Formed in 1993 in Madison, Wisconsin, Garbage brought together Scottish singer
Shirley Manson and American producers Butch Vig, Duke Erikson, and Steve Marker. Blending
alternative rock with
electronic textures and
pop precision, they broke through with their self-titled debut Garbage, followed by the sleek, multi-platinum Version 2.0.
Butch Vig’s production pedigree — he famously produced Nevermind — gave the band a studio edge, yet it was Manson’s cool, confrontational presence that became their trademark. Known for hits like “Stupid Girl” and “Push It,” Garbage balanced radio appeal with a darker, industrial undercurrent.
A detail for the well-versed: the band initially worked largely by exchanging studio tapes before Manson joined, shaping songs from loops and experiments rather than traditional jam sessions — a method that helped define their precise, layered sound.
