I made a new mixtape of amazing emo/midwest/indie/punk bands, all these songs are great for rainy days and lazy afternoons. If you enjoy the music on this mix tape, support the artists by purchasing their albums or songs, attending their shows if they come to your town and buying their merch. It really does help!
Also I decided to create FACEBOOK PAGE(Behind Punk), that make it easier to find all updates/news/interviews/etc.
Well i guess i just never mentioned about emo music here(except the emo diaries), but it will not be something new, just the memories for me. Quality nostalgia thread this week.
Cap' N Jazz
Cap'n Jazz is the core of all emo music. Although being short lived, they were highly influential, Cap'n Jazz helped transform emo from a deeply underground punk subgenre into a more widely accepted subset of indie rock.
Cap'n Jazz is one of my favorite bands of all time. Anytime I need to feel something out, a pick me up, or just want to get my mind off things, I almost always invariably turn my iPod to Analphabetapolothology.
Cap'n Jazz were an emo/punk band formed in the early 1990's in Buffalo Grove, IL by high school friends Tim Kinsella (vocals), Victor Villareal (guitar), and Sam Zurick (bass), along with Tim's younger brother Mike (drums). The band released a couple of EPs and appeared on several local compilations before adding Milwaukee native Davey vonBohlen on second guitar in 1994.
Their discography was as scant as it was rare, but that very obscurity helped build their underground legend through word of mouth, until a double-CD retrospective was finally issued several years after their breakup. By that time, most of the members had moved on to other, better-known emo bands, most notably Joan of Arc and the highly successful Promise Ring, which helped spread Cap'n Jazz's influence far beyond their original audience.
The group released their lone LP in the spring of 1995 and broke up while on tour later than summer. Their last show was in Little Rock, Arkansas where they broke up on the road, reportedly because Victor ended up in the hospital from overdosing and he was a trainwreck of self destructive behavior.
But what a double album it is - a sloppy, cryptic, energetic, engaging masterpiece - and it's being reissued by their erstwhile label, Jade Tree, as a double vinyl LP on June 15, 2010. To celebrate, the guys are getting the band back together for a set of reunion shows in select cities, including two sold-out shows in their hometown of Chicago.
If you've missed out on this groundbreaking band's music thus far, there's no better time than the present to check it out.
Boys 16 To 18 Years...Age Of Action 1993
Sometimes If You Stand Further Away From Something, It Does Not Seem As Big.Sometimes You Can Stand So Close To Something You Can Not Tell What You Are Looking At 1993
Friction & Cap'n Jazz "Nothing Dies With Blue Skies" 1995
Burritos, Inspiration Point, Fork Balloon Sports, Cards In The Spokes, Automatic Biographies, Kites, Kung Fu, Trophies, Banana Peels We've Sleepd On, And Egg Shells We've Tippy Toed Over 1995
The Promise Ring
What can i say something new about this unique band, when all is said and done? Computers are crazy these days, you can find info everywhere..... But I just couldn't help but mention about The Promise Ring.
When I think about 1997, I think about The Promise Ring. No, I never saw them live. No, I probably never drove long nights listening to them, BUT I think I spent hours in my room listening to these albums. It was a very time and place band for me. Nothing Feels Good got constant play in my room; it matches almost any mood. Must have been good for those melancholy afternoons. And The Promise Ring was instrumental in helping me find good music. I feel bad for people who haven't listened to this band.
Most people associate Maritime with who they used to be: Emo pioneers The Promise Ring. Maritime is pretty sweet as well. Not nearly as good as The Promise Ring, but still awesome. And I have to admit, at times this is precisely why I listened to them in the first place and have continued to pay attention to them over the years. Yeah they put out 2 really good records since their debut but it felt like they hadn’t quite reached their potential yet. Maritime began as 1/2 The Promise Ring - Davey and Dan with 1/3 The Dismemberment Plan Eric Axelson. One would expect similarities to The Promise Ring - however Davey and Dan managed to create a unique sound of indie pop. The debut EP titled Adios was released in 2003 of Foreign Leisure - the bands own label. The EP was just a start up for the full length premier of The Glass Floor - a witty, earnest display of pop punk - very clear a new beginning for members coming from prestigious bands.
