Stephen Malkmus, lead singer-songwriter lead guitarist fronted the group Pavement, a medium big college-rock band. Through heavy touring and a few good album covers they earned a cult following. They split in 1999. You could say the Stephen Malkmus album released in February 2001, was his first venture as a solo artist, or you could say it's a continuation of the "esprit du Pavement" with a different rhythm section and less Bob Nastanovich (I was gonna say baggage, but I couldn't even wedge my toiletries into him). Real Emotional Trash is Stephen Malkmus' fourth solo record, his the second with The Jicks. The Jicks line–up now includes Sleater Kinney and Quasi drummer Janet Weiss.