On Nov. 4, pop rockers Built to Spill will be performing at the WOW Hall. The popular underground act, known for their pop-culture references, complex, guitar-heavy arrangements and fractured song structures, will be playing along with Mike Johnson and Ape Shape.
Formed in Boise, Idaho, in 1993 by guitarist/songwriter Doug Martsch, the band went through a number of line-up changes before Martsch settled on Brett Nelson on bass and Scott Plouf on drums. The success of their first few albums led to a spot on the 1995 Lollapalooza tour and subsequently a record deal with Warner Bros.
Often compared to Modest Mouse and Neil Young, the
band made its name playing intricate pop-rock jams. With their initial critical success in the 1990s, the band began to make an appearance on the pop charts with 1999’s “Keep It Like a Secret.” The band’s last album, 2001’s “Ancient Melodies of the Future,” didn’t fare as well but still received some positive reviews.
The WOW Hall is located at 291 W. 8th Ave. Tickets are $15 in advance and $17 at the door. Doors open at 8 p.m. Advance tickets are available at CD/Game Exchange, House of Records, Face the Music, Taco Loco, CD World and the UO Ticket Office.

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