"Maritime formed in 2003 out of the ashes of The Promise Ring and The Dismemberment Plan. After these two bands broke up, singer/guitarist Davey von Bohlen, drummer Dan Didier (of The Promise Ring) and bassist Eric Axelson (of The Dismemberment Plan) hooked up and started a band called In English. The group quickly signed a deal with the record label, ANTI-, and hired J. Robbins to produce their record. Robbins had previously produced records for both The Promise Ring and The Dismemberment Plan. After delivering the record to ANTI-, the label heads decided to pass on the record. The band changed their name to Maritime and signed with DeSoto Records. The band went on tour and self-released an EP called Adios on their own label, Foreign Leisure. On April 1, 2004 the band released their debut full-length album, Glass Floor on Desoto Records. On February 6, 2006, Eric Axelson announced he was leaving the band. He was replaced on bass guitar by Justin Klug. Their second album, We, the Vehicles, was released April 18, 2006, on Flameshovel Records to wide critical acclaim. Their third album, Heresy and the Hotel Choir, was released October 16, 2007 also on Flameshovel Records in the US and was released on Grand Hotel van Cleef in Germany on October 12, 2007, who also released Martime´s other two albums in Europe. "Guns of Navarone" was the first single from the new album."
So after taking a long uncharacteristic hiatus, they finally released Human Hearts. While the other albums were important stepping stones of self-discovery, I think this record is the pinnacle of what they’ve been moving towards… and it only took a 4 year break. "Annihilation Eyes" may be the best song they've ever recorded and this record is more balanced between upbeat and slower songs than in the past and the result is probably their best work yet…
It was a great weekend, all of it, the whole thing was wonderful. Nowadays I have a pretty comfortable life. I have some a problem with work and i don't know how to fix it? But i'm really happy and listened all those bands last week. The memories. Hell, this list could go on forever-Owls, American Football, Joan of Arc, Jets to Brazil, Braid, Texas is the Reason, Boys Life, etc. The emo has an amazing scene right now (as always) and a lot of incredible bands popping up, I would definitely check out By Surprise, Footnotes, Snowing, You Blew It, Summit, Everyone Everywhere, Grown Ups. Hell, so many awesome bands!
Bridge and Tunnel really good punk/post hardcore that gets stuck in your head for days. Great music with fantastically unique vocals. I could use a lot of other platitudes here and as true as they might be, you should really listen to their music and decide for yourself. Thanks to Pat of B&T for taking the time out to answer some questions.
Hey Pat. How are you?
- Hey! Im actually listening to American Steel right now. There is this one part in the song "Safe and Sound" off their last record that breaks and it sounds like an 80's song. I kind of like it. ha.
Right then, first things first, please introduce yourselves and members of the band to our readers.
- Well I'm pat, I play drums. Jeff and Rachel play guitar and sing and Alison plays bass and sings.
When did Bridge and Tunnel start and how did it begin? Why did you choose the band name Bridge and Tunnel?
- We started playing in 2006, Me and Jeff had been in bands together growing up on Long Island and we were both buddies with Tia so we asked her to join. Then we all kind of knew Rachel from other bands and shows around LI so we figured we would all just try and get together and play. It was cool because most of us had kind of different musical interests that all overlapped a little. The name took a bit, basically "Bridge and Tunnel" is what they call people that come into the city from outer places...like Long Island because they need to take the bridge or tunnel to get there. Being how we all grew up outside the city and now all live in either Brooklyn or Queens, it kind of made sense.
Other than Bridge and Tunnel, what other bands/projects are you all involved with?
- Jeffs other band Thousandaires just recently broke up, I sometimes play in another band called Stolen Parts but we dont do very much because all the other dudes have real jobs and Rachel plays bass in Zombie Dogs and once in a while her old band Each Others Mothers will play a show.
You guys started working on new material. What can we expect?
- We actually just finished tracking for it last week. We recorded with J. Robbins in Baltimore MD which was really great. It's for a full length that should be out sometime before September on No Idea. I think the songs are rad and I'm really excited for it to be out, its been a while since we put out a full length record.
How do you feel the record differs from your previous efforts?
- Its a little different from our last full length...some heavier songs, some lighter songs, its a good mix!
