Short Round

Jason Thinh, also a member of the Chinkees, fronts Short Round on guitar and vocals from the band’s base in Milpitas, CA, alongside bassist Nate Higley and drummer Randall. Drawing from Jawbreaker, Bikini Kill, and Pavement, the trio fuses melodic punk-pop with propulsive touches of ska, funk, and alternative pop. Soon after forming, the group delivered its first live performances, unleashing energetic and forceful material on stage. In 2000 Short Round tracked its initial release with Jamie Stewart handling production and mixing duties. Second Rate Records put out the Easy Target EP, which affirmed the band’s rocking promise and cleared the path for a full-length effort. Two years after that debut EP, the California outfit—now featuring James Leste on drums—issued its first album, Language, on Asian Man Records, showcasing polished and tuneful punk-pop songs. Limited touring ensued, yet by fall 2004 both Leste and Higley had exited to concentrate on Push to Talk, leaving Thinh to recruit replacements.