Jawbox
Encyclopedia
Jawbox was an alternative rock
band from Washington, D.C.
, U.S.
. Its original members were J. Robbins
(vocals
/guitar
), Kim Coletta (bass guitar
) and Adam Wade
(drums
). Bill Barbot (vocals
/guitar
) and Zach Barocas (drums
) later joined the group, with Barocas replacing Wade.
, which was the longest lived of the original Washington, D.C.
punk bands. After Government Issue called it quits, Robbins formed Jawbox with Kim Coletta and Adam Wade. The trio recorded a demo cassette and their first, self-released single
(this was also the beginning of their use of the Desoto Records
rubric, which went on to become a formal, successful independent record label); inclusion of the song "Bullet Park" on the Maximumrocknroll compilation They Don't Get Paid, They Don't Get Laid, But Boy Do They Work Hard (1989) was their most widespread early exposure. They also recorded a four-song EP
, Jawbox (1990), which was incorporated into the CD release of their first album, Grippe (both released by Dischord Records
). Shortly afterwards, Bill Barbot joined the band as second guitarist and second singer. Not long after, they recorded Novelty with Iain Burgess
, and toured the USA.
Wade then left the band to play drums with Shudder to Think
, and their friend Zach Barocas was called upon to play the drums. Barocas' adoption of various stage-names caused some confusion at the time; he used the monikers Jim Schortz, El Jefe and even borrowed the name of the Japan
ese actor Takashi Shimura
. Barocas' unique drumming style is central to what became recognized as the band's signature studio and live sound following their major label debut.
Jawbox gained some notoriety in the indie music community by becoming one of only two bands to move from legendary record label Dischord Records
to a major label, when they signed to Atlantic Records
for 1994's For Your Own Special Sweetheart
(the other band was Shudder to Think
, which signed to Epic Records
). The band had a minor MTV
hit with "Savory" in 1994. A second single, "Cooling Card", was issued and received some MTV and radio play, but it wasn't as popular as "Savory".
In 1995 Jawbox released a split-live-album with Leatherface
on Your Choice Records
, produced by Tobby Holzinger with cover-artwork designed by Chris Scheuer.
The band recorded a second album for Atlantic, produced by John Agnello
, but during the sessions, Atlantic started a vanity label for alternative artists, TAG Recordings
, which had the band Fountains of Wayne
signed to it, and they transferred Jawbox to the new label. In 1996, they released the album, which was surprisingly successful and had a college radio hit with "Mirrorful" and a cover of Tori Amos
' "Cornflake Girl
", but Jawbox was eventually dropped by the label due to a perceived lack of singles on the album.
In early 1997, at the completion of the tour supporting the self-titled record, Barocas decided to move back to New York, and Jawbox called it a day. After the split, Robbins and Barbot, along with former Government Issue drummer, Pete Moffett, formed the band Burning Airlines
, which itself broke up after releasing two albums. Barbot and Coletta continue to run DeSoto Records
. Barbot is owner of Threespot, a web agency in Washington, DC. Coletta is also currently a substitute teacher at Landon School in Bethesda, MD. Barocas became a part of The Up on In which, like Burning Airlines, broke up quickly thereafter. Barocas currently lives in Brooklyn and plays in the band Bells≥. Barocas also writes poetry and publishes the online literary journal The Cultural Society. Robbins is currently part of the bands Channels
and Office of Future Plans
, and has continued to be a successful producer.
. This was their first show since early 1997 and was done to mark the reissue of their 1994 album For Your Own Special Sweetheart.
J. Robbins has also put to rest rumors of a full-fledged reunion, saying that the band will not play any concerts outside of the Late Night appearance.
In addition to taping "Savory" for their Jimmy Fallon appearance as planned, Jawbox also performed "68" and "FF=66" during their rehearsal. Footage of the extra songs was then released online.
song, Cornflake Girl
, originally released as a hidden track on 1996's Jawbox
.
Alternative rock
Alternative rock is a genre of rock music and a term used to describe a diverse musical movement that emerged from the independent music underground of the 1980s and became widely popular by the 1990s...
band from Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution....
, U.S.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. Its original members were J. Robbins
J. Robbins
James Robbins is an American rock music artist. He began his career as a bassist for Government Issue, and has also led four of his own bands: Jawbox, Rollkicker Laydown, Burning Airlines, and Channels. He was a touring bassist for Scream and played bass on the debut 7" from Jack Potential, which...
