Jawbreaker
24 Hour Revenge Therapy (Tupelo/Communion)
by Autumn Ober
Seeing as how I’m not one of those dime-a-dozen assholes who gets a thrill off hoarding good music, I’m about to let you in on a band you may have missed. I know there are those of you who know already (God forbid I assert my own coolness, although it’s painfully obvious in a myriad of ways) that Jawbreaker‘s the shit. But there are a few of the uninformed jaunting around in ignorance whom I feel compelled to enlighten.
Jawbreaker is a three-piece out of San Francisco, punk by definition although their lyrics are above the standard for that genre. (Ouch – had to be said.) I’ve seen ’em once, in L.A., and will continue to go and see them whenever they come within a 400 mile radius of me. (Elaboration seems uncalled for. They fucking rule, plain and simple.) So, finding myself in Boston, where too few residents know what’s up by way of California, I sent Blake (writer/guitarist) an interview, and what do you know?! He answered it promptly and completely. Here goes: Contrary to my understanding, Jawbreaker started playing together in NYC in the late ’80s, THEN went to San Francisco. I asked the “sell out” question (one of timely significance, thank you Green Day), and Blake said “We’re sponsored by Converse and if that’s a sell out, then at least our feet look good as we wade through the corporate shitstream. I’m all for just desserts.” They tour about twice a year, have played Boston with the Queers and enjoyed themselves, and are in Europe through the end of November. Their next album is written but not recorded, which leads to how their songs get written.
Blake: “I’ve been doing a lot of solo writing, but we’ll also do organic, jam-type songs, which usually end up being more adventurous and cooler live. RE: More ‘Out There.'”
Jawbreaker have recorded three full-length albums (CDs, whatever!), Unfun (Shredder), Bivouac (Tupelo/Communion), and 24 Hour Revenge Therapy (Tupelo/Communion). They’re still INDIE, in case you’re anal about it. They show up on a couple of compilations, namely Punk U.S.A. (Lookout!), and Smitten (Karate), and some others as well, which are obscure to say the least. Should you have to know and find yourself unable to hunt them down, drop me a line and I’ll fill ‘ya in. (I’ll think you’re an incompetent shithead too…)
Let’s get to the good parts, shall we?
Me: What are your hang-ups?
Him: Misinformed pettiness and cynicism, something I’m an authority on. (He spelled cynicism correctly! I’m gettin’ all warm inside!)
Me: Favorite colors, erotic zones, cigarettes, alcohol, food, sex, people you’d like to say “Fuck Me” to…
Him: Brown, Nape, Marlboros, Chianti, Pesto, Slowly with attention to detail, I’m still trying to lay our drummer. In that order. (I should add I was disappointed at not finding MYSELF on the list.)
There you have it. Jawbreaker real short and sweet. If I wasn’t so pressed for space, I’d try to sell you on ’em, but they don’t need the help really – their music makes its point. For info. write to the address on the back of the CD (they’ll answer).
