Squirrel Bait

The Profile

Squirrel Bait were an American hardcore/post-hardcore band from Louisville, Kentucky. They released the Squirrel Bait EP (1985) and Skag Heaven (1987) on Homestead Records before disbanding. Members later formed or joined Slint, Bastro/Gastr del Sol, The For Carnation, and other projects.

Core members included Peter Searcy (vocals), David Grubbs (guitar), Brian McMahan (guitar), Clark Johnson (bass), and Ben Daughtrey (drums), with early involvement from Britt Walford and Ethan Buckler. Their two official releases—Squirrel Bait (1985) and Skag Heaven (1987)—came out on Homestead Records. The band formed in Louisville, Kentucky, and split in 1987, with alumni later central to Slint, Bastro/Gastr del Sol, and The For Carnation.

Four DeBaser reviews frame Squirrel Bait as a brief but pivotal Louisville band. The 1985 EP and 1987’s Skag Heaven push hardcore toward melody and complexity. Writers cite their role between Hüsker Dü and later grunge/emo/post-rock currents. The group split soon after, with members moving to Slint, Bastro/Gastr del Sol, and beyond.