SlapstickSlapstick was a punk-ska fusion band formed in Chicago by a group of friends from the Elgin area. The group took some cues from the seminal ska/punk outfit Operation Ivy and the guttural punk vocals of Crimpshrine, but developed their own unique style...
was a
skaSka is a music genre that originated in Jamaica in the late 1950s, and was the precursor to rocksteady and reggae. Ska combined elements of Caribbean mento and calypso with American jazz and rhythm and blues...
/
punkPunk rock is a rock music genre that developed between 1974 and 1976 in the United States, the United Kingdom and Australia. Rooted in garage rock and other forms of what is now known as protopunk music, punk rock bands eschewed the perceived excesses of mainstream 1970s rock...
band that was influential in the
ElginElgin is a city northwest of Chicago on the Fox River. Most of Elgin lies within Kane County, Illinois, with a portion in Cook County, Illinois...
/
ChicagoChicago is the largest city in the U.S. state of Illinois, and with more than 2.8 million people, the 3rd largest city in the United States...
punk scene during their time. Their legacy lives on with the various members parting ways to create new music in new bands. The bands have had a major impact on the Chicago music scene, and have gained popularity throughout their respective careers. The "family tree" extends to this day.
Origin (1993-1996)
Slapstick
Brendan Kelly Lead vocals
Dan Andriano Bass, Vocals
Peter Anna Trombone
Matt Stamps Guitar
Dan Hanaway Trumpet, Vocals
Rob Kellenberger Drums, Vocals
The first branch was the originator and included only the "mother band"
SlapstickSlapstick was a punk-ska fusion band formed in Chicago by a group of friends from the Elgin area. The group took some cues from the seminal ska/punk outfit Operation Ivy and the guttural punk vocals of Crimpshrine, but developed their own unique style...
. Slapstick played aggressive and unique ska with gruff vocals that set them apart from other bands at the time. The band was active until 1996. They have 2 releases,
Lookit! which was released on the now defunct
Dill RecordsDill Records was a small punk rock/ska record label based out of Monte Sereno, California, that put out CDs/records from 1989-1998. The name is an allusion to initially the label's only band, Skankin' Pickle. It was started by Mike Park, a.k.a. Bruce Lee of Skankin' Pickle. The first other band...
, and the later on Asian man Records and
Slapstick also on Asian Man. The first 6 songs on the s/t album where originally intended to be released on a 10" record, but when the band broke up in 1996, they decided to combine those songs with the entire
Lookit album as well as a few unreleased B side songs. Although members in the future bands have come form other bands in the same time period, Slapstick is the primary band.
Previously to the release of their only two full length albums, the band had released 2 7" vinyl records. The first being called the
Superhero EP, which came in various colored vinyl and two different album covers. The second being the Crooked EP which featured 4 songs that would later go on to be released on
Lookit and the s/t album. A few songs were recorded for out of print compilations, and remain unavailable on a slapstick album. The Superhero EP was originally self released then repressed and released along with the Crooked EP on Dyslexic Records. They also put out a split with Tommy Rot and a few demo tapes containing songs only available on those releases and they were never put on any other album. This means that the Discography album is not technically a complete collection.
The BroadwaysThe Broadways were a short-lived punk band from Chicago, Illinois. The group formed in 1996 after the dissolution of the influential ska-punk band Slapstick, with their vocalist Brendan Kelly and trumpet player Dan Hanaway combining with Rob DePaola and Tricky Dick guitarist Chris McCaughan.-...
Brendan Kelly Vocals, Bass
Dan Hanaway Vocals, Guitar
Chris McCaughanChris McCaughan is the guitarist and vocalist in the band The Lawrence Arms. Chris was formerly the guitarist for the bands Tricky Dick and The Broadways ....
Vocals, Guitar (Of the band Tricky Dick)
Rob DePaola Drums
The BroadwaysThe Broadways were a short-lived punk band from Chicago, Illinois. The group formed in 1996 after the dissolution of the influential ska-punk band Slapstick, with their vocalist Brendan Kelly and trumpet player Dan Hanaway combining with Rob DePaola and Tricky Dick guitarist Chris McCaughan.-...
were a political punk-rock band on the independent label
Asian Man RecordsAsian Man Records is a small, DIY record label run by Mike Park in Monte Sereno, California. Park started a record label and began releasing music in 1989 under the name Dill Records, with the Asian Man label established May 1996.-Artists:...
. They were active from 1996 to 1998, and released their last CD in 2000. Their two full lengths albums were entitled
Broken Star and
Broken Van. The band had a melodic vocal style, coupled with smooth guitars and harsh political lyrics.
TuesdayTuesday was a pop punk/emo band formed by three ex-members of influential Chicago ska punk band Slapstick after the latter's 1996 breakup. Dan Andriano , Matt Stamps , and Rob Kellenberger released their first EP Early Summer on Asian Man Records in 1997...
Dan Andriano Lead vocals, Bass
Matt Stamps Guitar
Rob Kellenberger Drums, Vocals
Tyler Wiseman Guitar
TuesdayTuesday was a pop punk/emo band formed by three ex-members of influential Chicago ska punk band Slapstick after the latter's 1996 breakup. Dan Andriano , Matt Stamps , and Rob Kellenberger released their first EP Early Summer on Asian Man Records in 1997...
was an
emo- Businesses :* Emo , an Irish oil company and filling station chain* Emo Speedway, a racetrack in Emo, Ontario* Emo's, a nightclub in Austin, Texas* An Educational Management Organization, or for-profit school- Music :...
band signed to Asian Man Records. The band had two releases, a full length entitled
Free Wheelin and an EP entitled "Early Summer". The band played a softer form of rock, and was active from 1996 to 1998.
