Led by Lizard McGee, indie rock heroes Earwig formed in the early '90s in Columbus, Ohio. The original trio cut Dead Slow Hoot (1992), an EP that introduced their melodic yet complex sound and a heart-on-sleeve lyrical style. It marked the first release on the band's LFM Records, which also released their debut album, Mayfeeder (1994). Earwig seemed on the cusp of a breakout, but they didn't deliver their follow-up, Perfect Past Tense (1999), until several years and lineup changes later. Many of McGee's songs, including "Used Kids" from Center of the Earth (2006) and the entirety of Gibson Under Mountain (2010), were inspired by his dreams. After another lineup change, the band delivered Pause for the Jets (2016). ~ Timothy Monger