mackenzie. Known for her powerful voice and dynamic stage presence.
- **Butch Vig**: American musician and Grammy-winning producer, one of the founding members. Known for his work in shaping the band’s sonic identity.
- **Duke Erikson**: Guitarist and multi-instrumentalist, founding member.
- **Steve Marker**: Guitarist and multi-instrumentalist, founding member.
- **Matt Chamberlain**: Drummer, founding member.

### Record Labels and Releases
Garbage has released music through several major labels:
- **Radioactive Records**: An American label known for promoting alternative and rock artists.
- **Mushroom Records**: An Australian label that distributed some of the band’s early work.

The band’s discography includes:
- *Garbage* (1995) – Debut album, critically acclaimed and commercially successful.
- *Version 2.0* (1998) – Follow-up that solidified their international presence.
- *Beautiful Garbage* (2001) – Further exploration of pop and electronic influences.

### Notable Songs
- "Stupid Girl"
- "Only Happy When It Rains"
- "#1 Crush"
These tracks helped establish Garbage as a defining act of 1990s alternative rock and gained significant radio and MTV play.

### Origin and Formation Context
Garbage was formed in Madison, Wisconsin, a city known for its vibrant music scene and as the home of other notable acts like Violent Femmes. The band’s inception was driven by a group of experienced American musicians seeking to create a new kind of rock band with a strong visual and sonic identity.

### Influence and Legacy
Garbage’s influence extends beyond music into fashion and media. Shirley Manson’s image and voice became synonymous with the band’s aesthetic, and their music videos received heavy rotation on MTV. The band’s genre-blending approach influenced numerous artists and contributed to the evolution of alternative rock into the 2000s.

### Related Entities
- **Angelfish**: A Scottish alternative rock band fronted by Shirley Manson before Garbage.
- **Goodbye Mr. Mackenzie**: Another Scottish band Manson was part of prior to joining Garbage.
- **Violent Femmes**: A notable Wisconsin-based band, highlighting the state’s musical legacy.
- **Evanescence**: Another American rock band with female lead vocals, sharing thematic and stylistic parallels.

### Wisconsin’s Role in Music
Wisconsin, particularly Madison, is significant not only as Garbage’s origin but also as a hub for American rock music. The state’s contributions include bands like Violent Femmes and is known for its strong cultural and educational institutions that support the arts.

### Shirley Manson’s Broader Career
Beyond Garbage, Shirley Manson has pursued acting, including a recurring role on the television series *Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles*. She has also been an advocate for gender equality in rock music and continues to inspire new generations of artists.

### Ongoing Relevance
Garbage remains active, continuing to tour and release music, maintaining relevance in the alternative rock scene. Their legacy is preserved through their influential recordings and the enduring popularity of their lead vocalist, Shirley Manson.

## References

1. MusicBrainz
2. BnF authorities
3. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
4. Czech National Authority Database
5. [Source](http://www.rockonthenet.com/grammy/newartist.htm)
6. BBC Things
7. Google Knowledge Graph
8. Discogs
9. The Guardian
10. Genius
11. YouTube API