Pablo Honey

Pablo Honey is the debut studio album by English rock band Radiohead, released on 22 February 1993 in the UK and on 20 April 1993 in the US. Produced by Sean Slade, Paul Q. Kolderie, and Radiohead’s co-manager Chris Hufford, the album marked the band’s initial foray into the music industry.

Radiohead formed in 1985 at Abingdon School in Oxfordshire and initially went by the name On a Friday, reflecting their rehearsal schedule. Their first EP, Drill (1992), received minimal attention. To make a bigger impact, Radiohead’s management decided to target the American market and employed American producers Paul Kolderie and Sean Slade, who had experience with bands like the Pixies and Dinosaur Jr. The decision was made to record the album at Chipping Norton Recording Studios in Oxfordshire.

The band faced challenges during recording, mainly due to their lack of studio experience. Initial tracks did not meet expectations, but the band’s accidental recording of “Creep” turned the tide. The track, inspired by Radiohead’s struggles and drawing from the 1972 song “The Air That I Breathe,” eventually became a breakthrough hit. The recording of Pablo Honey was completed in three weeks, but was marked by the band’s inexperience and difficulties in finishing songs.

The album’s title is a reference to a prank call by the Jerky Boys, and a sample from the sketch appears in “How Do You?”.

Pablo Honey features a mix of grunge, alternative rock, and college rock, with comparisons to bands like Nirvana and Dinosaur Jr. The album’s sound is characterised by its raw energy and youthful exuberance.

Initially, the singles “Creep,” “Anyone Can Play Guitar,” and “Stop Whispering” did not achieve significant success. However, “Creep” gradually gained traction, particularly in Israel and the US, eventually reaching number seven on the UK Singles Chart. The band’s aggressive touring, including shows with Belly and PJ Harvey, helped build their international profile.

Despite the album’s moderate initial success, Radiohead faced challenges with promotional activities and internal pressures. The American tour was particularly gruelling, leading to significant soul-searching among the band members.

Pablo Honey was certified gold in the UK by April 1994 and platinum in the US by September 1995. A live video, Live at the Astoria (1995), was released in May 1995, featuring performances from the album.