Table was a short-lived noise rock band from Chicago, active from 1992-1993

Before their dissolution, the band had put out just two 7” singles before calling it quits due to various life and school-related impediments affecting each of the members. The first of the couple was their 1992 Unwind / Gagbox single, holding two amazing tracks recorded by the renowned Steve Albini and released on their own label Spangled Records. The second was Spindrift / Vacuum, this time being recorded by Brad Wood (another notable record producer), and was released in mid 1993 under Homestead Records

Sometime after, it’s been noted that Warren had unfortunately been dealing with an intrusive heroin addiction, making him a liability anytime the band wanted to rehearse or play shows — thus leaving the band without a bass player. They eventually found a new guy for the role and subsequently changed their name to Virginia, though due to Warren’s undeniably dynamic playing-style and unique assortment of pedals; they just ended up sounding like a watered-down version of what they once were. They never actually went on to release anything under the Virginia title and inevitably died out holding onto their unreleased 4-track demo

It was only until 1995 when Humble Records had the splendid idea of re-releasing their brief discography with an additional four tracks as a self-titled compilation CD. Some short time later in 2017, the Atypeek Music label then re-released this compilation onto streaming services under the title Uncut, as well including a little-known WNUR recording of their song MEGO

Noteworthy to mention would be the effort they put into creating such an exact and original sound. Infused with the distinct production-style of Steve Albini and the angular math-riffs akin to Drive Like Jehu, the band was able to make music just as fantastic as their more successful contemporaries while still remaining completely unique on their own. This payoff apparently came from being complete quality-control freaks about their music, noted to be constantly second-guessing their work:

We try to approach our music using guitar and drum texture as an expressive element. We like to use tempo changes, extreme dynamic changes to create contrast-some people call it on/off music. We try to think of the chords we use and try to really consider the possibilities we have with the instruments we use. We also do some shorter songs that actually work within a pop format. Another thing we’ve been doing is working in odd times and polyrhythms-trying to work in multiple time signatures at one time.

—Warren Fischer for Chicago Tribune, 1993

Though this seminal post-hardcore/math-rock sound had been perfected by the likes of Slint and The Jesus Lizard just a couple years before, it should be noted that Table truly had a hand in helping pave the way for many acts to come; the biggest and most obvious of which, would be Shellac. Debuted only months after their dissolution were Shellac’s first two 7” records, fit with a sound indistinguishable from that of Table; immediately striking fans of the two upon first listen (not to mention how similar Vito’s voice sounds to Bob’s)

Post Table: Warren eventually overcame heroin and went on to break into the mainstream with his electroclash duo-project Fischerspooner, Tim played a few one-off roles in various bands before making his own ventures in a fruitful discography of Jazz music, and Vito sung in a band called Drool once alongside Warren. He only reemerged again at the Touch And Go 25th Anniversary Festival, gray-haired and slumped over eating filthy hotdogs

Also, it’s been said that the band had three other known tracks that unfortunately never saw the light of day called Blindside (an instrumental), Mrs. Oleary, and Sisyphus. The latter two were recorded when they had some unknown, Peter Murphy-sounding guy as a fourth member and singer

Table was:

Vito Greco — Guitar, Lead Vocals
Warren Fischer — Bass, Additional Vocals
Timothy P. Stevens — Drums

It’s unfortunate that these guys disbanded so soon and never got the true recognition they deserved. Long live Table!