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Van Conner

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Van Conner Famous memorial

Original Name
Van Patrick Conner
Birth
Apple Valley, San Bernardino County, California, USA
Death
18 Jan 2023 (aged 55)
Seattle, King County, Washington, USA
Burial
Cremated Add to Map
Memorial ID
View Source
Musician. Conner was best known for his work as the bassist of the American Grunge band, Screaming Trees. In 1984, he along with his elder brother Gary Lee Conner and drummer Mark Pickerel, formed the group in the Washington town of Ellensburg. With the addition of vocalist, Mark Lanegan, the first incarnation of the band was complete. The following year, the group released its' demo tape, "Other Worlds" on the independent K-Records label. Subsequent full-length albums cemented the group's status within the alternative rock scene, leading to touring positions alongside other up-and-coming Grunge groups such as Arizona's Meat Puppets. In 1990, the group landed a major recording contract with Epic Records under which they released their fifth album, 1991's "Uncle Anesthesia." Shortly thereafter, Conner went on hiatus from Screaming Trees, joining the J Mascis-helmed group Dinosaur Jr. as a touring bassist. He returned to the group for their 1992 release, "Sweet Oblivion" which proved to be the high watermark of their career. The album's single, "Nearly Lost You" became the band's biggest hit. Conner remained with Screaming Trees for the eight remaining years of its existence. In addition to his primary band, he also fronted the short-lived side project, Solomon Grundy which released one album in 1990. Other groups in which he was involved included: Gardener, VALIS, Musk Ox, Explosive Generation, Sleepy Witch, and Dr. Severn's Insane. In 2011, along with Mathew Vandenberghe, Conner co-founded the independent label Strange Earth Records which fosters independent bands in Washington State.
Musician. Conner was best known for his work as the bassist of the American Grunge band, Screaming Trees. In 1984, he along with his elder brother Gary Lee Conner and drummer Mark Pickerel, formed the group in the Washington town of Ellensburg. With the addition of vocalist, Mark Lanegan, the first incarnation of the band was complete. The following year, the group released its' demo tape, "Other Worlds" on the independent K-Records label. Subsequent full-length albums cemented the group's status within the alternative rock scene, leading to touring positions alongside other up-and-coming Grunge groups such as Arizona's Meat Puppets. In 1990, the group landed a major recording contract with Epic Records under which they released their fifth album, 1991's "Uncle Anesthesia." Shortly thereafter, Conner went on hiatus from Screaming Trees, joining the J Mascis-helmed group Dinosaur Jr. as a touring bassist. He returned to the group for their 1992 release, "Sweet Oblivion" which proved to be the high watermark of their career. The album's single, "Nearly Lost You" became the band's biggest hit. Conner remained with Screaming Trees for the eight remaining years of its existence. In addition to his primary band, he also fronted the short-lived side project, Solomon Grundy which released one album in 1990. Other groups in which he was involved included: Gardener, VALIS, Musk Ox, Explosive Generation, Sleepy Witch, and Dr. Severn's Insane. In 2011, along with Mathew Vandenberghe, Conner co-founded the independent label Strange Earth Records which fosters independent bands in Washington State.

Bio by: The Kentucky Hill Hunter



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