Everclear is an American alternative rock band that crossed over to mainstream pop success during the mid-1990s, a trajectory set in motion by its signature hit, "Santa Monica."
Singer/guitarist Art Alexakis formed Everclear in Portland, Ore. in 1991, recruiting bassist Craig Montoya and drummer Scott Cuthbert through an ad in the local alt-weekly. Eklund replaced Cuthbert ahead of the group's Capitol Records debut, Sparkle and Fade; Alexakis, Everclear's primary songwriter and sole constant member, drew on his struggles with drug addiction and family dysfunction to craft confessional material like "Santa Monica" and "Heroin Girl."
Everclear's catchy hooks and driving guitars attracted even more attention via the trio's third album, So Much for the Afterglow, which spawned hit singles including "Father of Mine" and "I Will Buy You a New Life." All told, Everclear sold more than 9 million albums worldwide.
