Cap'n Jazz
Cap'n Jazz |
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Cap'n Jazz was a short-lived, but highly-influential, emo band. The group was formed in Chicago in 1989 by brothers Tim and Mike Kinsella, who were joined by Sam Zurick and Victor Villareal. After a number of name changes and the addition of guitarist Davey von Bohlen the band began to earn a cult following in the Chicago area and the Midwest.
The band recorded several singles for independent labels in the early 90's as well as contributing to several compilations. In 1995, they released their only full-length album, Burritos, Inspiration Point, Fork Balloon Sports, Cards in the Spokes, Automatic Biographies, Kites, Kung Fu, Trophies, Banana Peels We've Slipped on and Egg Shells We've Tippy Toed Over — better known as Shmap'n Shmazz — on the tiny Man with Gun label. Due to its scant availability, the disc quickly became a collector's item.
The band broke up in July 1995, shortly after Shmap'n Shmazz's release, on the night of a show at Little Rock's Das Yutes a Go-Go. In 1998, the Jade Tree label assembled a double-disc Cap'n Jazz retrospective titled Analphabetapolothology which compiles the band's complete recorded works: Shmap'n Shmazz, early singles, material from split releases, compilation tracks, unreleased demos and outtakes and several tracks from their farewell performance in Chicago.
The line up of the band included Tim Kinsella (vocals); Samuel Zurick (bass guitar); Mike Kinsella (drums, vocals); Victor Villareal (guitar, vocals); and Davey von Bohlen (guitar, vocals from 1994-95).
Although their talent and influence stands on its own, they are also notable for the significant careers that former members of the band have charted since the demise of Cap'n Jazz in 1995, most notably Make Believe, The Promise Ring, American Football, Owls, Ghosts and Vodka, Joan of Arc and Owen.
Nomenclature
Several bands have taken their names from Cap'n Jazz song titles, including Scary Kids Scaring Kids, Thousand Oaks, California based Little League, We Are Scientists, and Australian musician Adam R. Lees who plays under the name Oh Messy Life.
Discography
Compilations
- Achtung Chicago! Zwei! – compilation LP (Underdog Records, 1993).
- Nothing Dies with Blue Skies – 7” split w/ Friction (Shakefork Records, 1993).
- How the Midwest Was Won – compilation 2x7” (Subfusc Records, 1993) (Playing Field Recordings, 1993).
- Picking More Daisies - compilation 2x7” (Further Beyond Records, 1993).
- It’s a Punk Thing, You Wouldn't Understand – compilation LP (Shakefork Records, 1993).
- Ghost Dance - compilation 2x7” (Slave Cut Records, 1993).
- A Very Punk Christmas – compilation 2x7” (The Rocco Empire & Further Beyond Records, 1993).
- Punk TV – compilation LP (Red Dawg Records, 1995).
- We’ve Lost Beauty – compilation LP (File 13, 1995).
- Ooh Do I Love You – compilation 2xCD (Core For Care, 1995).
7”
- 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. – 7” (Underdog Records, 1993).
- Boys 16 to 18 Years... Age of Action - (Further Beyond Records, 1993).
Albums
- Burritos, Inspiration Point, Fork Balloon Sports, Cards In The Spokes, Automatic Biographies, Kites, Kung Fu, Trophies, Banana Peels We've Slipped On and Egg Shells We've Tippy Toed Over (Also known as Schmap’n Schmazz) - LP/CD (Man With Gun Records, 1994).
Anthology
- Analphabetapolothology – 2xCD (Jade Tree Records, 1998).