Single Frame Ashtray

Single Frame Ashtray emerged in 2000 out of the spare parts of two imploding Austin, TX, indie rock combos. Almost immediately, Brendan Reilly, Henry Dent, and Jason Schleter seemed to be creating something people wanted to talk about. Problem was, all the usual labels were fuzzy. Indie rock? Dance punk? Cut'n'paste pop static? It wasn't clear just what Single Frame Ashtray was making, but it was affecting enough to set the chatterboxes a-buzzing. In 2002, the self-released Wetheads Come Running LP made numerous tastemakers' faves lists; by 2003's even more ambitious Burn Radio Airtest (issued through the Austin upstart Already Gone), it was clear Single Frame -- having dropped the "Ashtray" -- were more focused than ever on their chop sockey not-pop. And acclaim washed downstream like so much floating booty.