The return of Shudder To Think marks a significant moment for one of the most inventive and boundary-pushing bands to emerge from the American alternative scene of the late 1980s and 1990s. The group last released new material in the late 1990s before shifting focus to film and television composition, where frontman Craig Wedren and guitarist Nathan Larson established themselves as acclaimed composers. Their work has since featured in influential productions such as Yellowjackets, Wet Hot American Summer, Our Idiot Brother and High Fidelity, extending the band’s impact far beyond the rock world.
Now, following a string of sold-out East Coast dates and surprise appearances in Los Angeles earlier this year, Shudder To Think have reignited their creative flame in the studio. Their new tracks, Thirst Walk and Playback, capture the group’s trademark sense of experimentation, blending off-kilter rhythms, shifting melodies and theatrical vocals that once set them apart from the grunge-dominated rock landscape of the mid-1990s.
Wedren describes the band’s return to recording as intentionally spontaneous and instinctive. “The new songs are the first of a trove of new material we’re working on together — and they feel very much like Shudder To Think,” he says. The band kept the process organic at his Los Angeles home studio, Pink Ape Studios, while remote overdubs allowed the reunited members to build the songs piece by piece — echoing the DIY spirit that once defined Washington D.C.’s underground music scene.
The comeback also coincides with renewed interest in the group’s landmark 1994 album Pony Express Record, originally released through Epic Records after a series of pioneering releases on Dischord. Driven by the single X-French Tee Shirt, the album became a cult touchstone for musicians drawn to its fearless, angular arrangements and art-pop sensibility. It followed formative releases including Ten-Spot (1990), Funeral at the Movies (1991) and Get Your Goat (1992), each pushing further beyond the hardcore influences that shaped the band when they first formed in 1986.
After releasing 50,000 B.C. in 1997, the members pursued separate creative paths, yet Shudder To Think’s influence continued to grow. Artists such as Pearl Jam, Incubus and Deftones have all cited the band as a key inspiration — a testament to their enduring commitment to challenging rock conventions rather than conforming to them.
Their latest line-up features Wedren (vocals), Larson (guitar) and Adam Wade (drums) from the Pony Express Record era, alongside guitarist Clint Walsh and bassist Jherek Bischoff. This revitalised formation has rekindled the group’s unpredictable energy, drawing both long-time fans and new listeners to packed venues once again.
With Thirst Walk now available as a 7” vinyl via Dischord Records, and both tracks streaming on major platforms, Shudder To Think have resumed their 2025 tour, continuing across the US West Coast this month.
Shudder To Think – 2025 Tour Dates
7 November – Star Theater, Portland, OR
8 November – Barboza, Seattle, WA
10 November – Brick & Mortar Music Hall, San Francisco, CA
11 November – Lodge Room Highland Park, Los Angeles, CA (sold out)