Big Dipper - Biography
By Marcus Kagler
In the mid-80’s, Boston was an alternative rock hotbed, churning out big names like the Pixies, Throwing Muses, and The Lemonheads. But for every band that made a big splash in Boston's alternative rock pool, there were a slew of bands who remained relatively unknown. The post punk power pop quartet Big Dipper is the quintessential archetype of the indie band that stood on the precipice of success, but never quite made the leap. Big Dipper formed in 1985 and was comprised of former Volcano Suns guitarist Gary Waleik and bassist Steve Michener, with former Embarrassment vocalist, Bill Goffrier and former Dumptruck drummer, Jeff Oliphant. The band was something of an alt-rock supergroup for their time, and after gigging around Boston for just a few months they developed a diehard following in their native city. Their debut EP, Boo Boo (Positive), appeared in 1987 to critical acclaim and thanks to the college radio-friendly track “Faith Healer,” the group’s fan base broadened. Just a few months later the group issued their debut full length, Heavens (1987 Homestead) to overwhelmingly positive reviews and Big Dipper soon found themselves on the cusp of buzz-worthy success.
The next year found singer Goffrier splitting his time between Big Dipper and the reunion of his former band, Embarrassment, which lessened his contributions to the band’s sophomore effort, Craps (1988 Homestead). Lacking the hook-laden power pop immediacy of its predecessor, Craps wasn’t the breakthrough album the band had been hoping for, but that didn’t stop Big Dipper from signing to major label Epic Records the following year. Switching to a major label, however, would prove to be the band’s undoing. Like many alternative bands newly signed to a major label, Big Dipper had sacrificed their raw sound (and indie cred) for sleeker radio-friendly production on their third and debut major label release, Slam (1990 Epic). The album was a commercial disappointment and rather than face the inevitable drop from the Epic roster, the group called it a day that same year.
