Post-Hardcore Journals - Entry 3 - One of DC’s Classics: Jawbox

So I’ve been avoiding this one on purpose. How does one broach the subject of DC’s Post-Hardcore classics without getting lost or overwhelmed?  The capital’s independent music scene was one unmatched by any other DIY community of the 80s/early 90s period of rock’n’roll history. We’ve discussed Hoover and Crownhate Ruin elsewhere - two of the best of DC’s post-hardcore music scene; another band that cannot be ignored, however, is the legendary Jawbox. Recently, I ordered on vinyl the 2009 remastered reissue of their greatest achievement, For Your Own Special Sweetheart (1994 Atlantic Records), so the time was right to post....

Jawbox was formed by frontman James Robbins (better known as “J. Robbins”) in 1989 after playing in the DC punk band, Government Issue. Like many east coast bands born out of the American punk & hardcore tradition, they released their first self titled Ep (1990) and their debut Lp, Grippe (1991), on the legendary label, Dischord Records.  The early Dischord releases were raw to say the least, and much of the songwriting seemed underdeveloped and sophomoric. Their second album, Novelty (1992), released on the same label, revealed the band’s potential to be one of the most significant acts of the genre.  The band recruited the seminal producer, Iain Burgess - famous teacher of Steve Albini and known most for his production work with American post-punk & noise rock groups such as Big Black and Naked Raygun. Novelty’s a classic DC album - definitely worth a listen; they even released a music video for the opening track, “Cut Off” (youtube will not allow one to embed the just mentioned video, so here’s a link: Jawbox's "Cut Off" on YouTube.  Check it out, for sure:

Jawbox's Novelty (1992)

The band’s major breakthrough was their debut major release on Atlantic Records, For Your Own Special Sweetheart (1994).  Along with the previously posted Helmet's Meantime, Quicksand's Slip,  and Hoover's Lurid Traversal..., Jawbox’s 3rd full length can easily be fit into my list of all time best Post-Hardcore albums; this one’s simply flawless from beginning to end.  And it sounds great remastered on reissued vinyl!! Outside of Helmet and Jawbox, I can think of few bands of the Post-Hardcore tradition that transitioned well from the independent music world to the pressures of the corporate recording industry.  Some of the album’s success could be credited to the recording work of famous Fugazi producer, Ted Nicely.  The album’s first single, “Savory,” saw some mainstream success, making the mtv playlists of the mid-90s. Here’s the video:

Such a simple, good song! I believe the Deftones covered it at some point.  They released a second video for their single, “Cooling Card,” as well - an equally great tune that had lesser mainstream airplay. Here’s the video:

I really love that song. My favorite track, however, has no accompanying music video; it’s called “Motorist.”  Check it out:

As said before, it’s hard to find something wrong with this album. It's not only one of the better classics of the genre's greatest music scene; It’s one of the best of the genre, altogether. This one’s for all collections; check it out in its entirety:

Jawbox's For Your Own Special Sweetheart (1994)

The band released one more self-titled full length with Atlantic in 1996 before finally disbanding in 1997.  There was one post-breakup release as well entitled My Scrapbook of Fatal Accidents (1998 Desoto Records), but nothing compares to For Your Own Special Sweetheart...  J. Robbins and guitarist, Bill Barbot, joined fellow former member of Government Issue, Peter Moffett, to form the indie rock act, Burning Airlines - a band name inspired by one of my favorite musical alchemists, Brian Eno (from his song “Burning Airlines Give You So Much More” from the album Taking Tiger Mountain By Strategy [1974 Island Records]). The band's worth a listen as well; they play tasteful, poppy rock’n’roll and released some solid 7"s with other poppier acts such as Braid and At the Drive In. I believe the band disbanded sometime in 2002; I recommend the first of their two albums, Mission: Control! (1999 Desoto Records); check it out:

Burning Airlines Mission: Control! (1999)

