Shellac formed in Chicago, Illinois, in 1992 as an informal collaboration between guitarist Steve Albini of noise rock trios Big Black and Rapeman, and drummer Todd Trainer from the band Breaking Circus and solo project Brick Layer Cake.

Shellac's signature sound was often associated with their enthusiasm for vintage Travis Bean guitars, a rare brand of aluminium-necked instruments, and the Interfax "Harmonic Percolator" distortion pedal.

To celebrate their 20th anniversary as a band, Shellac returned to ATP to curate once more in December 2012 with the line-up including Wire, Scrawl, Mission Of Burma, the Ex + Brass Unbound, Red Fang, Shannon Wright, the Membranes, Alix, Bear Claw, Helen Money, Dead Rider, Arcwelder, Neurosis, Mono, Melt Banana, Uzeda, Prinzhorn Dance School, Three Second Kiss, Buke and Gase, Oxbow, Nina Nastasia, Zeni Geva, Bottomless Pit, Pinebender, STNNNG and more.

[4] Touch and Go Records released the bulk of Shellac’s material, starting with a couple of singles in 1993 and the band’s debut album At Action Park in 1994.

Because of Albini and Weston’s full-time careers as audio engineers, Shellac would record their music gradually over the following decades, releasing the albums Terraform in 1998, 1000 Hurts in 2000, and Excellent Italian Greyhound in 2007.

[21] Mike Sullivan of Russian Circles cited the album as a major influence on his guitar-playing, noting that it "literally changed the way [he] looked at music".

[22] The band has also been cited as an influence by Future Of The Left (who have been described with the moniker "Poundland Shellac"),[23] Kurt Ballou of Converge,[24] Mono,[25] Swing Kids,[26] Karin Dreijer of The Knife,[27] Gilla Band,[28][29] Black Country, New Road,[30] Jehnny Beth of Savages,[31] Silverchair,[32] My Disco,[33] Gengahr,[34] Dredg,[35] Suicide Dolls,[36] Echo Is Your Love,[37] The Futureheads,[38] KEN Mode,[18] and Pile.

[39] Shellac was honored with a star on the outside mural of the Minneapolis nightclub First Avenue,[40] recognizing performers that have played sold-out shows or have otherwise demonstrated a major contribution to the culture at the iconic venue.

"[46] During the 2024 edition of Primavera Sound, there was a listening party of To All Trains during Shellac's planned time slot which served as a memorial to Albini, and the festival renamed a stage for him in his honor.