Though Mac McCaughan has plenty to keep him busy -- playing in Superchunk, managing the successful Merge Records -- he also spends time recording under the moniker of Portastatic. In 1993, Tom Scharpling of 18 Wheeler Records asked to release some of McCaughan's lo-fi, four-track Portastudio recordings; his request was met by the singles "Sandals with White Socks" and "Starter". Since then the side-project has recorded (using a variety of lineups) six full length albums, several singles, and two movie soundtracks.