I'm assuming the new music that you're working on is going to also be released on No Idea? and may be(?) yo yo records?
- Yeah, No Idea but maybe we will do a 7" or something with Jan at YoYo before the next European tour.
So you guys are playing the Fest this year, but you also played it last year. Any memorable moments from last year?
- Yup we will be there this year. We played last year but Rachel had a broken hand so we just played old hardcore/punk covers and she just sang. It was interesting, Haha.
What's it like to play in multiple bands at the Fest? Is there a lot of practice in the months leading up to it?
- Well last year I just played with B&T and Stolen Parts. Our buddy Mark from Monikers filled in on bass for the Stolen Parts set, we sent him the songs a month or two before and I think the only practice he had was in his car with Ryan before we played our set. So, no...I guess there wasn't much preparation leading up to fest. Haha.
You've played a lot shows in many cities. What are the main differences between playing shows in the U.S. as opposed to European shows?
- In Europe people are usually more hospitable, even if they dont know your band. Cooking, places to sleep, beer, pretty much everything all around. Usually in the U.S its not so common to find people/places like that.
Which of your shows was the most memorable for you?
- We have been lucky enough play some really great shows and do some really rad tours. We did a tour with Propagandhi a while ago and getting to see them play every night ruled! We also got do to a few shows with Avail and they are one of my favorite bands.
Do you play mostly basements or venues? Preference?
- We usually do a decent mix of both. I think both have appealing aspects. Having a good sound system and a nice PA really helps a live performance but the intimacy of a basement show is something you usually cant get from large venue.
Do you try to go out and see things when you are in different cities?
- Of course, its not always easy with long drives and early loads in's sometimes.
What's your favorite and least favorite part about touring? How do you handle the rigors of the road?
- Personally I'm not the biggest fan of long drives, so I end up usually sleeping a lot in the van. Obviously getting to see our friends and play shows is the good part, the down time in between can be a bit rough sometimes.
What do you usually try and do when you have a couple of days off back home?
- Relax, take a shower, eat some NY pizza and bagels.
What do you do outside of Bridge and Tunnel? Do you guys have day jobs?
- Yeah. Rachel is a bike messenger, Jeff teaches at a Jewish school, Al works at a kitchen store and I work in child care. I also run a graphic design company called Twin Cuts (twincuts.net) with Jeff from Bomb the Music Industry and Dave from If You Make It (ifyoumakeit.com).
What's the scene like in New York and more generally throughout the U.S.? Any cool bands you think people should check out?
- New York always has new bands coming out. Big Eyes is a really cool band we have had the chance to play some shows with.
What have you been listening lately? What are your favorite recent releases?
- I usually listen to the same records on repeat. Banner Pilot, Iron Chic and recently, the new Laura Stevenson and The Cans record has been playing in my house a bunch.
I am a huge Latterman fan. I assume that band was at least a small influence on Bridge and Tunnel. What are some of the band’s other influences? And how would you describe your sound?
- I would say there is a good mix of early 90's emo/hardcore mixed with some Chicago style indie rock. We all really like Braid and bands like Fugazi and even Modern Life is War.
If you could do a split with any band that's currently together, what band would it be?
- For me, probably Hot Water Music or Kid Dynamite. They were two of my favorite bands growing up.
What’s the band’s opinion on file-sharing?
- Computers are crazy these days. It kind of makes sense I guess.
What does the future for Bridge and Tunnel look like?
- Hanging out, some touring, probably drinking a lot of coffee and hopefully keep putting out some new records.
How long have you been playing in bands? What's your motivation and how has it changed over the years?
- Probably since I was 16 or 17? I just enjoy making music with my friends and seeing the world. With the internet and myspace/facebook it became really easy for everyone to be in a band so I think it actually made it a bit harder booking tours. There was just so many kids doing it, it became too easy. Before that you had websites like "book your own fucking life" or you just knew people through other people. You had to mail out demos and actually make phone calls to people. As social networking became more accessible it actually made things harder for bands.
Before the end of today, what would you wish to happen?
- Not have had to work 9 hours straight but some how still get paid.
Thanks for taking time out to talk with me Pat! Anything else you'd like to add/share?
