Formation and Marvel (1991–1993) edit

When Greg Lovell, originally from Florida, moved to Washington from California,^[1] met Jimmy Paulson, they decided to form a band,^[1] adding bassist Brent Saunders and drummer Jeff Ramirez to the lineup in 1991,^[1][2] with Paulson on lead vocals and sharing guitar duties with Lovell.^[2] They played local shows, opening for acts such as the Supersuckers and the Dwarves,^[1] before parting ways with Ramirez.^[1] They soon successfully auditioned drummer Rob Cunningham, after he put an ad in The Rocket,^[1] and began recording their debut album three weeks later.^[1] They continued to play live, including shows opening for Meddaphysical and Bathtub Gin,^[1] before signing a deal with independent record label Macola Records in 1993.^[1][2][3] Released in the same year^[2] and produced by Al Sieg,^[4] Marvel was described as "a speedy album that owed more to the bratty '80 pop-punk of the Descendents and All than the currently fashionable sludgy grunge sound" by Allmusic review Stewart Mason,^[2] though he criticized Seig's production.^[4]

Major-label deal, Sturdy and breakup (1994–1996) edit

The Lemons signed a deal with Will Records^[5] before signing with Mercury Records in 1994,^[2][5] releasing a self-titled EP the same year.^[2] They recorded their new album with Bill Stevenson, of the Descendents. producing.^[2] However, the label rejected the album,^[2] with Cunningham departing the band,^[3] joining Flake,^[2] and guitarist^[3] Nabil Ayers joining as their new drummer,^[2] making his first appearance with the band when they opened for Mudhoney later in the year.^[3] They decided to re-record their second album with Ayers,^[3] however Paulson departed the band, temporarily joining Best Kissers in the World^[2] before forming New American Shame, with Johnny Reidt, in 1998.^[6][7] Adding guitarist Jeff Hiatt to the group,^[2] Lovell became the group's lead singer and re-recorded their second album.^[2][8] Released in 1995,^[2] Sturdy sold poorly^[2] resulting in the band being dropped from the label a month later.^[5] The following year, The Lemons disbanded.^[2]

Post-breakup activities and one-off reunion (1996–present) edit

Ayers went on to join Alien Crime Syndicate^[9] forming the record labels Collective Fruit^[10][11] and The Control Group^[9] to release the albums Dust to Dirt, XL from Coast to Coast and Ten Songs in the Key of Betrayal with the band.^[12] He later joined John Roderick's The Long Winters,^[9][13] touring with Keane and releasing the album Putting the Days to Bed.^[9][13] His music store, Sonic Boom, was also named the top independent music store in the US by Rolling Stone magazine in 2006.^[9]

In April 2011, The Lemons reunited for a one-off show at Neumos in Seattle, opening for Duff McKagan's Loaded.^[14]

The Lemons have seen their music compared to the Ramones,^[1][3] Descendents,^[2][4] All^[2][4] and the New York Dolls^[4] while the band cite influences from bands such as The Beatles,^[3] Cheap Trick,^[4] The Plimsouls^[3] and Kiss.^[3][4] Their music has been described as "thrash happy"^[3] and that "because they don't stay put neatly in a metal, punk or grunge category, they're able to play for different audiences and with different bands."^[1] Reviewing Marvel for Allmusic, Steward Mason stated that the album "has a refreshingly post-grunge sound" and that "the clever "Circle K Girl" and the New York Dolls-like glitter thrash of "All I Got" and "Keep Diggin'" are pure punk-pop gems."^[4]

Former members

• Jimmy Paulson – lead vocals, lead guitar (1991–1995)
• Greg Lovell – lead vocals, guitar, backing vocals (1991–1996)
• Brent Saunders – bass (1991–1996)
• Jeff Ramirez – drums (1991)
• Rob Cunningham – drums (1991–1994)
• Nabil Ayers – drums (1994–1996)
• Jeff Hiatt – lead guitar (1995–1996)

Studio albums

• Marvel (1993)
• Sturdy (1995)

EPs

• The Lemons (1994)

• The Lemons discography at Discogs