The Aquabats (often written as
The Aquabats!) are an
American rock band formed in 1994 in
Orange County, California. They have released four full-length studio albums and have toured internationally. They are best known for their
mythology, in which they claim to be
superheroes on a quest to save the world from evil through music. As a part of this mythology the band members have adopted superhero
pseudonyms and dress in matching costumes. Their eclectic live show often includes onstage "battles" with costumed foes, and the band has built up an elaborate and ever-changing backstory of their origins and adventures, along with a roster of allies and enemies. The group's lineup has fluctuated significantly throughout their career, with founding members
The MC Bat Commander and
Crash McLarson as regular fixtures.
Jimmy the Robot has also remained a longtime member, having joined the band in 1997. The Aquabats' early work was heavily rooted in the
third wave of
ska music, with touches of
surf and
punk rock. Over the years their music shifted towards more
synthesizer-based rock with a
new wave influence. Their current style blends elements of
rock and roll,
pop-punk, ska, and
synthpop.
[edit] History
[edit] 1994-1996: Formation
The Aquabats formed in 1994 in
Huntington Beach, California.
[citation needed] The band's original recording lineup consisted of
Christian Jacobs (the Caped Commander) on vocals,
Courtney Pollock (Chainsaw) and
Ben Bergeson (Ben the Brain) on
guitars,
Chad Larson (Crash McLarson) on
bass,
Boyd Terry (Catboy) and
Adam Deibert (Prince Adam) on
trumpets,
Chad Parkin (Nacho) on
organ, and
Rod Arellano (Roddy B.) on
drums. They were later joined by third guitarist
Charles Gray (Ultra Kyu). Their music was heavily rooted in surf rock, punk rock, pop, and ska, and influenced by groups such as
Devo,
Oingo Boingo,
Madness, and
The Skatalites.
[citation needed] Shortly after forming, the band began to establish their mythos, taking the above-mentioned stage names and claiming that they were superheroes from an island called Aquabania.
[citation needed] Trumpet player and original member, Boyd Terry worked for
Aleeda making
wetsuits, and using spare
rashguards and pieces of
neoprene fashioned matching costumes for the group. They recorded and released a demo known as
Revenge of the Midget punchers and began to build a local following through their energetic and eclectic live performances. They also released another demo tape at a local concert in early 1995 called the "Bat Boy" cassette.
In 1995 the band recorded their first album. It was originally intended to be another demo, but due to increased demand
[citation needed] they released it as an album through
Horchata Records under the tongue-in-cheek title
The Return of the Aquabats. It contained songs such as "Playdough," "Martian Girl," "Idiot Box," and "CD Repo Man" which would become standards in their live set over the next several years. They embarked on tours and established themselves in a prolific southern California ska movement
[citation needed] that also included bands such as
Reel Big Fish,
Sublime,
The Hippos,
Buck-O-Nine,
No Doubt, and
Save Ferris.
[edit] 1997-2000: Goldenvoice years
By early 1996 Arellano had left the group and been replaced by
Travis Barker (The Baron von Tito) on
drums. Bergeson left the band to focus on his new marriage and children (although he would continue to assist the band in a studio capacity), and Gray became a full-time member on
guitar. Parkin also left and was replaced by
James Briggs (Jaime the Robot, now Jimmy the Robot), who brought additional horn instrumentation (tenor sax) to the group as well as playing keyboards. Some of the existing members also altered their pseudonyms, with Jacobs now going by "The Bat Commander" and Pollock as "Chainsaw the Prince of Karate."
[citation needed] The new lineup signed to Goldenvoice and recorded the album
The Fury of the Aquabats! In addition to several re-recorded versions of popular songs from
Return,
Fury contained songs such as "Cat With 2 Heads!" and "Super Rad!" which would become anthems for the band and expand their fan base.
[citation needed] "Super Rad!" became a minor hit and was promoted with a
music video. The success of
Fury and its supporting tours brought the band to their highest level of recognition and popularity yet.
The following year, 1998 Barker left the Aquabats to join
Blink-182. He was replaced by drummer Gabe Palmer (Doctor Rock) and this lineup recorded
The Aquabats vs. the Floating Eye of Death!, released in 1999.
