Slowcore emerged in the early 1990s as bands like Codeine began slowing down tempos and focusing on sparse, minimalist arrangements with reverb-heavy guitars, powerful bass, and laidback drumming. Codeine is cited as the first slowcore band, forming in 1991 with their album "Frigid Stars" featuring sad, existential lyrics performed in an emotive yet irregular vocal style. Slowcore explored interior emotions and introspection through dramatically quieter performances that influenced later independent music genres.

1. SLOWCORE: THE PIONEERS

2. Slowcore: The quiet revolution of the 90’s
• Born in ‘91 with album
“Frigid Stars” by Codeine
• Codeine first band to slow
down tempos
• Existentialistic, visual, sad
lyrics
• Dramatic, played heavily.
• Skeletal, minimalistic, very
tight arrangements

3. Slowcore: The quiet revolution of the 90’s
Instruments:
• Electric guitar with big
reverb and a clean or
light crunch sound
• Minimalistic powerful
bass
• Laid back minimalistic
and loud drum grooves
Voice:
• Emotive and sad
• Irregular, unshaped,
imprecise

4. The next slide will feature Codeine
performing “Cave-in” in Bologna,
Italy, 2012

5. Slowcore: The quiet revolution of the 90’s
Codeine’s Lyrics by singer Stephen Immerwhar
Cave in Jr
Last night I dreamed your face Threw my bike off the road
Your skin was falling off And lie in the grass
The flesh was turning grey The hot winds blow
Promises I'll never know
This is a cave-in
I say I’d stay Dumb at twelve
With a delinquent mind
Last night I had a dream The sky turned yellow-blue
Your eyes were lit by fire Like a week-old bruise
The way you tried to smile
The way you couldn’t smile These days things loom above me
My head is empty
They is a cave-in My tongue and lips
I say I’ll stay Are swollen
These things take so long
So let me help it some

6. Slowcore: The quiet revolution of the 90’s
Codeine’s Lyrics by singer Stephen Immerwhar
SEA PICKUP SONG
A white ship sails on a black Don't remember your kiss
sea Can't remember what I miss
Takes my love from me
And it takes so long Thought you were blind, I held your
But then I understand hand
I under... Guess I still don't understand
STAND
Wish I'd never seen your face
Put your hand in my good
hand
Promise not to leave this dry
and barren land
And it takes so long
But then I understand
I under...
STAND

7. Slowcore: The 1990’s quiet revolution
Three Main Bands:
-Codeine, NY, 1989
-Rex, NY, 1994
-Blue Tile Lounge, Perth
(Australia), 1991

8. Slowcore: The 1990’s quiet revolution
Why is Slowcore so important to
know?
• Slowcore bands influenced today’s
independent music
• The style, the feel, the attitude,
the sound are still very unique and
were revolutionary for the time
• It is the most dramatic and intense
genre of rock
• The idea of slowing down life,
exploring the world inside us.

9. We’ll now listen to Blue Tile Lounge
recoding of “Figure Ground”
From their first album “Lowercase” ‘95

10. SLOWCORE: THE PIONEERS