(vocals
Singing
Singing is the act of producing musical sounds with the voice, and augments regular speech by the use of both tonality and rhythm. One who sings is called a singer or vocalist. Singers perform music known as songs that can be sung either with or without accompaniment by musical instruments...
/guitar
Guitar
The guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
), Kim Coletta (bass guitar
Bass guitar
The bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
) and Adam Wade
Adam Wade (drummer)
Adam Wade Adam Wade Adam Wade (born 3 July 1968, Washington, DC, is an American drummer.He was a member of Jawbox, Shudder To Think, Sweet 75 and The Jealous Sound-External links:*Allmusic entry []*Floodwatch Music Interview, 2008*Modern Drummer...
(drums
Drum kit
A drum kit is a collection of drums, cymbals and often other percussion instruments, such as cowbells, wood blocks, triangles, chimes, or tambourines, arranged for convenient playing by a single person ....
). Bill Barbot (vocals
Singing
Singing is the act of producing musical sounds with the voice, and augments regular speech by the use of both tonality and rhythm. One who sings is called a singer or vocalist. Singers perform music known as songs that can be sung either with or without accompaniment by musical instruments...
/guitar
Guitar
The guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
) and Zach Barocas (drums
Drum kit
A drum kit is a collection of drums, cymbals and often other percussion instruments, such as cowbells, wood blocks, triangles, chimes, or tambourines, arranged for convenient playing by a single person ....
) later joined the group, with Barocas replacing Wade.
History
Robbins had played in the final incarnation of Government IssueGovernment Issue
Government Issue was an American hardcore punk band from Washington, D.C. active from 1980 to 1989. The band experienced many changes in membership during its nine-year existence, with singer John Stabb as the only consistent member in an ever-fluctuating lineup that at various times included...
, which was the longest lived of the original Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution....
punk bands. After Government Issue called it quits, Robbins formed Jawbox with Kim Coletta and Adam Wade. The trio recorded a demo cassette and their first, self-released single
Single (music)
In music, a single or record single is a type of release, typically a recording of fewer tracks than an LP or a CD. This can be released for sale to the public in a variety of different formats. In most cases, the single is a song that is released separately from an album, but it can still appear...
(this was also the beginning of their use of the Desoto Records
DeSoto Records
DeSoto Records is an American record label based in Washington, D.C. Founded in 1989, it is run by Bill Barbot and Kim Coletta, both formerly of the band Jawbox. It was first founded by members of the band Edsel to release their first single. Jawbox next used the name DeSoto for their first EP. It...
rubric, which went on to become a formal, successful independent record label); inclusion of the song "Bullet Park" on the Maximumrocknroll compilation They Don't Get Paid, They Don't Get Laid, But Boy Do They Work Hard (1989) was their most widespread early exposure. They also recorded a four-song EP
Extended play
An EP is a musical recording which contains more music than a single, but is too short to qualify as a full album or LP. The term EP originally referred only to specific types of vinyl records other than 78 rpm standard play records and LP records, but it is now applied to mid-length Compact...
, Jawbox (1990), which was incorporated into the CD release of their first album, Grippe (both released by Dischord Records
Dischord Records
Dischord Records is a Washington, D.C.-based independent record label specializing in the independent punk music of the D.C.-area music scene. The label is co-owned by Ian MacKaye and Jeff Nelson, who founded Dischord in 1980 to release Minor Disturbance by The Teen Idles...
). Shortly afterwards, Bill Barbot joined the band as second guitarist and second singer. Not long after, they recorded Novelty with Iain Burgess
Iain Burgess
Iain Burgess was a British record producer and audio engineer. He helped define the sound of the Chicago post-punk music scene in the 1980s and early '90s, working with a number of key underground bands, including Big Black, Naked Raygun, The Effigies, Get Smart!, Ministry, Bloodsport, Pegboy,...
, and toured the USA.
Wade then left the band to play drums with Shudder to Think
Shudder to Think
Shudder to Think is an American indie rock group. Formed in 1986, they released three albums on the Washington, D.C.-based label Dischord Records and were a post-hardcore band, although they drew upon a wide range of stylistic influences, including pop....
, and their friend Zach Barocas was called upon to play the drums. Barocas' adoption of various stage-names caused some confusion at the time; he used the monikers Jim Schortz, El Jefe and even borrowed the name of the Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
ese actor Takashi Shimura
Takashi Shimura
was a Japanese actor.He was born in Ikuno, Hyogo, Japan.His debut as actor was the film Akanishi Kakita and cast in the Kenji Mizoguchi's film Osaka Elegy ....
