Jakob (band)
Encyclopedia
Jakob is a New Zealand
post-rock
band, based in the Hawkes Bay city of Napier
. The band consists of guitarist Jeff Boyle; bassist Maurice Beckett; and drummer Jason Johnston. They have been compared to such bands as Mogwai
, Sonic Youth
, and HDU
, though they largely eschew any vocals or samples in their songs.
bands Salmonella Dub
and Pitch Black
at the local pub O'Flaherty's. They toured extensively throughout 1999, releasing that same year a self-titled EP recorded with David Holmes at Napier's Venn Production Studios. The year 2000 brought a gig at The Event New Years party in Napier
, and the 7" single Erfo
, a limited release on the Crawlspace Records label.
Jakob returned to Venn Studios in March 2001 to record their debut album with engineer David Holmes (also known from the band Kerretta
). Subsets of Sets
was released April 2002 through New Zealand's Midium Records to good reviews and a nomination at the bNet independent music awards. Jakob continued touring with artists such as HDU
and fellow Midium artists Avotor and Meterman, as well as playing at the 2002 Big Day Out
.
A period of inactivity followed, lasting between six and eight months. The band didn't play together during that time, and for two months didn't even see each other. They regrouped in January 2003 with ideas for new songs, and spent a week at The Church studio with David Holmes. This session was ultimately scrapped, but after more rehearsal final versions of the songs were recorded over two days in March. Cale:Drew
, their second full-length album, was released in August 2003 and garnered Jakob another bNet nomination.
International touring followed in 2004, to Chicago
(where they played at studio radio station WXRT), Denmark
, and the United Kingdom
. They were well-received at every venue, and released a 7" single, Semaphore, in Europe. Also that year, they released the one-track mini-album Dominion, and played a 25 minute set at Radio New Zealand's Helen Young Studios (consisting of the songs Laburnum, Semaphore, Nice Day for an Earthquake, and Jimmy Hoffa).
2005 saw more international touring by Jakob, with the band playing at South by Southwest
in March, and Australia
in September (in support of the release of Cale:Drew
there) and again in late October (with Australian band Cog
). It also saw the release of their Diffusion
7" and Coalescence, a 12" compilation from Midium Records, featuring a track by Jakob.
Jakob played concerts all through New Zealand in August 2006 as part of the A Low Hum
tour, and released their third album Solace
in September 2006.
In April 2008 Jakob toured Europe with Isis
and The Austerity Program, and Australia with Cog
. They also completed a US tour in the second half of 2008, once again with ISIS.
During 2008 and 2009 members Jeff Boyle and Maurice Beckett worked on other projects. Maurice with his solo project Desbot, and Jeff with a project entitled Mean with H.Walker from Avotor and Kerretta. The debut Mean LP is scheduled to be released in 2011.
In March 2010, Jakob announced a four date April tour of NZ, heading in May and June to the US West Coast to support ISIS' tour once again.
Jakob are currently working on material for a new album.
In January 2011, they supported Tool
on their Australian tour.
Jakob are currently recording for the fourth studio album due to be released late 2011 or early 2012. They are recording in Auckland's Round Head Studios
¹limited to 1000 hand-numbered copies
²limited edition of 200 copies
bNet Awards (Independent)
Jakob played live at the 2001 bNet Awards.
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
post-rock
Post-rock
Post-rock is a subgenre of rock music characterized by the influence and use of instruments commonly associated with rock, but using rhythms and "guitars as facilitators of timbre and textures" not traditionally found in rock...
band, based in the Hawkes Bay city of Napier
Napier, New Zealand
Napier is a New Zealand city with a seaport, located in Hawke's Bay on the eastern coast of the North Island. The population of Napier is about About 18 kilometres south of Napier is the inland city of Hastings. These two neighboring cities are often called "The Twin Cities" or "The Bay Cities"...
. The band consists of guitarist Jeff Boyle; bassist Maurice Beckett; and drummer Jason Johnston. They have been compared to such bands as Mogwai
Mogwai
The word mogwai is the transliteration of the Cantonese word 魔怪 meaning "monster", "evil spirit", "devil" or "demon".-Mogwai/Mogui in Chinese culture:...
, Sonic Youth
Sonic Youth
Sonic Youth is an American alternative rock band from New York City, formed in 1981. The current lineup consists of Thurston Moore , Kim Gordon , Lee Ranaldo , Steve Shelley , and Mark Ibold .In their early career, Sonic Youth was associated with the No Wave art and music scene in New York City...
, and HDU
High Dependency Unit (band)
High Dependency Unit is a psychedelic rock band originating from Dunedin, New Zealand. Forming in 1994, the band was described by BBC DJ & presenter John Peel as "one of the 10 best bands in the world you've never heard of." The band consists of Tristan Dingemans , Neil Phillips and Constantine...
, though they largely eschew any vocals or samples in their songs.
