North Carolina-based four-piece Archers of Loaf is a quintessential example of 1990s college rock. Forming in 1990, the group successfully released a few singles before signing to the independent label Alias Records, who subsequently released the majority of the band's albums, all critically well-received. While Archers of Loaf remained fairly underground for much of its career--its closest forays into the mainstream were a tour with Weezer and the distribution of its 1996 album by major label Elektra--this residency in more independent music crowds was intentional and the band generally turned down any offers that would propel it into the eye of the masses. By 1998, the group felt it was time for Archers of Loaf to disband and its members went on to work on solo projects and play in other bands over the next decade. In 2011, however, Archers of Loaf played a surprise show in North Carolina and announced that it would be reuniting to tour its brand of noisy alternative rock.
