Chicago punk-pop combo Allister was formed in 1995 by singer/drummer Tim and guitarist Johnny, longtime classmates who first teamed in a cover band organized to play their school talent show. The duo expanded to a trio the following year after Johnny met bassist Skippy in a University of Illinois math class, and in early 1997 the group played their first live date under their original name, Phineas Gage. In the spring they rechristened themselves Allister in honor of a character on the children's program You Can't Do That on Television; accordingly, the band's 1998 Drive-Thru label debut seven-inch was entitled You Can't Do That on Vinyl. In mid-1998, Skippy assumed second guitar duties following the addition of bassist Scottie; the full-length Dead Ends and Girlfriends followed a year later, and when Allister signed to major label MCA, the disc was reissued nationally in late 1999.

• Rock
• Indie
• Punk