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[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
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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.| | |
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[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
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
| (1994–1997) The Return of the Aquabats |
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| (1997–1998) The Fury of the Aquabats! |
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| (1998–2002) The Aquabats vs. the Floating Eye of Death! Myths, Legends, and Other Amazing Adventures, Vol. 2 |
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| (2002–2003) live shows only Serious Awesomeness! DVD |
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| (2003–2005) Yo! Check Out This Ride! EP |
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| (2005–2006) Charge!! |
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| (2006–current) Radio Down! |
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[edit] Current members
- The MC Bat Commander (formerly the Caped Commander or the Bat Commander) (Christian Jacobs) - vocals (1994–present)
- Crash McLarson (Chad Larson) - bass, backing vocals (1994–present)
- Jimmy the Robot (formerly Jaime the Robot or simply "The Robot") (James Briggs) - keyboards, saxophone, other brass and wind instruments, backing vocals (1997–present)
- Ricky Fitness (Ricky Falomir) - drums, percussion, backing vocals (2002–present)
- Eagle "Bones" Falconhawk (Ian Fowles) - guitar, backing vocals (2006–present)
[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
| Releases | ||
|---|---|---|
| ↙Studio albums | 4 | |
| ↙Compilation albums | 1 | |
| ↙Extended plays | 2 | |
| ↙Video albums | 1 | |
| ↙Music videos | 3 | |
| ↙Other appearances | 8 | |
[edit] Studio albums
| Year | Album details | Peak chart positions | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US | ||||
| Billboard 200 [6] | Independent [6][7] | Heatseekers [6][8] | ||
| 1996 | The Return of the Aquabats[9]
| — | — | — |
| 1997 | The Fury of the Aquabats![10]
| 172 | — | 12 |
| 1999 | The Aquabats vs. the Floating Eye of Death![11]
| — | — | 35 |
| 2005 | Charge!![12]
| — | 30 | 21 |
| "—" denotes releases that did not chart. | ||||
[edit] Compilation albums
| Year | Album details |
|---|---|
| 2000 | Myths, Legends, and Other Amazing Adventures, Vol. 2[13] |
[edit] Extended plays
| Year | Album details |
|---|---|
| 2004 | Yo! Check Out This Ride! EP
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| 2010 | Radio Down![14]
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[edit] Video albums
| Year | Album details |
|---|---|
| 2003 | Serious Awesomeness![15] |
[edit] Music videos
| Year | Song | Director | Album |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1995 | "CD Repo Man" | The Return of the Aquabats | |
| 1997 | "Super Rad!" | Bobcat Goldthwait[16] | The Fury of the Aquabats! |
| 2005 | "Fashion Zombies!" | Christian Jacobs | Charge!! |
[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]
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| 1997 | Take Warning: The Songs of Operation Ivy[18]
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We Are Not Devo[19]
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The Ska Parade: Runnin' Naked Thru the Cornfield[20]
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Freedom Sounds: A Tribute to the Skatalites[21]
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| 2000 | Punk Goes Metal[22]
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Rice Capades
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| 2005 | Dead Bands Party: A Tribute to Oingo Boingo[23]
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| 2010 | Mega64: The Soundtrack[24]
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