Pittsburgh natives
Hurl started out as a trio back in the summer of 1991. Guitarist/singer Matt Daly was the leader of the band, which also included guitarist/bassist Matt Jenick (also a member of the band
Don Caballero) and drummer Dave Brunger. Their sound was high-energy, guitar-driven alternative/punk, and was expressed through a series of singles. Soon after, another guitarist (
Dan Wilson) was added to make their sound even denser. The more conventional drum stylings of Noah Leger (who has also played with the Speaking Canaries) replaced
Hurl's percussionist, solidifying the present-day
Hurl lineup. Leger's presence signaled a much more powerful, upfront sound, as evidenced on their debut for Third Gear, A Place Called Today. The album was a delight for fans of tough (and sometimes dreamy) alt-rock and was produced by
Shellac member
Bob Weston.
Hurl embarked on a club tour soon after the album's release.
We Are Quiet followed in 1998, and
Not a Memory appeared in 1999. ~ Greg Prato