Emo Diaries - Entry 7: Austin, TX’s Mineral

Mineral was the emo band of Texas during the 90s. Formed in Houston in 1994, they quickly relocated to Austin where they were active until 1998. During that time they released several singles, appeared on some influential emo compilations, and recorded 2 albums, The Power of Failing (1997 Crank! Records) and EndSerenading (1998 Crank! Records). They were trailblazers of the genre; many of the conventions (and now cliches) of popular emo culture were first being developed by these guys. The “soft/loud structure,” the melodic guitar lines, and the off-key, emotional vocals defined these Texan, Christian rockers’ sound.

Their first album, The Power of Failing, is right up there with Braid, Cap’n Jazz, and the other 90s legends of the emo scene, and it stands distinctly apart from those Midwesterners in style and mood as well. It’s darker, less frantic, yet sadder in its exploration of human emotion. Here's the song "Gloria" from their debut release:

That's a great song, but at times, I do wonder about this album. Is this record the beginning of the overly sappy, self-obsessed cry-fest that emo has sadly become in the decadent Fin-de-Siecle age of the 20th century? God, I loath the current state of Emo Rock and for reasons that get back to the conventions first developed by this influential rock band. Here's some excellent songs from the album that, despite their greatness, demonstrate the turn towards self-obsessed emotional decadence. The first one is "If I Could" and the latter track is called "Parking Lot":

Unlike their later imitators, Mineral was an amazing band, definitely worth adding to the library - especially their debut. The members went on to form other significant Emo bands of the early 2000s, most notably The Gloria Record and Pop Unknown, which are also worth a listen for most Emo enthusiasts. Enjoy!

http://www.mediafire.com/?ntldyzddaiy

Omaha’s Cursive Wishes You a Happy New Year!

Cursive says, Happy New Year!!

“Break in the New Year” on Cursive’s The Storms of Early Summer: Semantics of Song (1998 Saddle Creek Records)

Cursive was a really great Emo band of the late 90s; I know, they’re still together, but their music has changed drastically. They play much more commercial friendly Indie Rock these days, but their early material was some really good emotively dissonant rock n’ roll. The band formed in 1995 in Omaha, Nebraska and released their second album, The Storms of Early Summer: Semantics of Song (Saddle Creek Records) in 1998, shortly after they temporarily broke up. It’s their best release in my opinion. The above song is great along with many others. Here’s my favorite track “A Little Song and Dance”:

Check out the whole album and definitely add this one to the list of greatest Emo acts of the late 1990s... it’s an essential. Have a Happy New Year and enjoy the music!

http://www.mediafire.com/?tttjjdg1yiy

Emo Diaries - Entry 6: Selections of Midwestern 90s Emo - Christie Front Drive, Boy’s Life, Proudentall, & Split Lip

Denver's Christie Front Drive

Christie Front Drive was an Emo Rock band that formed in 1993 in Denver, CO.  The band was fronted by the indie rocker, Eric Richter, who has continued to play and release music, most notably the groups Antarctica, The 101, and currently Golden City. Other members have continued to play in various projects as well. The band’s career was relatively short-lived, for they broke up by 1997 and released 1 self-titled Ep, several 7”s, and 1 posthumous full-length entitled Stereo (1997 Caulfield Records).  The full-length album was recently remastered and re-released in 2010 on Magic Bullet Records. 

