Semisonic
Biography
Semisonic is an American rock band that formed in Minneapolis, Minnesota in 1995. The band consists of Dan Wilson on lead vocals and guitar, John Munson on bass, and Jacob Slichter on drums. Wilson and Munson were originally members of the alternative rock band Trip Shakespeare. After that band broke up, they teamed up with Slichter to form Semisonic.
Career
The band released their debut EP, Pleasure, in 1995. Their first full-length album, Great Divide, was released in 1996 and gained them a cult following. However, it was their sophomore album, Feeling Strangely Fine, in 1998 that brought them mainstream success. The album featured the hit single "Closing Time," which reached number one on the Modern Rock Tracks chart in the U.S. and earned a Grammy nomination for Best Rock Song. Another single from the album, "Secret Smile," became a radio hit in the United Kingdom.
The band's third album, All About Chemistry, was released in 2001. While the single "Chemistry" found success overseas, the album did not perform as well in the United States. Following this album, the band went on a long hiatus, though they never officially broke up.
Hiatus and Reunions
During the hiatus, the band members pursued other projects. Dan Wilson became a successful songwriter and producer for other artists, winning Grammy Awards for his work with the Dixie Chicks and Adele. John Munson was involved in several musical projects, including The New Standards and The Twilight Hours. Jacob Slichter wrote a book about his experiences in the music industry titled "So You Wanna Be a Rock & Roll Star".
Semisonic has reunited several times over the years for live performances. In 2020, they released the EP You're Not Alone, their first new music in nearly two decades. This was followed by the full-length album Little Bit of Sun in 2023.
"Closing Time"
The band's most famous song, "Closing Time," has a double meaning. While on the surface it is about the end of the night at a bar, lead singer Dan Wilson wrote it in anticipation of the birth of his first child. The lyrics metaphorically describe being born.