Truly
| Truly | |
|---|---|
| Origin | Seattle, Washington, United States |
| Genres | Grunge, psychedelic rock, alternative rock |
| Years active | 1990–1998 (hiatus), 2000, 2008–present |
| Labels | Sub Pop, Capitol, Thick, Flotation |
| Associated acts | Screaming Trees, Soundgarden, Storybook Krooks |
| Members |
Robert Roth Mark Pickerel Hiro Yamamoto |
| Past members | Chris Quinn |
Truly is an American rock band formed in the wake of the grunge era. It featured singer-guitarist Robert Roth, bassist Hiro Yamamoto, and drummer Mark Pickerel. Yamamoto and Pickerel were founding members respectively of Soundgarden and Screaming Trees. While not a commercially successful group like some of their Seattle contemporaries, the band lasted a decade with two studio albums to their name.
Following the demise of his previous band The Storybook Krooks, Robert Roth auditioned to play guitar for Nirvana but they ultimately decided to continue as a trio. A month later, Roth says he met up with Pickerel as he (Roth) was beginning to write new songs for what would become his signature venture:
After Pickerel joined, Roth claims that Quinn insisted on switching to guitar, which led to an opening for a bass player. Pickerel then contacted Yamamoto, who reflects:
Truly released their debut EP, Heart and Lungs, through Sub Pop in 1991. This is the only recording that the band did as a quartet as Chris Quinn left shortly thereafter. Roth later commented that he and Quinn did not get along that well, saying, "I’m more of an intuitive type, he’s more a studied type." Truly also played on the side stage at Lollapalooza in 1992.
In 1993, Truly signed on to Capitol Records and two years later released their critically acclaimed album Fast Stories... from Kid Coma. Steve Kurutz of Allmusic gave the album four and a half stars, calling it "a loosely based concept album filled with overdriven guitar and the soothing yet slightly menacing voice of singer Robert Roth." The track "Hot Summer 1991" is also featured on the compilation album Subject to Change: Artists for a Hate-Free America'. Robert Roth has deemed Fast Stories…from Kid Coma his favorite, saying:
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