Sarge

by Jason AnkenyChampaign, IL, punk-pop group Sarge was formed in late 1995 by singer/guitarist Elizabeth Elmore and ex-Corndolly bassist Rachel Switzky. Recruiting drummer Russ Horvath, the group played their debut show in January 1996, quickly becoming a popular local attraction. Upon signing to the Mud label, Sarge debuted that March with the excellent single Dear Josie, Love Robyn, resurfacing a few months later on a split single with Supporting Actress issued on Grand Theft Autumn. After recording their acclaimed 1996 debut Charcoal, Horvath quit the group and was replaced by drummer Chad Romanski, who signed on in time to cut the 1997 single Stall. Sarges breakthrough sophomore LP The Glass Intact appeared in 1998 and was recorded with second guitarist Pat Cramer, who quit the band a short time later. His replacement was Sue Roth; lineup changes continued to plague the group in the months which followed, however, and in late 1998 Switzky left Sarge as well, opening the door for ex-Castor bassist Derek Niedringhaus. The following year Elmore enrolled in Northwestern Law School, and in the wake of her semester finals opted to dissolve the band, playing the occasional performance as a solo act; Distant, a posthumous collection of Sarge demos and live tracks, followed in the spring of 2000.