The band was one of the great staples of the 90s Emo renaissance, up there with previously posted legends such as Braid, Cap’n Jazz, and others, and the album, Stereo, is an absolute essential for all rock collections.  I couldn’t find any studio-tracks on YouTube, but here’s some live footage of the 2nd track off the full length, “Radio”:

The show must be a reunion concert.  Here’s another classic performed at the same show; it’s the track “Seven Day Candle,” also found on their posthumous Lp:

Christie Front Drive was a major influence on the genre; it’s a must have for appreciators of 90s Emo Rock...

http://www.mediafire.com/?ecegnyxdfob

Kansas City's Boy's Life

Boy’s Life was an Emo band out of Kansas City, Missouri that formed in 1993; they actively released records until 1996, including 2 albums, Boy’s Life (1995 Crank! Records) and Departures and Landfalls (1996 Headhunter/Cargo), several 7”s, and a split Ep with the above Christie Front Drive (1996 Crank! Records).  The band had a short, but prolific, recording career, and members went on to participate in other significant projects, such as Canyon (a band that featured a member from the previously posted-about group, Crownhate Ruin) and Lullaby for the Working Class (a supergroup of sorts which featured members of Cursive and Bright Eyes). Both full lengths are great, but their first self-titled release is a definite essential.  Here’s the opening track, “Golf Hill Drive”:

And the album keeps rockin’.  The 2nd song doesn’t drag the pace at all. It’s called “Tucked In”; check it out:

Boy’s Life seems closely connected in both sound and spirit to the roots of modern, 90s Emo: DC Post-Hardcore.  I hear a lot of Fugazi influence here, for sure.  Check out the next track on the self-titled album, “A Quarter’s Worth”:

What great start to an amazing album. Definitely listen to the entire release; it’s a quality rock record.

Boy's Life Self-Titled

Kansas City's Proudentall

Proudentall was a another Midwest Emo group from Kansas City, MO that formed in 1996. They played their first live show with the aforementioned Boy’s Life and continued to tour with other legends of the 90s Emo era.  Like much music of the KC scene, their songs are mathy, at times noisy, as well as emotional.  They released some 7”s, one being a split with the Anniversary, and one full length album, What’s Happening Here (2000 Caulfield Records).  The album displayed great promise, but the band broke up unfortunately shortly thereafter.  I could not find music samples on YouTube or BandCamp, so I have no video preview to provide; I apologize.  I recommend taking a risk on this; check out the link.  A highlight on the album for me is the track, “Untitled with Mike and B”; it reminds me of the previously posted Sharks Keep Moving.

What's Happening Here

Indiana's Split Lip

Split Lip was a Midwestern Emo band of the 90s that formed in Indianapolis, Indiana around 1990.  Like many bands of their milieu, they started as a straight-edge group with an unimpressively typical sound of late 80s hardcore.  In the early years they were grouped with bands like Endpoint, Youth of Today, Gorilla Biscuits, Bold, etc.  Once the band signed with Emo-oriented label, Doghouse Records, their sound evolved melodically and emotionally, putting them at the forefront of the 90s Emo Rock phenomenon. They released their first full length in 1993, For the Love of the Wounded (Doghouse Records), an album that helped define a new generation of emo-core conventions; their breakthrough release, however, was the sophomore full length, Fate’s Got a Driver (1995 Doghouse Records); the record dramatically influenced the upcoming generation of Doghouse emo bands (I’m thinking of groups like the Get Up Kids, here...)  Here’s the great opening track, “Her Side of Sundown,” from their the album, Fate’s Got a Driver:

Shortly after, however, the band changed both their name and their sound, calling themselves Chamberlain and opting to explore more country-influenced music.  The band’s new name was taken from a Split Lip song off the same album as the above track:

Chamberlain re-recorded the last Split Lip Lp to reflect their newly decided direction in musical composition; personally, I prefer the rawer, more emotive Split Lip version (and I do like Alt-Country bands...).  Chamberlain remained active until 2000, and members have continued to play and record in the music scene.  Drummer, Charlie Walker, apparently participated in side project, Institute, with Bush’s Gavin Rossdale, and now plays with another legendary, emo-punk band, Samiam.  Both Adam Rubenstein and David Moore have released solo albums as well.  Both Split Lip and Chamberlain are good rock bands worth checking out.