. Barocas' unique drumming style is central to what became recognized as the band's signature studio and live sound following their major label debut.
Jawbox gained some notoriety in the indie music community by becoming one of only two bands to move from legendary record label Dischord Records
Dischord Records
Dischord Records is a Washington, D.C.-based independent record label specializing in the independent punk music of the D.C.-area music scene. The label is co-owned by Ian MacKaye and Jeff Nelson, who founded Dischord in 1980 to release Minor Disturbance by The Teen Idles...
to a major label, when they signed to Atlantic Records
Atlantic Records
Atlantic Records is an American record label best known for its many recordings of rhythm and blues, rock and roll, and jazz...
for 1994's For Your Own Special Sweetheart
For Your Own Special Sweetheart
For Your Own Special Sweetheart is the third album by Washington D.C. post-hardcore band, Jawbox. It was produced by Ted Nicely, best known for his work with Fugazi. It was their first album after leaving Dischord Records to sign to Atlantic Records...
(the other band was Shudder to Think
Shudder to Think
Shudder to Think is an American indie rock group. Formed in 1986, they released three albums on the Washington, D.C.-based label Dischord Records and were a post-hardcore band, although they drew upon a wide range of stylistic influences, including pop....
, which signed to Epic Records
Epic Records
Epic Records is an American record label, owned by Sony Music Entertainment. Though it was originally conceived as a jazz imprint, it has since expanded to represent various genres. L.A...
). The band had a minor MTV
MTV
MTV, formerly an initialism of Music Television, is an American network based in New York City that launched on August 1, 1981. The original purpose of the channel was to play music videos guided by on-air hosts known as VJs....
hit with "Savory" in 1994. A second single, "Cooling Card", was issued and received some MTV and radio play, but it wasn't as popular as "Savory".
In 1995 Jawbox released a split-live-album with Leatherface
Leatherface (band)
Leatherface is a British punk rock band from Sunderland fronted by Frankie Stubbs. The band is known for an eclectic style spanning American folk music, hardcore punk and post-hardcore.-History and background:...
on Your Choice Records
Your Choice Records
Your Choice Records was a German independent record label founded in 1988 by producer Tobby Holzinger. The label specialized in independent punk music, including live releases of German and other international acts...
, produced by Tobby Holzinger with cover-artwork designed by Chris Scheuer.
The band recorded a second album for Atlantic, produced by John Agnello
John Agnello
John Agnello is a producer, recording engineer and mixer who has been involved with many albums throughout the last 25 years. Most recently, John has been involved with Kurt Vile, Sonic Youth, Sweet Apple, Dinosaur Jr...
, but during the sessions, Atlantic started a vanity label for alternative artists, TAG Recordings
TAG Recordings
TAG Recordings was an imprint of Atlantic Records started in 1996. TAG had been intended to host Atlantic's stable of alternative rock artists and capitalize on the wild popularity of alternative and grunge rock at that time. The label handled artists such as Fountains of Wayne, The Inbreds, and...
, which had the band Fountains of Wayne
Fountains of Wayne
Fountains of Wayne is an American power pop band that formed in New York City in 1996. The band consists of members Chris Collingwood, Adam Schlesinger, Jody Porter and Brian Young.-Early years:...
signed to it, and they transferred Jawbox to the new label. In 1996, they released the album, which was surprisingly successful and had a college radio hit with "Mirrorful" and a cover of Tori Amos
Tori Amos
Tori Amos is an American pianist, singer-songwriter and composer. She was at the forefront of a number of female singer-songwriters in the early 1990s and was noteworthy early in her career as one of the few alternative rock performers to use a piano as her primary instrument...
' "Cornflake Girl
Cornflake Girl
"Cornflake Girl" is a song by American singer-songwriter and musician Tori Amos. It was released as the first single from her second studio album Under the Pink. It was released on January 10, 1994 by EastWest Records in the UK and on May 5 by Atlantic Records in North America...
", but Jawbox was eventually dropped by the label due to a perceived lack of singles on the album.
In early 1997, at the completion of the tour supporting the self-titled record, Barocas decided to move back to New York, and Jawbox called it a day. After the split, Robbins and Barbot, along with former Government Issue drummer, Pete Moffett, formed the band Burning Airlines
Burning Airlines
Burning Airlines were an American rock band from Washington, D.C.. J. Robbins and Bill Barbot of Jawbox formed the band with Peter Moffett, formerly of Government Issue...
