From the very first ominous rumbling guitar of "Antilyrical," you know something's up. By the time "Red Tape Parade" blasts a wash of guitars and bombastic drum line, and Aaron Stauffer wails in defense of any person ever screwed over by the man, you know what's happening. Those punk kids from Tacoma are back, and they're tired of taking shit!

Merge Records was proud to kick off the end of the millenium party with the much anticipated new release from now-defunct punk-pop masters Seaweed. Actions & Indications proved with blistering clarity and subtle charm that although they may have been a bit longer in the tooth, Seaweed still packed a formidable punch.

A refresher course for ya: Seaweed formed out of the fertile northwest punk scene of the mid-to-late 80's in Tacoma and Olympia, WA. Aaron and his best bud since fourth grade, Clint Werner (guitar), were going to all-ages shows featuring the likes of Fugazi, Dag Nasty, Bad Brains and 7 Seconds. It was a great time to be a young punk rocker, and our intrepid lads gleefully found themselves caught up in the D.I.Y. ethic. In 1989, along with new sidekick Wade Neal (guitar/vocals), the guys decided to form a band. After recruiting Jon Atkins (bass) and Bob Bulgrien (drums), our heroes did the next logical thing. They released a single on their own label and climbed in a pick-up truck and hit the road.

Seaweed spent the better part of the next 5 years touring all over the world and recording music. They worked with legendary Seattle producer Jack Endino for their first two records on Sub Pop; 1991's Despised EP and 1992's Weak LP. Their third Sub Pop release, Four (1993), was recorded in Clint's own basement studio with the band tweaking the dials themselves. 1995 found Seaweed once again traveling the globe from Europe to Japan, across the USA and back again in support of Spanaway on Hollywood Records.

After spending a few years recharging their batteries and pursuing other projects, Seaweed was refreshed and revitalized when they headed back into TacWa, Clint's basement studio in the summer of 1998 to record the platter du jour that became Action & Indications. Actions & Indications is a tour de force of power chord dynamism. Blazing twin guitar harmonies from Wade and Clint backed by John's maurading bass lines. Alan Cage came all the way from New York City (where he also played with Quicksand) to pulverize the skins. And of course there's the ever-aggressive, insightful vocals of Northern California's favorite oceanic thrash kid and kayak guide, Aaron Stauffer.

Seaweed broke up in 1999.

www.myspace.com/seaweed

"Inside" + 3 [7"] (Leopard Gecko) 1990
Seaweed [cd-ep] (Tupelo Recording Co.) 1991
Deertrap / Carousel [7"] (K) 1992
Despised [ep] (Sub Pop) 1992
Bill / Pumpkins [7"] (Sub Pop) 1992
Four [cd/lp] (Sub Pop) 1993
Weak [cd/lp] (Sub Pop) 1993
Measure / Turn Out [7"] (Sub Pop) 1993
Go Your Own Way [cd-ep] (Sub Pop) 1994
"Go Your Own Way" on Clerks soundtrack [cd] (?) 1994
Spanaway [cd] (Hollywood) 1995
Actions & Indications [cd/lp] (Merge) 1999
"Brand New Order" on Oh, Merge comp. [cd] (Merge) 1999