Fate's Got a Driver

Chamberlain 1996-2000 - Part 1

Chamberlain 1996-2000 - Part 2

Emo Diaries - Entry 5: More on Northeastern Emo of the Late 90s - Rainer Maria, Jejune, Penfold, & Garden Variety

Rainer Maria was an Emo band originally from Madison, Wisconsin that eventually moved to the indie rock mecca, Brooklyn, NY.  And yes, we have another poetry reference here (last time being Jazz June’s source for a band name...); Rainer Maria were named after the great Modernist master of Germany, Rainer Maria Rilke.  From 1995 to 2006, the band released several Eps and 5 full length albums, mostly on Polyvinyl Records.  What I love about this band is the dual male/female vocals, and for this reason, I recommend listening to the earlier material.  Caithlin De Marrais gradually became more of the primary singer as the band developed over the years.  My favorite release is the album, Look Now Look Again (1999 Polyvinyl); it might be the happiest emo album in my collection.  It’s simply awesome.  I really love this album, so I’m going to share several songs here.  Check em’ out:

"Broken Radio":

"Breakfast of Champions":



"The Reason the Night is Long":

Over the years, their music became poppier, more polished, and more suited to the indie rock culture of the time.  If you like Mates of State, for instance, check out the later work of Rainer Maria as well.

Look Now Look Again

Another great late 90s, male/female dual vocals Emo band was Jejune; they formed sometime before 1996, not sure of the exact year here, and they met at music school in Boston at Berklee College.  I remember when these guys and gals toured through Tx with Jimmy Eat World, with whom they released a split 7” in 1998.  That split was the first recording I had heard by these guys, but after their tour, I quickly bought their 2nd album, This Afternoon’s Malady (1998 Big Wheel Recreation), a release that already indicated a departure from a strictly Emo sound.  At times, their songs are mellow indie-pop, while at other moments they escalate into loud, dissonant wails of emotion.  The band’s run was short-lived, but they released 3 albums, all on Big Wheel Recreation, and several 7” splits (bands like Garden Variety and Jimmy Eat World) before disbanding in early 2000.  This Afternoon’s Malady is technically the only studio album; both Junk (1997 Big Wheel Recreation) and RIP (2000 Big Wheel Recreation) were actually collections of demos that outlined the vision for eventual studio productions.  For this reason, start with the sophomore release.  Here’s the 2nd track from the album; it’s called “Coping with Senility (Lowlife Owns a Pen)”:

They had a penchant for the mellow-loud dynamic; they almost sounded shoegazey at times.  Here’s another song from the same album; it's entitled “Regrets are Unanswered Dreams”:

I believe they have continued to be active in various projects, but I am completely ignorant of any of that latter activity.   Jejune's a great band, definitely worth checking out.

This Afternoon's Malady

Jersey's Penfold

Penfold was an Emo band from New Jersey that formed sometime in the mid 90s; I’m not sure on the exact year of formation, but they were definitely active by 1996.  The band released 2 albums, Amateurs and Professionals (1999 Milligram Records) and Our First Taste of Escape (2001 Milligram Records), and a 7”, Your Eyes Have All the Answers (1997 Hearts Down Recordings), before calling it quits in 2003. It seems like people most frequently compare these guys to Mineral, which means less Midwest pop-y-ness and more slowed-down, sad reflections with the whole “soft/loud” dynamic going on. Here’s the opening track from their debut full length, Amateurs and Professionals; the song is entitled “June”:

The song does seem like a more polished version of an early Mineral tune (a band I’ll post on later when reviewing Emo rock of the Tx tradition...).  In fact, I bet these guys would like it:

At times, Penfold flirts with the cheesier side of Emo Rock, but they’re worth checking out, especially the first release.  It's a raw recording of emotion that's both mellow and loud, a good record that anticipates what unfortunately becomes an overdone melodrama whose victims are the above lost souls.  

