Bitch Magnet was formed by bassist/vocalist Sooyoung Park and Jon Fine at Oberlin College in 1986; drummer Orestes Morfin joined shortly thereafter. Immediately following the release of its debut Star Booty in 1988, the band garnered rapturous reviews and established itself among the top-tier of America’s independent music underground. The band’s reputation continued to grow with tours of the US and Europe, and the subsequent releases of Umber (prominently included by Mojo on its list of “Lost Albums You Must Own”) in 1989 and Ben Hur in 1990. The latter two have been frequently cited as a key inspiration for what would become known as “post-rock,” a term that baffled and amused the members of Bitch Magnet when it first surfaced, and still does today.

After Bitch Magnet’s dissolution, Park went on to form Seam. Morfín drummed in Walt Mink and Godrifle. Fine formed Vineland and Coptic Light, and briefly played in Don Caballero.

Along with their contemporaries in Slint, in the years following their breakup, Bitch Magnet has been recognized as a significant influence on generations of aggressive and musically complex bands, including Don Caballero, Mogwai, Rodan, June of 44 and Battles.

On December 6, Temporary Residence will package Bitch Magnet’s seminal and critically-acclaimed three albums – Star Booty, Umber, and Ben Hur – as a deluxe, limited edition triple-LP set and as a triple CD. The reissues will also include songs that have never appeared on CD or LP, and a collection of previously unreleased studio recordings newly mixed in October 2010 with John Congleton (Explosions In The Sky, The Walkmen). The albums are remastered from the original analog master tapes. An invitation from Battles‘ Ian Williams to play at All Tomorrow’s Parties, coaxed Bitch Magnet out of retirement, and the original recorded lineup will reunite to perform in Europe for the first time since 1989 this December.

In addition to its upcoming performance at All Tomorrow’s Parties, Bitch Magnet will play 2 headline shows for Damnably(London & Bristol), and plan to play a handful of shows in Europe and Asia in the coming months.