History
The band formed in July 1998, and began by opening for New ZealandNew Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
bands Salmonella Dub
Salmonella Dub
Salmonella Dub are a Dub/Drum n Bass/Reggae/Roots band from Kaikoura, New Zealand. They were formed in 1991 by Andrew Penman, David Deakins and Mark Tyler...
and Pitch Black
Pitch Black (band)
Pitch Black is a New Zealand electronica band that was formed in 1997.-Discography:* 1999: Futureproof* 2000: Electronomicon* 2001: Electric Earth and Other Elements - Remixes* 2003: Flex* 2004: Ape to Angel...
at the local pub O'Flaherty's. They toured extensively throughout 1999, releasing that same year a self-titled EP recorded with David Holmes at Napier's Venn Production Studios. The year 2000 brought a gig at The Event New Years party in Napier
Napier, New Zealand
Napier is a New Zealand city with a seaport, located in Hawke's Bay on the eastern coast of the North Island. The population of Napier is about About 18 kilometres south of Napier is the inland city of Hastings. These two neighboring cities are often called "The Twin Cities" or "The Bay Cities"...
, and the 7" single Erfo
Erfo
"Erfo" is a 2000 7" Single by the New Zealand post-rock band Jakob. Its release was limited to 200, mainly sold in America....
, a limited release on the Crawlspace Records label.
Jakob returned to Venn Studios in March 2001 to record their debut album with engineer David Holmes (also known from the band Kerretta
Kerretta
Kerretta is an experimental rock band from Auckland, New Zealand. The band consists of bass player William Waters; drummer H.Walker; and guitarist David Holmes, and the band is known for the energetic and loud shows...
). Subsets of Sets
Subsets of Sets
Subsets of Sets is the 2001 debut album by New Zealand post-rock band Jakob.-Track listing:# Drive Here and Then – 4:22# I'm On Your Side – 4:19# Nice Day for an Earthquake – 5:28# Ageena – 5:49# A Moment from Different Angles – 4:05...
was released April 2002 through New Zealand's Midium Records to good reviews and a nomination at the bNet independent music awards. Jakob continued touring with artists such as HDU
High Dependency Unit (band)
High Dependency Unit is a psychedelic rock band originating from Dunedin, New Zealand. Forming in 1994, the band was described by BBC DJ & presenter John Peel as "one of the 10 best bands in the world you've never heard of." The band consists of Tristan Dingemans , Neil Phillips and Constantine...
and fellow Midium artists Avotor and Meterman, as well as playing at the 2002 Big Day Out
Big Day Out
The Big Day Out is an annual music festival held in several cities in Australia and New Zealand in late January. It started in Sydney in 1992, spread to Adelaide, Melbourne and Perth by 1993, with the Gold Coast and Auckland joining in 1994...
.
A period of inactivity followed, lasting between six and eight months. The band didn't play together during that time, and for two months didn't even see each other. They regrouped in January 2003 with ideas for new songs, and spent a week at The Church studio with David Holmes. This session was ultimately scrapped, but after more rehearsal final versions of the songs were recorded over two days in March. Cale:Drew
Cale:Drew
Cale:Drew is the 2003 album by the New Zealand post-rock band Jakob. It gets its title from the names of twins of guitarist Jeff Boyle's sister. It is dedicated to the memory of bassist Maurice Beckett's mother, who died in 2002. The album was recorded in Wellington by David Holmes most notably...
, their second full-length album, was released in August 2003 and garnered Jakob another bNet nomination.
International touring followed in 2004, to Chicago
Chicago
Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...
(where they played at studio radio station WXRT), Denmark
Denmark
Denmark is a Scandinavian country in Northern Europe. The countries of Denmark and Greenland, as well as the Faroe Islands, constitute the Kingdom of Denmark . It is the southernmost of the Nordic countries, southwest of Sweden and south of Norway, and bordered to the south by Germany. Denmark...
, and the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
. They were well-received at every venue, and released a 7" single, Semaphore, in Europe. Also that year, they released the one-track mini-album Dominion, and played a 25 minute set at Radio New Zealand's Helen Young Studios (consisting of the songs Laburnum, Semaphore, Nice Day for an Earthquake, and Jimmy Hoffa).
2005 saw more international touring by Jakob, with the band playing at South by Southwest
South by Southwest
South by Southwest is an Austin, Texas based company dedicated to planning conferences, trade shows, festivals and other events. Their current roster of annual events include: SXSW Music, SXSW Film, SXSW Interactive, SXSWedu, and SXSWeco and take place every spring in Austin, Texas, United States...
in March, and Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
in September (in support of the release of Cale:Drew
Cale:Drew
Cale:Drew is the 2003 album by the New Zealand post-rock band Jakob. It gets its title from the names of twins of guitarist Jeff Boyle's sister. It is dedicated to the memory of bassist Maurice Beckett's mother, who died in 2002. The album was recorded in Wellington by David Holmes most notably...
there) and again in late October (with Australian band Cog
Cog (band)
Cog are an Australian progressive rock band that formed in 1998. Their debut album The New Normal was nominated for Triple J's 2005 J Award. The band's music draws influences from Tool, Isis, Nina Simone, Bob Marley, Leftfield, Deftones and Helmet...
