History
The band originally consisted of the Scroggins sisters, Renee (vocals), Valerie (drums), Deborah (bass) and Marie (congas, vocals) and friend Tito Libran (congas, vocals). A later incarnation of the band consisted of Marie (congas, vocals), Renee (guitar, vocals), Valerie Scroggins (drums), David Miles (guitar) and Leroy Glover (bass), Chistelle Scroggins (vocals) and Nicole Scroggins (bass). ESG's music is centered around complex polyrhythms, a funky bass and pop-flavored guitar.
During their first incarnation, the group signed with 99 Records and the self-titled 1981 EP of three live (recorded at Hurrah) and three studio songs, the latter produced by English post-punk producer Martin Hannett. A 7" of "You're No Good" was released by Factory Records in the UK. 1982's ESG Says Dance to the Beat of the Moody EP continued in a similar vein, as did their first album, 1983's Come Away with ESG.
ESG disbanded shortly after, but re-formed in the early '90s, heralding their comeback with a self-titled 1991 compilation of previously released material. The group's work had become popular, mainly among hip-hop artists searching for samples, with such acts as TLC, the Wu-Tang Clan, the Beastie Boys, Big Daddy Kane, Gang Starr, Junior Mafia, Tricky, Jay-Dee, as well as indie rockers like Unrest and Liars all sampling the group. The group addressed this issue on the 1992 12" EP Sample Credits Don't Pay Our Bills. The album, ESG Live!, was released in 1995 and featured both old and new material.
The band played what they announced was to be their final show on Friday, September 21, 2007 at Chicago's Abbey Pub, during the Estrojam festival. However, they subsequently played September 13, 2008 in New York. They opened for the Yeah Yeah Yeahs at Radio City Music Hall in September 2009. ESG announced shows in Sweden and France in September, 2011. An ESG show in March 2012 was announced as their final west coast show on what they called their final tour, and announced that their forthcoming final album would be titled Closure.
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