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 “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).