Amateurs and Professionals

Long Island's Garden Variety

Garden Variety was an Emo group from Long Island, NY that formed in 1991 and were active until 1996.  They released several 7”s, splits (with bands like the previously mentioned Texas is the Reason and Jejune), and 2 full lengths, Garden Variety (1993 Gern Blandsten) and Knocking the Skill Level (1995 Cargo/Headhunter).  Their 2nd Lp received much attention and praise, resulting in a mainstream music video and some media attention.  The member, Anthony Roman, went on to record with the previously posted Rockets Red Glare; he also formed the current dance-punk/eclectro-clash group, Radio 4.  I’m not a big fan of the whole “dance-punk” revival thing, so I haven’t listened to his current project that much.  Here’s the music video for “Harbored,” the hit from their album Knocking the Skill Level:

Their sophomore release, Knocking the Skill Level (1995 Cargo/Headhunter) is a 90s Emo classic; definitely worth a listen.  Enjoy and feel free to comment!

Knocking the Skill Level

A Different Side of 90s Emo Rock: the Noise Experiments of Arizona's Half Visconte

Half Visconte was a mid 90s Emo/Math Rock band from Arizona that played and released music between 1996-2000. They released one self-titled studio Ep (1999 Sentry Press) and one full length Was It Fear (2002 Sunset Alliance; recorded in 2000, however...) during their short musical run. Half Visconte was more experimental than the other projects labeled Emo during their time. Their music was spacey and jazzy, at other moments loud, angular, and dissonant; I think of Rockets Red Glare, for instance. One could easily label this Math Rock or Post Rock; it’s noisy and melodic and defies any singular label, for sure. There is a lot of improvisation in their music, their greatest example of this being their 24 minute track “Thug Baldwin” on their self-titled Ep. That’s a must listen; in fact, their Ep is my favorite release, but the album, Was It Fear, is great as well. Here’s the track, “Money Shot,” from the debut full length:

The album is much more polished and melodic than the Ep. The self-titled release explores more improvisational noise-making and downplays melody. Here’s the monumental 24 minute, “Thug Baldwin”; give it a listen if you have the time:

Ok, so I just noticed that my link is off; that was another great track off their Ep: "The Do Nothing."  BandCamp doesn't seem to allow me to link the conclusive magnum opus, so if interested, listen to the rest of the Ep at the following link:

http://halfvisconte.bandcamp.com/album/half-visconte

They can definitely take it out there, but they can write some really great 4 minute rock tunes as well. Definitely check them out.

self-titled: http://www.mediafire.com/?thdg2m2immy

was it fear: http://www.mediafire.com/?tjhztnnjjwy

Emo Diaries - Entry 4: More Essentials of the 90s Emo Renaissance - The Jazz June, Texas is the Reason, Piebald, & Kid Kilowatt

I want to do some more entries on the 90s phase of Emo rock; call it my attempt at intervention for lost souls such as these:

Or maybe I'm trying to reach out to this guy:

All I know is it probably won't work, but that doesn't stop me from trying... So let's approach this according to region, and we'll start with the Northeast.

Northeastern 90s Emo Rock -

1st Stop: Kutztown, PA's The Jazz June:

The Jazz June was an Emo band that formed in 1996 in Kutztown, PA; they released several albums and Eps before disbanding by 2002. The group has reunited for the occasional show, most notably a benefit tour in 2007 for a friend that fell victim to Cancer.  I’m guessing the band is named after the famous Gwendolyn Brooks poem, “We Real Cool,” a work that is nicely concise and worth quoting:

We real cool. We

Left school. We

Lurk late. We

Strike straight. We

Sing sin. We

Thin gin. We

Jazz June. We

Die soon.

-Gwendolyn Brooks 1959

From 1997 to 2002, the band released 4 studio albums, as well some 7"s, and my favorite of the four is their third, The Medicine (2000 Initial Records; I know! It’s not technically 90s.... so what!).  The only studio-version track I could find from the record on YouTube was the song, “Death from Above”:

Great Song with some real mathy guitar riffs.  Personally, I love the opening track of the album, "Viva la Speed Metal"; here's a live video of the song:

Jazz June’s a great band.  Honestly, I’m largely ignorant of any activity of the members after Jazz June’s run.  If anyone knows of later projects involving the members, please drop me a line.  I would be very interested to hear their musical development thereafter. 