[1] At this time Jacobs added "MC" to his stage name and began drawing a
mustache on his face and blacking out his front teeth, aspects of his stage costume that he continues to use to this day. Stylistically the album was a departure for the band, relying heavily on synthesizers and pop melodies. Its somewhat experimental and unconventional sound distanced the band from the southern California ska movement with which they had been associated,
[citation needed] and isolated both their record label and portions of their fan base. The somewhat cool reception to
Floating Eye, along with the departure of Palmer the following year (who later joined
Innaway) and the collapse of Goldenvoice soon after left the band's future uncertain. After releasing a collection of outtakes in 2000 entitled
Myths, Legends, and Other Amazing Adventures, Vol. 2, the band slipped into a period of relative inactivity for several years.
[edit] 2000-2006: Rejuvenation
From 2000-2003 the future of the Aquabats was uncertain. The loss of their drummer and record label, soon followed by the departure of trumpeter Terry, left the group unsure of whether or not they would continue recording and performing. During this time news updates from the band were infrequent, and those that did appear hinted at the possibility of a breakup. Eventually the group decided to continue on, bringing in new drummer
Ricky Falomir (Ricky Fitness), formerly of the
Assorted Jelly Beans, in 2002. In 2003 the band released their first
DVD,
Serious Awesomeness!, followed the next year by the self-released
Yo! Check Out This Ride! EP. This would be Deibert's last recording with the group (though he would occasionally join them for onstage performances in southern California over the next few years), and his departure completed the loss of the band's complete horn section and their transition to synthesizer-structured songwriting.
In 2005 the band signed to
Nitro Records and released the album
Charge!! It found the band with a rejuvenated sense of energy and marked their recommitment to touring and recording. The album was supported by numerous tours and a music video for the song "Fashion Zombies!" They also performed on the television program
Attack of the Show on September 23, 2005. In June of 2006 the album was re-released as a special one year anniversary edition with additional songs. Guitarist Pollock left the band at this time and was replaced by
Ian Fowles (Eagle "Bones" Falconhawk), formerly of
Death by Stereo. The band continued touring in support of
Charge!! until January 2007.
[edit] Recent activity
Following touring in late 2006 and early 2007, The Aquabats began recording a follow-up to
Charge!!. Recording began in July 2007 and the band performed some dates that month and in August in the western United States, the east coast, and
England. Although their recording and touring schedule continue, the band often joke that each performance or album might be their last.
The band has also started production on another pilot for a television show, tentatively titled "
The Aquabats Super Show!"
[2] In April 2009 The Aquabats were released from Nitro Records "due to trying economic times and a struggling musical landscape", causing their new album to be delayed until they can find a new label.
[3]
The Aquabats played the Bamboozle Left and Groezrock festivals in April 2009, and played with Blink-182 in Hollywood and Santa Barbara in October 2009. In February 2010 they played the Soundwave Festival in Australia - their first time in the country. In August 2010, The Aquabats announced on their website that they were going to be self-releasing an album in November and embarking on several tours across the United States, Australia and the United Kingdom.
[4] In an interview with Amp Magazine, Christian Jacobs revealed that the album has been pushed back to early 2011 to allow time for
Fearless Records to promote it, but a new EP featuring a single from the upcoming album would be released on November 9.
[5]
[edit] Superhero mythos
The Aquabats performing a holiday show in
San Francisco in 2006. The numerous masked individuals and the large costumed character are regular fixtures of the band's stage show and tie into their fictitious superhero mythos.
Throughout their career the Aquabats have maintained a fictitious backstory which purports them to be superheroes from a distant island called Aquabania. The band's costumes and pseudonyms tie into this mythology, which is detailed in the liner notes of their albums. Over the years the story of their origins has evolved, changed, and occasionally been
retconned to explain changes in the band's lineup. They have also built up a roster of allies and enemies, many of whom are featured in their album artwork and often appear onstage with them as costumed characters in choreographed fight scenes.
