Magnapop: Georgia's Finest?

A dozen years ago, Athens, Ga., became the first of many indie-rock meccas; R.E.M. and the B-52's are the big names from a college-town scene that also included the Method Actors, Love Tractor, and Pylon. Rising from the ashes of Oh-OK, another early '80s Athens band, Magnapop are lead singer Linda Hopper, guitarist Ruthie Morris, drummer David McNair, and bassist Shannon Mulvaney.

"Athens is in the middle of nowhere," says Hopper. "Back in the early '80s, cable television hadn't even been introduced yet - there was nothing to do except hang out and play in bands." Hopper has been a primary architect of the city's music scene ever since. Oh-OK's peak-period lineup included Matthew Sweet and Lynda Stipe (Michael's sister).

Hopper and Morris formed Magnapop in 1990, after Morris moved to Athens and was introduced to Hopper through mutual friends. Soon, McNair and Mulvaney - who had played in a later version of Oh-OK with Hopper - rejoined the fold. Hot Boxing, Magnapop's major label debut, is a collection of galloping pop songs. Morris' assaultive guitar lines wrap around Hopper's impassive but hypnotic vocals. On the sly first single, "Slowly, Slowly," she chants and whoops the hooky mantra "We do it all the time." And as the frenetic pace of "Get It Right" demonstrates, Magnapop are rhythmically tight. They smoothly negotiate a sonic roller-coaster ride, cruising through sharp tempo changes and wild mood shifts.

The band nearly called it quits in early 1993, after recording sessions with a big-name producer were scrapped. "We were too carefree," admits Morris. And then Magnapop heard that Bob Mould was interested in producing them; within days the Magnapop van was parked in Mould's Austin, Texas driveway.

Mould held the reins loosely, allowing the band's true identity to come to the forefront of the music. "Bob said we seem like a band who really likes what they do, and I think that's a great way to sum us up," says Morris earnestly. "It's really fun to play in this band. We can't wait to go out and bash around."

And in live performance it shows: The dynamics and chemistry between the band members are electrifying. Onstage, Magnapop are a manic ball of energy. Hopper gleefully jumps around, grinning from ear to ear, while the remaining members attack their respective instruments with reckless abandon. Offstage, the members of Magnapop project an absolutely relaxed and unpretentious vibe. "We're so laid back we listen to National Public Radio on the road," says Morris. "Now what other rock band would admit to that?"

Matt Hendrickson
Rolling Stone Issue 696 December 1, 1994