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BIG DIPPER

About Me


Big Dipper was formed in 1985 amidst the fertile Boston music scene of the day, after guitarist Gary Waleik and bassist Steve Michener left the original lineup of Volcano Suns (which they'd formed with drummer and vocalist Peter Prescott after the breakup of Prescott's earlier band Mission Of Burma). Still anxious to pursue their musical muses, Michener briefly played in an early line-up of Dumptruck, while Waleik started writing songs with singer/guitarist Bill Goffrier, who had moved to Boston after his former band, the Wichita, KS-based indie pioneers the Embarrassment, had split up in 1983. Completing their lineup with the additions of Michener and local drummer Jeff Oliphant, the band took to writing songs in their practice space and playing a few small gigs around Boston and Cambridge, before finally getting around to laying down a few tracks at a local studio. The band sent 6 songs to the legendary Homestead label, just to see if anyone might be interested. The response was clear and to the point as a recording contract and a hefty check for $1000 soon showed up in the mail. At this point, the band did not even have a name. But they settled on Big Dipper, and went back into the studio to record three more songs, thus giving life to the Boo-Boo EP, which came out on Homestead in March of 1987. Leading off with the killer "Faith Healer", Boo-Boo was well-received on both the local and national indie scenes. Later the same year, the band’s debut full-length LP Heavens was released to even greater acclaim. An excellent synthesis of sunny power pop, neo-psychedelia, and indie rock angst, Heavens launched the band onto national tours, critical acclaim, and respectable record sales. All Music Guide has called Heavens “one of the finest American indie albums of its era.”
In 1988, Big Dipper released Craps, their final album with Homestead, and continued to tour and cement their reputation as one of the most vibrant bands from the thriving Boston music scene. The band signed to Epic/CBS in 1989, and released one album Slam, before being chewed up and spit out by the major label machine. It was not a pleasant process for anyone involved. By 1992, Big Dipper was no more. It had been amazing ride, but after nearly 7 years it was over.
On March 18th, 2008, Merge Records will be releasing Supercluster: The Big Dipper Anthology. This 3 CD set will include reissues of the band’s debut EP - Boo-Boo - and first two LPs - Heavens and Craps as well as 9 bonus tracks, a video and one previously unreleased CD – the “lost” album - Very Loud Array, which was the last recorded document from Big Dipper, but never saw the light of day, UNTIL NOW!!

My Interests

Music:

Member Since: 11/29/2007
Band Website: www.mergerecords.com
Band Members: Bill Goffrier: vocals, guitars
Gary Waleik: vocals, guitars
Steve Michener: bass, vocals
Jeff Oliphant: drums, vocals
Sounds Like: Click to here to buy ’Supercluster: The Big Dipper Anthology’ direct from Merge Records! Also available for download!!

This 3-CD limited edition set is comprised of 49 re-mastered tracks from the legendary Boston band’s original tapes, plus the mysterious "Faith Healer" video, all for an incredibly low price. Chronicling Big Dipper’s years on the Homestead label, discs one and two include the 1987 EP "BooBoo" and the LPs "Heavens" (1987) and "Craps" (1988). Nine little or seldom heard bonus tracks from that era fill out Disc 2. Disc 3 compiles fifteen previously unreleased tracks from the band’s 1991 and 1992 post-Epic recording sessions. Extensive liner notes from the original band members and Tom Scharpling (host of The Best Show on WFMU).

BIG DIPPER - Faith Healer

Love Barge Video Love Barge lyrics - Big Dipper lyrics .. Big Dipper Music Videos Music Video Codes by VideoCure
Record Label: Merge Records
Type of Label: Indie

My Blog

Princess Warrior

It's one of our new songs, and it's by Jeff Oliphant. We are previewing it here and on Facebook because we can and because we are excited to have you hear it.
Posted by on Fri, 24 Apr 2009 12:08:00 GMT

Dippa meets the Spaceships in Boston

With many thanks to Robert Pollard for inviting us to be in on the fun. http://www.bigtakeover.com/reviews/robert-pollards-boston-sp aceships-and-big-dipper-the-paradise-boston-ma-tuesday-septe mber-30-...
Posted by on Sun, 05 Oct 2008 14:01:00 GMT

Set from Southpaw, Brooklyn, NY 4/25/08

Guitar Named Desire RevisitedFaith HealerHey! Mr. LincolnShe's FetchingEaster EveLou Gehrig's DiseaseSan Quentin, CAMeet the WitchLife Inside the CemeteryLunar ModuleBonnieAll Going Out TogetherMaking...
Posted by on Sat, 17 May 2008 03:08:00 GMT

cmj.com - Big Dipper Return!

  From CMJ.com:Nearly 16 years after the band's breakup, Merge is announcing a reissue of what they are calling Supercluster: The Big Dipper Anthology due March 18. This three CD set includes ...
Posted by on Sat, 12 Jan 2008 17:26:00 GMT

PITCHFORK: Merge Bundles Big Dipper Albums Into Remastered Set

Merge Bundles Big Dipper Albums Into Remastered Set   It seems like the late 80s and early 90s are littered with great indie/college rock bands awaiting rediscovery in the aughts. Just last yea...
Posted by on Sat, 12 Jan 2008 17:16:00 GMT