Biography
Independently minded and steeped in classic D.I.Y. punk values, the West Coast punk-pop trio Jawbreaker distinguished themselves from peers such as Green Day and blink-182 through their street-smart yet poetic lyrics, energetic musicianship, and extended live performances. Following several EPs and singles, guitarist/singer Blake Schwarzenbach, bassist Chris Bauermeister, and drummer Adam Pfahler issued the band’s first full-length album, Unfun, in 1989. The San Francisco independent label Tupelo/Communion signed them the next year and put out Bivouac in 1991 along with the breakthrough album 24 Hour Revenge Therapy in 1993.
When the first of a three-record agreement with DGC arrived in 1995, listeners divided over the trio’s major-label shift and sudden visibility. Jawbreaker pressed ahead regardless, delivering the influential Dear You—a forceful blend of punk, grunge, and emo that opened doors for acts including Jimmy Eat World and Dashboard Confessional. The group ultimately split in the late ’90s, after which 2002’s Etc., a compilation of all non-album tracks, stood as their final statement. Blackball reissued Dear You in 2004.
When the first of a three-record agreement with DGC arrived in 1995, listeners divided over the trio’s major-label shift and sudden visibility. Jawbreaker pressed ahead regardless, delivering the influential Dear You—a forceful blend of punk, grunge, and emo that opened doors for acts including Jimmy Eat World and Dashboard Confessional. The group ultimately split in the late ’90s, after which 2002’s Etc., a compilation of all non-album tracks, stood as their final statement. Blackball reissued Dear You in 2004.
Albums
