Epperley Biography & Discography
About Epperley
Epperley is a Tulsa-born power-pop band with a knack for turning big hooks and sharp wit into unforgettable rock songs. Formed in the mid-’90s, the group quickly went from local DIY shows to signing with L.A.’s Triple X Records after sending in a self-recorded demo that impressed the label enough to break their “no unsolicited demos” rule.Their self-titled debut (1996) delivered fan favorites like “Shy” and “Nice Guy Eddie,” landing tracks on film soundtracks (The Tao of Steve, American Pie 2) and TV (Buffy the Vampire Slayer, HBO’s Normal). With their sophomore record Sophomore Slump (1999), Epperley doubled down on their mix of crunchy guitars, melodic instincts, and sly humor—cementing themselves as cult heroes of the late-’90s alt-rock underground.Along the way, the band shared stages with acts like Imperial Teen, Matthew Sweet, The Goo Goo Dolls, Spoon, and Modest Mouse. They also dropped a now-legendary lo-fi Christmas cassette that resurfaced years later as a full release, showing their playful side never really went away.After a 25-year hiatus, Epperley reunited in Tulsa in December 2024, proving that the songs still hit just as hard as they did in the ’90s. With a legacy of razor-sharp songwriting, Tulsa grit, and a catalog that still surprises, Epperley is back to remind you why you fell in love with indie rock in the first place.
Epperley (1996) - The Debut Album
Tulsa’s Epperley burst onto the scene in 1996 with their eponymous debut—an explosive blend of alternative pop-rock that refused to be ignored. Signed by Triple X Records off the back of a DIY demo tape, the band turned that scrappy energy into sparkly power-pop that’s still damn catchy today.The album delivers standout tracks like “Nice Guy Eddie” and “Shy”, which would later earn a spot in a Buffy the Vampire Slayer episode, helping raise Epperley’s cult status beyond Tulsa.Local critics were quick to take notice. At SXSW, Tulsa World captured the moment:“Their driving rock attracted quite a crowd — people from the streets who found Epperley’s hooks much more interesting…”
Thomas ConnerThat moment was more than fate—it was proof that Epperley’s blend of crunchy riffs, clever lyrics, and melodic hooks was resonating everywhere.
Epperley — Sophomore Slump (1999)
Epperley’s second album, Sophomore Slump, proved the Tulsa band wasn’t interested in playing it safe. Where their 1996 self-titled debut introduced their melodic power-pop hooks and sly alternative rock charm, the follow-up leaned harder into emotional textures, jangly guitars, and bittersweet storytelling. The result was a record that felt both more ambitious and more personal.Released in 1999 on Triple X Records, Sophomore Slump landed Epperley in front of wider audiences thanks to film and TV placements, most notably with “You're So 1988” appearing in The Tao of Steve (2000 Sundance Special Jury Prize Winner), cementing the group’s cult status among late-90s alt-rock fans.Critics praised the band for sidestepping the “curse” implied by the album’s title. AllMusic described the record as “a shimmering, underrated gem of late-'90s power pop, with irresistible melodies and whip-smart lyricism that deserved far more attention than it received.” The Tulsa World echoed this, calling it “a confident follow-up that proves Epperley had more to say than most of their peers.”Standout tracks like “Breakups and Shakeups,” “Oregon,” and “Chocolate and Banana” showcased Epperley’s knack for balancing crunchy riffs with radio-ready choruses. Meanwhile, the band’s lyrics revealed a darker, more introspective streak beneath their polished melodies — a sign of their growth as songwriters.Despite label struggles and the rapidly shifting late-90s alt-rock landscape, Sophomore Slump has endured as a fan favorite, rediscovered by new listeners thanks to its film placement and word-of-mouth. It remains a snapshot of a band at its creative peak: sharp, tuneful, and criminally overlooked.“A shimmering, underrated gem of late-'90s power pop.” — AllMusic
“A confident follow-up that proves Epperley had more to say than most of their peers.” — Tulsa World
Epperley – It’s A Wonderful Album
What began as a humble, handmade cassette passed between friends and fans has grown into one of Epperley’s most cherished recordings. Originally self-released in the late 1990s as Epperley’s Lo-Fi Christmas, the collection captured the band at their most playful and heartfelt—trading fuzz pedals and power chords for sleigh bells, harmony-rich choruses, and wide-eyed holiday wonder. Now, fully rerecorded and expanded as It’s A Wonderful Album, Epperley has preserved the charm of those early tapes while delivering the sonic warmth and polish the songs always deserved.The project is unique in Epperley’s catalog: each of the band’s three principal songwriters—David Terry, David Bynum, and Matthew Nader—contributed original holiday tunes in equal measure, creating a true democratic spirit that mirrors the season of giving. That balance of voices results in a collection as eclectic as it is cohesive, where every track feels like a classic in its own right.At the heart of the record is “Evergreen,” a shimmering mid-tempo anthem that one Tulsa World critic suggested “should be filed immediately alongside modern holiday staples from Sufjan Stevens and Low.” (Tulsa World, 1999). Elsewhere, Bynum’s wry humor shines in the tongue-in-cheek “No Depression Mistletoe,” Nader’s melodic instincts drive the yearning “Seven Inch Santa,” and Terry channels pure McCartney-esque joy in “Holiday Girl.” The mix of sincerity and wit makes It’s A Wonderful Album an annual favorite—not just for fans, but for the band itself.“All of us look back on this one with a special fondness,” said Nader years later. “We’d spend our days fighting with guitars and distortion pedals, and then spend the nights huddled in David’s apartment tracking Christmas songs on a four-track. We didn’t even realize it, but we were making something we’d all want to return to year after year.”Critics at the time agreed. The Tulsa World praised the original cassette as “charming, offbeat, and instantly replayable—the rare holiday record that feels like it belongs in your stocking forever.” Fans treasured their copies, passing them along like secret mixtapes, and for years the album lived in semi-obscurity. Its resurrection as It’s A Wonderful Album finally gives the songs the permanent home they deserve.From the rollicking opener to the closing strains of “Evergreen,” the record brims with warmth, humor, and melody. More than a seasonal diversion, It’s A Wonderful Album captures Epperley’s heart at its most unguarded. For the band, it remains not just a Christmas tradition, but a reminder of friendship, creativity, and the joy of making music together.As the Tulsa World summed it up best:“If holiday records are meant to be pulled out year after year, It’s A Wonderful Album deserves to sit proudly next to A Charlie Brown Christmas. It’s a record that makes you feel like home.”