According to the most consistent elements of the band's mythology, the original 8 (or 9) members lived on a distant and idyllic island known as "Aquabania," populated by humanlike bat creatures. The island was attacked by the villain Space Monster "M" and 8 (or 9) of its inhabitants fled to the ocean in a hollowed-out log. They washed ashore in
California, where they were taken in by Professor Monty Corndog (portrayed onstage by singer
Christian Jacobs' brother, Parker Jacobs), who used chemicals to revive them and give them super powers. They donned costumes including "radioactive rash guards," "power belts," and "anti-negativity helmets" (many of which are sold as part of the band's merchandise catalogue) and decided to channel their powers through music in order to "take over the world" by attracting legions of fans. This would then allow them to combat Space Monster "M" and retake their homeland.
Space Monster "M" placed a bounty on the heads of the Aquabats, attracting numerous villains and monsters to pursue and attack them in attempts to end their musical quest. These costumed villains often appear onstage to combat the band in concert. In addition to Space Monster "M," some of the more notable Aquabats enemies to appear over the years include Powdered Milk Man, The Sandfleas, The Floating Eye of Death, Cyclopsis, and Pumpkin Face. Along with their rogue's gallery, the band has also amassed a list of allies who assist them in various capacities. In addition to the Professor, some of the more notable Aquabats allies have included their former webmaster The Pigbat, the Sea Ghost, Danger Woman, and
Digital Unicorn.
The band's superhero mythos has often been used as a device for explaining their numerous lineup changes. For example, members departing the group have sometimes been said to have been wounded in battle with the band's enemies, and when Jimmy the Robot joined, it was explained that the Professor constructed him out of various materials in order to provide the band with a robotic musical virtuoso.
[edit] Aquacadets
The Aquabats Cadet Faction is the official
fan club of the band, and its members are commonly known as Aquacadets. Enrollment in the fan club allows members access to exclusive merchandise and to an exclusive section of the band's official message board, as well as events known as "Cadet Summits." These are held every few years in southern California and normally include fun and games, meet and greets, autograph signings, door prizes, and a live performance. There have been five such summits held over the years. The most recent Cadet Summit was held on July 22, 2006 in
San Diego and included a complete performance of
The Return of the Aquabats album in celebration of the tenth anniversary of its release.
Aquacadets are encouraged to attend these events and the band's concerts in costume. These costumes often include official rashguards, helmets, belts, and masks that are available as part of the band's merchandise catalogue, but also often consist of homemade items. Some members have even formed splinter factions such as the "Astrobats," "Piratebats," and "Ninjabats" and outfitted themselves with homemade
t-shirts and other apparel to show their support for the band.
Among The Aquabats' hundreds of cadets is
Reel Big Fish lead singer
Aaron Barrett, who can be seen wearing a cadet patch in the music video for Reel Big Fish's "Party Down." The cadets are such a significant part of the band's fanbase that they are mentioned in the video game
Saints Row on the radio when The Aquabats' song "Look at Me (I'm a Winner)!" is played.
[citation needed]
[edit] Band members
The Aquabats lineups
(only official members listed)
(1994–1997)
The Return of the Aquabats | |
(1997–1998)
The Fury of the Aquabats! | |
(1998–2002)
The Aquabats vs. the Floating Eye of Death!