The Medicine

NY's Texas is the Reason

An unfortunately short-lived 90s Emo project that proved giants in terms of influence was the band Texas is the Reason.  They were active from 1991 to 1996, and like many Emo groups of the 90s, they came together in the local hardcore scene; one member was formerly a part of the legendary NYHC band 108.  I believe members were all part of the obnoxious macho, Hare Krishna hardcore scene, which is interesting because TitR are not macho at all; their music is sensitive Emo rock at its best.  The band released 1 Ep, 2 splits, and only 1 full length, Do You Know Who You Are? (1996 Revelation Records); the album is probably my favorite release in the Revelation Records catalogue, produced by Jawbox’s J. Robbins and hailed by countless rock groups as a defining influence.  Here’s the excellent opening track, “Johnny on the Spot,” from their sole full length:

That’s quintessential 90s Emo Pop.  Another favorite of most Emo enthusiasts is the song, “Back and to the Left”:

The group disbanded while on a European tour, but members moved on to other equally significant projects, most notably the supergroup Jets to Brazil (members of Jawbreaker and Helmet as well...).

http://www.mediafire.com/?84b47ifdttn

Boston, MA's Piebald

Piebald was an Emo Rock/Pop Punk band that actually formed in Andover, Mass. in 1994 and later moved to Boston.  The group remained active until as recently as 2008 (I believe they played a reunion show in 2010...).  The band came out of the same scene as Converge, Cave In, and others, and naturally, their early sound leaned more towards hardcore than rock.  As the band matured, however, they became more melodic and more clever in their writing. Over the years, they released several Eps, splits, and full lengths that showcase a career of significant growth and transformation. Their breakthrough album, however, was most definitely If It Weren’t For Venetian Blinds, It Would Be Curtains For Us All (1999 Big Wheel Recreation). 

Here’s a video of the song “We Believe in Karma”:

That’s a great tune; it could be just as easily classified as quality Pop Punk.  Their song structures and time signatures, however, are way too complex to be described simply as  a derivative of punk.  The band really became a mainstream hit with their 2002 release, We Are the Only Friends We Have (Big Wheel Recreation/Defiance Records).  

Their biggest hit off the release is most definitely their classic song of solidarity, “American Hearts”:

“Hey, You’re Part of It!!”  Piebald was a great rock band; definitely check them out.

If It Weren't For Venetian Blinds

We Are the Only Friends We Have

Another MA Classic: Kid Kilowatt

I mentioned the group, Cave In, earlier, one of the legends of MA music scene. In the mid-late 90s, members Stephen Brodsky and Adam McGrath joined Converge member, Kurt Ballou, and Aaron Stuart from the just mentioned Piebald to form the late 90s supergroup, Kid Kilowatt.  They released only one album, Guitar Method, on Second Nature Recordings, and although the band played from ’96 to ’97, the album was not released until 2003.  The album was a “softer outlet” for Cave In, says Steve Brodsky, which obviously did not fill the void, for Cave In soon cashed in its metal licks for progressive, art rock antics that made me yearn for the days of Beyond Hypothermia & Until Your Heart Stops.  Kid Kilowatt is great late 90s Emo Rock done by seasoned veterans of the various post-hardcore traditions.  Unfortunately, being the supergroup they were, the band had little time to play shows and develop their sound, and the band quickly disintegrated.  Here’s the track, “7th Inning Song Formation”:

A short-lived supergroup that’s definitely worth checking out....

Guitar Method

There's more "Emo" postings to come; I have many more bands to share from the Northeast region as well as from the Midwest and South.  Enjoy those for now; I know these two will...