). It also saw the release of their Diffusion
The Diffusion of Our Inherent Situation
"The Diffusion of Our Inherent Situation" is the 2005 7" single by the New Zealand post-rock band Jakob. It is the second single off their album Cale:Drew, after Semaphore.-Track listing:#The Diffusion of Our Inherent Situation 6:12#Resounding 5:08...
7" and Coalescence, a 12" compilation from Midium Records, featuring a track by Jakob.
Jakob played concerts all through New Zealand in August 2006 as part of the A Low Hum
A Low Hum
A Low Hum is the on-going project founded by photographer and music impresario Blink , and is based in Wellington, New Zealand. Under the umbrella A LOW HUM, Blink organises tours, releases records, makes music videos, organises one-off events/festivals and publishes magazines & books...
tour, and released their third album Solace
Solace (Jakob album)
Solace is the third album by the New Zealand post-rock band Jakob. It was released in New Zealand on September 11, 2006.-Track listing:# "Malachite" – 6:34# "Pneumonic" – 5:34# "Lonesome" – 8:00# "Oran Mor" – 5:16# "Safety in Numbers" – 7:53...
in September 2006.
In April 2008 Jakob toured Europe with Isis
Isis (band)
Isis was a Los Angeles, California-based post-metal band, founded in Boston, Massachusetts, with a career spanning from 1997 to 2010...
and The Austerity Program, and Australia with Cog
Cog (band)
Cog are an Australian progressive rock band that formed in 1998. Their debut album The New Normal was nominated for Triple J's 2005 J Award. The band's music draws influences from Tool, Isis, Nina Simone, Bob Marley, Leftfield, Deftones and Helmet...
. They also completed a US tour in the second half of 2008, once again with ISIS.
During 2008 and 2009 members Jeff Boyle and Maurice Beckett worked on other projects. Maurice with his solo project Desbot, and Jeff with a project entitled Mean with H.Walker from Avotor and Kerretta. The debut Mean LP is scheduled to be released in 2011.
In March 2010, Jakob announced a four date April tour of NZ, heading in May and June to the US West Coast to support ISIS' tour once again.
Jakob are currently working on material for a new album.
In January 2011, they supported Tool
Tool (band)
Tool is an American rock band from Los Angeles, California. Formed in 1990, the group's line-up has included drummer Danny Carey, guitarist Adam Jones, and vocalist Maynard James Keenan. Since 1995, Justin Chancellor has been the band's bassist, replacing their original bassist Paul D'Amour...
on their Australian tour.
Jakob are currently recording for the fourth studio album due to be released late 2011 or early 2012. They are recording in Auckland's Round Head Studios
Albums
- Subsets of SetsSubsets of SetsSubsets of Sets is the 2001 debut album by New Zealand post-rock band Jakob.-Track listing:# Drive Here and Then – 4:22# I'm On Your Side – 4:19# Nice Day for an Earthquake – 5:28# Ageena – 5:49# A Moment from Different Angles – 4:05...
(2001) - Cale:DrewCale:DrewCale:Drew is the 2003 album by the New Zealand post-rock band Jakob. It gets its title from the names of twins of guitarist Jeff Boyle's sister. It is dedicated to the memory of bassist Maurice Beckett's mother, who died in 2002. The album was recorded in Wellington by David Holmes most notably...
(2003) - SolaceSolace (Jakob album)Solace is the third album by the New Zealand post-rock band Jakob. It was released in New Zealand on September 11, 2006.-Track listing:# "Malachite" – 6:34# "Pneumonic" – 5:34# "Lonesome" – 8:00# "Oran Mor" – 5:16# "Safety in Numbers" – 7:53...
(2006)
Featured
- "Method", track on Coalescence compilation (2005)
- "Semaphore (demo)" and "Pneumonic (Avotor remix)", tracks on A Flip and Two Twisters compilation (2007)
- "Oran Mor (remix)" Remix and reworked by Klute and features on the limited to 300 copies 12" vinyl Effectuation compilation (2008)
Singles
- ErfoErfo"Erfo" is a 2000 7" Single by the New Zealand post-rock band Jakob. Its release was limited to 200, mainly sold in America....
² (2000) - Semaphore (2004)
- The Diffusion of Our Inherent SituationThe Diffusion of Our Inherent Situation"The Diffusion of Our Inherent Situation" is the 2005 7" single by the New Zealand post-rock band Jakob. It is the second single off their album Cale:Drew, after Semaphore.-Track listing:#The Diffusion of Our Inherent Situation 6:12#Resounding 5:08...
(2005)
¹limited to 1000 hand-numbered copies
²limited edition of 200 copies
Awards
Jakob has been nominated for a number of New Zealand awards:bNet Awards (Independent)
- 2001 - Best New Artist, Best Rock Album, Best Live Act
- 2002 - Best Album, for Subsets of Sets; Best Rock/Pop Release; Best Independent Release; Best New Act
- 2004 - Best Rock Release, for Cale:Drew
- 2005 - Best Live Act
Jakob played live at the 2001 bNet Awards.
External links
- jakob.co.nz Official Website
- midiumrecords.com Label Website
- myspace.com/jakobmusic MySpace Page
- http://midiumrecords.com/tours.php Tour Information