, which itself broke up after releasing two albums. Barbot and Coletta continue to run DeSoto Records
DeSoto Records
DeSoto Records is an American record label based in Washington, D.C. Founded in 1989, it is run by Bill Barbot and Kim Coletta, both formerly of the band Jawbox. It was first founded by members of the band Edsel to release their first single. Jawbox next used the name DeSoto for their first EP. It...
. Barbot is owner of Threespot, a web agency in Washington, DC. Coletta is also currently a substitute teacher at Landon School in Bethesda, MD. Barocas became a part of The Up on In which, like Burning Airlines, broke up quickly thereafter. Barocas currently lives in Brooklyn and plays in the band Bells≥. Barocas also writes poetry and publishes the online literary journal The Cultural Society. Robbins is currently part of the bands Channels
Channels (band)
Channels is a rock band. They are based in Baltimore, Maryland.Started in 2003, Channels features Jawbox and Burning Airlines frontman J. Robbins, as well as bassist Janet Morgan and drummer Darren Zentek of Kerosene 454 and Oswego....
and Office of Future Plans
Office of Future Plans
Office of Future Plans is a music project that was started in 2009 by former Government Issue, Jawbox, Burning Airlines and Channels frontman/guitarist J. Robbins. It also consists of guitarist/cellist Gordon Withers, bassist Brooks Harlan and drummer Darrek Zentek...
, and has continued to be a successful producer.
Possible reformation and Jimmy Fallon performance
On October 7, 2009 it was announced that Jawbox would reform for a one-night-only performance of "Savory" on the December 8, 2009 episode of Late Night with Jimmy FallonLate Night with Jimmy Fallon
Late Night with Jimmy Fallon is an American late-night talk show hosted by Jimmy Fallon on NBC. The show premiered on March 2, 2009, as the third incarnation of the Late Night franchise originated by David Letterman....
. This was their first show since early 1997 and was done to mark the reissue of their 1994 album For Your Own Special Sweetheart.
J. Robbins has also put to rest rumors of a full-fledged reunion, saying that the band will not play any concerts outside of the Late Night appearance.
In addition to taping "Savory" for their Jimmy Fallon appearance as planned, Jawbox also performed "68" and "FF=66" during their rehearsal. Footage of the extra songs was then released online.
Desoto buys the rights
In December 2006, Desoto Records bought the rights of Jawbox's Atlantic Records albums and put them on iTunes and eMusic, along with the Dischord albums and EPs. They also released the albums in stores under the Desoto print and put the videos for all of the major label albums on their site, including their rendition of a Tori AmosTori Amos
Tori Amos is an American pianist, singer-songwriter and composer. She was at the forefront of a number of female singer-songwriters in the early 1990s and was noteworthy early in her career as one of the few alternative rock performers to use a piano as her primary instrument...
song, Cornflake Girl
Cornflake Girl
"Cornflake Girl" is a song by American singer-songwriter and musician Tori Amos. It was released as the first single from her second studio album Under the Pink. It was released on January 10, 1994 by EastWest Records in the UK and on May 5 by Atlantic Records in North America...
, originally released as a hidden track on 1996's Jawbox
Jawbox (album)
Jawbox was the fourth and final album by Jawbox. The album was released by TAG, a subsidiary of Atlantic Records. In the months following the album's release, the band was dropped from TAG and thus from Atlantic...
.
Discography
- Jawbox ep - Dischord RecordsDischord RecordsDischord Records is a Washington, D.C.-based independent record label specializing in the independent punk music of the D.C.-area music scene. The label is co-owned by Ian MacKaye and Jeff Nelson, who founded Dischord in 1980 to release Minor Disturbance by The Teen Idles...
(1990) - GrippeGrippe (album)Grippe is the debut album from post-hardcore band, Jawbox. It was released in May 1991 on Dischord Records.Recorded throughout the year of 1990, Jawbox's first effort was generally brushed off by critics as a sloppy but promising debut...
- DischordDischord RecordsDischord Records is a Washington, D.C.-based independent record label specializing in the independent punk music of the D.C.-area music scene. The label is co-owned by Ian MacKaye and Jeff Nelson, who founded Dischord in 1980 to release Minor Disturbance by The Teen Idles...
