The Secret Boston Origin Behind One of Seattle’s Most Iconic ’90s Rock Sounds

One of the most distinctive alternative rock sounds of the 1990s, credited to Seattle, actually came right from Boston, Massachusetts.

No, I’m not talking about grunge. I’m talking about the unique sounds of the band The Presidents of the United States of America, the trio that had hits like “Lump,” “Peaches,” “Kitty,” and one of the theme songs to The Drew Carey Show.

While the band was indeed from Seattle, where the three original members were all born, lead singer and bassist Chris Ballew actually bought the instrument that helped give the Presidents their unique sound when he was living in Boston.

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Ballew played what he called a “basitar,” which is a six-string guitar with all the strings removed, and then re-strung with only two bass strings, and played through a bass amplifier. Guitarist Dave Dederer played what they called a “guitbass,” a three-string guitar played like a bass, but through a guitar amp.

From Morphine to 'Lump': The Boston Apartment Connection

Ballew got the idea for these instruments from living with Morphine singer/bassist Mark Sandman, who played the same type of basitar, when they shared a Boston apartment and played together in a band called Supergroup. Ballew later moved to Los Angeles before returning to Seattle and forming the Presidents.

In fact, the actual basitar that Ballew famously played on The Presidents of the United States of America’s self-titled debut album came from Boston.

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He posted a video on July 20 to the Presidents’ Facebook page – which has been very active lately in recognition of the 31st anniversary of the band’s debut – in which he said he was “catching up with an old friend,” as he sat down with the original basitar.

The Story of the Pawn Shop 'Basitar'

“This is the guitar that I played on the debut album that I got at a pawn shop in Boston in between Central and Harvard Squares in 1991, 2, 3? I don’t remember. It’s all a big blur,” he said. “But this is the boy that played on the album. It’s got a very microphonic pickup.”

Ballew said whenever he’s feeling nostalgic, he goes into the room and picks it up and plays the riff from “Body.”

Social Media Buzz Hints at a Possible Reunion Tour

Fans of the Presidents are hoping all this activity and reminiscing on social media (the band added a TikTok account as well) is a precursor to them reuniting for a tour. All three original band members have been part of the posts, and seem to be having just as much fun as ever.