Myths, Legends, and Other Amazing Adventures, Vol. 2 | - The MC Bat Commander - vocals
- The Mysterious Kyu - guitar
- Chainsaw Karate - guitar
- Crash McLarson - bass
- Catboy - trumpet
- Prince Adam - trumpet, harpsichord
- The Robot - woodwinds, keyboards
- Doctor Rock- drums
|
(2002–2003)
live shows only
Serious Awesomeness! DVD | - The MC Bat Commander - vocals
- Chainsaw the Prince of Karate - guitar
- Crash McLarson - bass
- Catboy - trumpet
- Prince Adam - trumpet, harpsichord
- The Robot - woodwinds, keyboards
- Ricky Fitness - drums
|
(2003–2005)
Yo! Check Out This Ride! EP | - The MC Bat Commander - vocals
- Chainsaw, Prince of Karate - guitar
- Crash McLarson - bass
- Prince Adam - trumpet, guitar, synthesizer
- Jimmy the Robot - saxophone, keyboards
- Ricky Fitness - drums
|
(2005–2006)
Charge!! | - The MC Bat Commander - vocals
- Chainsaw - guitar
- Crash McLarson - bass
- Jimmy the Robot - keyboards
- Ricky Fitness - drums
|
(2006–current)
Radio Down! | - The MC Bat Commander - vocals
- Eagle "Bones" Falconhawk - guitar
- Crash McLarson - bass
- Jimmy the Robot - keyboards, saxophone
- Ricky Fitness - drums
|
[edit] Current members
[edit] Past members
- Nacho (Chad Parkin) - keyboards (1994–1997)
- Roddy B. (Rod Arellano) - drums (1994–1997)
- Ben the Brain (Ben Bergeson) - guitar (1994–1997)
- The Baron von Tito (Travis Barker) - drums, percussion (1997–1998)
- Catboy (Boyd Terry) - trumpet, other brass instruments, backing vocals (1994–2000)
- Doctor Rock (Gabe Palmer) - drums (1998–2000)
- Ultra Kyu/The Mysterious Kyu (Charles Gray) - guitar, other string instruments, synthesizer, backing vocals (1994–2000)
- Prince Adam (Adam Deibert) - trumpet, synthesizer, guitar, backing vocals, hand accompaniment (1994–2005)
- Chainsaw the Prince of Karate (Courtney "Corey" Pollock) - guitar (1994–2006)
[edit] Discography
The Aquabats discography
| Releases |
| ↙Studio albums | 4 |
| ↙Compilation albums | 1 |
| ↙Extended plays | 2 |
| ↙Video albums | 1 |
| ↙Music videos | 3 |
| ↙Other appearances | 8 |
The
discography of The Aquabats consists of four
studio albums, one
compilation album, two
EPs, one
video album, and three
music videos.
[edit] Studio albums
[edit] Compilation albums
[edit] Extended plays
[edit] Video albums
[edit] Music videos
[edit] Other appearances
The following Aquabats songs were released on compilation albums. This is not an exhaustive list; songs that were first released on the band's albums are not included.
| Year | Release details | Track |
| 1996 | California Ska-Quake, Vol. 2: The Aftershock[17] - Released: September 3, 1996
- Label: Moon Ska
- Format: CD
| |
| 1997 | Take Warning: The Songs of Operation Ivy[18] - Released: August 26, 1997
- Label: Glue Factory
- Format: CD
| |
We Are Not Devo[19] - Released: September 30, 1997
- Label: Centipede
- Format: CD
| - "Love Without Anger"
(originally performed by Devo)
|
The Ska Parade: Runnin' Naked Thru the Cornfield[20] - Released: October 14, 1997
- Label: A to Y
- Format: CD
| |
Freedom Sounds: A Tribute to the Skatalites[21] - Released: October 21, 1997
- Label: Shanachie
- Format: CD
| |
| 2000 | Punk Goes Metal[22] - Released: 2000
- Label: Fearless
- Format: CD
| |
Rice Capades - Released: 2000
- Label: Horchata
- Format: CD
| - "Lovers of Loving Love" (demo)
|
| 2005 | Dead Bands Party: A Tribute to Oingo Boingo[23] - Released: May 10, 2005
- Label: Indianola
- Format: CD
| |
| 2010 | Mega64: The Soundtrack[24] - Released: September 3, 2010
- Label: Mega64
- Format: CD
| - "Sequence Erase" (instrumental version)
|
[edit] Music in television
The Aquabats have appeared in and recorded music for several television shows aimed at young audiences. In 2000 the band recorded the opening and closing theme songs for a
pilot episode of the
cartoon show
Welcome to Eltingville. Members of the band also appear in and record voices for the children's program
Yo Gabba Gabba!, which
Christian Jacobs (The MC Bat Commander) co-created, writes, and directs. The band played a children's version of their song "Pool Party" on the show in the episode titled "Summer." The original, instrumental version of "Sequence Erase!" is used as the theme song and several other songs are used in the credits for
Mega64, in which Christian Jacobs and Ricky Falomir have made cameo appearances, and in which several characters are sometimes portrayed wearing Aquabats T-shirts. In addition to the show, the Mega64 Podcast uses The Aquabats' "Lonely Horseman!" as its main theme song.
