Sebadoh - Skull

What this video is

Released in 1994 as a single from Bakesale — Sebadoh's fifth and most commercially accessible album on Sub Pop Records — 'Skull' arrived at a pivotal inflection point for indie rock. Sub Pop had recently transformed from a regional Seattle imprint into a nationally recognized label following Nirvana's breakthrough, and Bakesale represented Sebadoh's bid at wider recognition while retaining their lo-fi credibility.…

Why it matters

As Sebadoh's debut music video and one of only two made for Bakesale, 'Skull' is a primary document of mid-90s Sub Pop indie rock visual culture. Its anti-spectacular, low-motion, desaturated aesthetic is emblematic of how underground indie acts negotiated the commercial video format — fulfilling…

The director

UCLA Film School graduate who began his career directing music videos for Sub Pop Records, working with artists including Mark Lanegan, Sunny Day Real Estate, and Sebadoh. He later co-created and named the character Derek Zoolander for a VH1 Fashion Awards…