/Fontana DistributionFontana DistributionFontana Distribution is a subsidiary of Universal Music Group that was launched in 2004, which deals in distribution, as well as in a range of sales, marketing, and back office support services, for a diverse roster of independent record labels and their artists. The company takes its name and logo...
(1991) - split 7" w/ JawbreakerJawbreaker (band)Jawbreaker was an American punk rock band active from 1986 to 1996 and considered one of the most influential acts of the early-1990s emo movement...
(1991?) - NoveltyNovelty (album)Novelty is an album from the early 90's by Jawbox. The songs "Static" and "Cutoff" were singles from the album, but only the latter had a music video.-Track listing:#"Cutoff"#"Tracking"#"Dreamless"#"Channel 3"...
- DischordDischord RecordsDischord Records is a Washington, D.C.-based independent record label specializing in the independent punk music of the D.C.-area music scene. The label is co-owned by Ian MacKaye and Jeff Nelson, who founded Dischord in 1980 to release Minor Disturbance by The Teen Idles...
/Fontana DistributionFontana DistributionFontana Distribution is a subsidiary of Universal Music Group that was launched in 2004, which deals in distribution, as well as in a range of sales, marketing, and back office support services, for a diverse roster of independent record labels and their artists. The company takes its name and logo...
(1992) - Jackpot Plus! - Dischord RecordsDischord RecordsDischord Records is a Washington, D.C.-based independent record label specializing in the independent punk music of the D.C.-area music scene. The label is co-owned by Ian MacKaye and Jeff Nelson, who founded Dischord in 1980 to release Minor Disturbance by The Teen Idles...
(1993) - The Machines: Simple Machines 7"s (1990-1993) - Simple Machines Records (1994)
- For Your Own Special SweetheartFor Your Own Special SweetheartFor Your Own Special Sweetheart is the third album by Washington D.C. post-hardcore band, Jawbox. It was produced by Ted Nicely, best known for his work with Fugazi. It was their first album after leaving Dischord Records to sign to Atlantic Records...
- Atlantic RecordsAtlantic RecordsAtlantic Records is an American record label best known for its many recordings of rhythm and blues, rock and roll, and jazz...
/Desoto RecordsDeSoto RecordsDeSoto Records is an American record label based in Washington, D.C. Founded in 1989, it is run by Bill Barbot and Kim Coletta, both formerly of the band Jawbox. It was first founded by members of the band Edsel to release their first single. Jawbox next used the name DeSoto for their first EP. It...
(1994) - Your Choice Live SeriesYour Choice RecordsYour Choice Records was a German independent record label founded in 1988 by producer Tobby Holzinger. The label specialized in independent punk music, including live releases of German and other international acts...
- Your Choice RecordsYour Choice RecordsYour Choice Records was a German independent record label founded in 1988 by producer Tobby Holzinger. The label specialized in independent punk music, including live releases of German and other international acts...
(1995)|Leatherface]]) - JawboxJawbox (album)Jawbox was the fourth and final album by Jawbox. The album was released by TAG, a subsidiary of Atlantic Records. In the months following the album's release, the band was dropped from TAG and thus from Atlantic...
- TAG RecordingsTAG RecordingsTAG Recordings was an imprint of Atlantic Records started in 1996. TAG had been intended to host Atlantic's stable of alternative rock artists and capitalize on the wild popularity of alternative and grunge rock at that time. The label handled artists such as Fountains of Wayne, The Inbreds, and...
/Atlantic RecordsAtlantic RecordsAtlantic Records is an American record label best known for its many recordings of rhythm and blues, rock and roll, and jazz...
/Desoto RecordsDeSoto RecordsDeSoto Records is an American record label based in Washington, D.C. Founded in 1989, it is run by Bill Barbot and Kim Coletta, both formerly of the band Jawbox. It was first founded by members of the band Edsel to release their first single. Jawbox next used the name DeSoto for their first EP. It...
(1996) - My Scrapbook of Fatal Accidents - Desoto RecordsDeSoto RecordsDeSoto Records is an American record label based in Washington, D.C. Founded in 1989, it is run by Bill Barbot and Kim Coletta, both formerly of the band Jawbox. It was first founded by members of the band Edsel to release their first single. Jawbox next used the name DeSoto for their first EP. It...
(1998)
External links
- Official web site
- Desoto Records
- Burning Airlines
- Channels
- Zach Barocas
- J Robbins talks about the reunion on Aural States (Oct 2009)
- Bells≥