Photo by Drew Reynolds

The kids, they love them some Pinback. Me? Not so much. But, while I give the entity of Pinback a solid “meh,” I do adore their members other projects.

You see, in San Diego music history (this is important to learn since the city will be little more than a smoldering pile of ashes in a few days), three of the most storied bands from the ’90s (Three Mile Pilot, Boilermaker and Heavy Vegetable) were all building blocks toward the formation of Pinback.

Three Mile Pilot split evenly in two, forming the morose Black Heart Procession while the quirky rhythm section moved on to create Pinback. TMP were the kings of San Diego underground music, known for their rare, but always amazing, live shows, inventive song structure and unique album packaging (sewn burlap sacks for record sleeves, propeller-shaped vinyl, etc).
Number of members currently, or formerly, in Pinback: 2
MP3: Three Mile Pilot - Kill The Racehorse

Heavy Vegetable was one of many projects from Rob Crow, the frighteningly prolific singer who now pays his bills via his work in Pinback. Much like their later incarnation, Thingy, HV were not quite like any other band of that era, as they reflected the odd and confusing personality of Crow.
Number of members currently, or formerly, in Pinback: 1
MP3: Heavy Vegetable - Listen to This Song, Kill Pigs, and Try to Sue Me

Then there was Boilermaker. Criminally underrated, this bass-heavy trio led by Terrin Durfey paved the way for a generation of modern day emo bands (back when that wasn’t a bad word) who borrow liberally from their introspective sound. Meanwhile Durfey has battled cancer on and off for the past few years and is currently undergoing Chemotherapy treatments while on tour with Pinback.
Number of members currently, or formerly, in Pinback: 1
MP3: Boilermaker - Slow Down

For more information on San Diego music, please consult your local library.

Pinback performs tonight at the Roseland Theater.