Peter Anna played with
Less Than JakeLess Than Jake is an American ska punk band from Gainesville, Florida. Originally formed in 1992 as a power pop trio, the band evolved into a hybrid of ska punk. Less Than Jake have also been cited as showing influences from a wide variety of genres including post-grunge, alternative rock, third...
for a year, and recorded
Borders and Boundaries as the trombonist, he later quit the band and is now pursuing a career in firefighting.
http://www.answers.com/topic/less-than-jake
Branch two (1998-present)
In time, each of these bands split and formed various other bands, now distant but still related to Slapstick.
The Lawrence ArmsThe Lawrence Arms are an American punk rock band from Chicago, Illinois, formed in 1999 and currently recording for Fat Wreck Chords. They have released five full-length albums and toured extensively...
Brendan Kelly Lead vocals, Bass
Neil Hennessy Drums (of Baxter)
Chris McCaughan Vocals, Guitar
The Lawrence ArmsThe Lawrence Arms are an American punk rock band from Chicago, Illinois, formed in 1999 and currently recording for Fat Wreck Chords. They have released five full-length albums and toured extensively...
are a band based in Chicago who have seen much success since the split of The Broadways. The name is based on an apartment building Kelly and McCaughan lived in, and they have many releases since their formation. They are currently signed to
Fat Wreck ChordsFat Wreck Chords is a San Francisco, California based independent record label, focused on punk rock. It was started by Fat Mike and his wife, Erin, in 1990....
.
Alkaline TrioAlkaline Trio is an American punk rock band from McHenry, Illinois consisting of Matt Skiba , Dan Andriano and Derek Grant...
Matt Skiba Vocals, Guitar
Dan Andriano Vocals, Bass
Derek Grant Drums
Alkaline TrioAlkaline Trio is an American punk rock band from McHenry, Illinois consisting of Matt Skiba , Dan Andriano and Derek Grant...
have seen considerable mainstream success, more so than other bands in the family tree. They have had several full-length releases and until recently (May 2009) were signed to Epic Records, a division of Sony.
The Honor System
Dan Hanaway Lead vocals, Guitar
Rob DePaola Drums
Chris Carr Bass
Tyler Wiseman Guitar
The Honor SystemThe Honor System is a punk rock band from Chicago, Illinois that formed after the breakup of The Broadways.- History :The band initially consisted of former Broadways members Dan Hanaway and Rob DePaola , along with Nolan McGuire , and Tim McIlrath...
's original line-up featured
Tim McIlrathTim McIlrath is the lead singer, rhythm guitarist, co-composer and main-lyricist for the American punk rock band Rise Against. McIlrath is known to support animal rights and actively promotes PETA with his band...
of
Rise AgainstRise Against is an American punk rock band from Chicago, Illinois, formed in 1999. Their current lineup consists of Tim McIlrath , Joe Principe , Brandon Barnes , and Zach Blair , all of whom are straight edge PETA supporters and strict vegetarians/vegans...
on bass guitar, and Nolan McGuire, the touring guitarist/roadie for Alkaline Trio on guitar, with Rob DePaola and Dan Hanaway from The Broadways. Tim McIlrath then left The Honor System to form the Killing Tree, and shortly after that, Rise Against with ex-members of 88 Fingers Louie. Nolan McGuire played on the band's first album and EP, being replaced by Tyler Wiseman before their second and latest album.
The Honor System built further upon the melodic punk and song structures of The Broadways, incorporating complex guitars, more political lyrics and, after the departure of McGuire, an increasingly heavy sound. The band has two full lengths to date:
Single File and
The Rise And Run. The band is currently on hiatus.
DuvallDuvall is a pop/rock band with Christian-oriented lyrics. They were formed in August 2001, including members of the Smoking Popes, who had disbanded in 1998. Founding members were Josh Caterer, Tom Daily, and Mike Felumlee...
Eli Caterer Guitar, Bass, Backup Vocals (of
Smoking PopesThe Smoking Popes are an American rock group from the northwest suburbs of Chicago, Illinois, formed in 1991. They play punk-influenced pop music with crooning vocals...
)
Josh Caterer Vocals, Guitar (of The Smoking Popes)
Rob Kellenberger Drums
Duvall is an emo/rock band with spiritual based lyrics and subject matter. They have been on a break since 2006, just after the Smoking Popes reunited.
Branch three (supergroups, etc.)
The bands members branched off, even creating super groups of
sorts.
ColossalColossal is an indie-punk band from Elgin, Illinois. Formed in 2001, they are currently on hiatus. They have one EP and one full-length, and have appeared on multiple compilations...
Eli Caterer Guitar
Pat Ford Guitar and Vocals
Neil Hennessy Drums
Rob Kellenberger Drums
Chris Perrin Bass
A supergroup of sorts, that involves members of
Smoking PopesThe Smoking Popes are an American rock group from the northwest suburbs of Chicago, Illinois, formed in 1991. They play punk-influenced pop music with crooning vocals...
, The Lawrence Arms, and Duvall. The band plays a unique blend of indie rock and jazz and has an EP and a full length out entitled
Welcome the Problems. As of October, 2006 Eli Careter has left the band to make more time for his other projects.
The FalconThe Falcon is a Chicago-based punk rock supergroup. The band features The Lawrence Arms members Brendan Kelly and Neil Hennessy on drums, as well as Alkaline Trio's Dan Andriano...
Brendan Kelly Guitar, Vocals
Dan Andriano Bass, Vocals
Neil Hennessy Drums, Guitar, Vocals
Another highly anticipated 'supergroup' that has members of The Lawrence Arms and Alkaline Trio. The band has released an EP Entitled "God Don't Make No Trash or Up Your Ass With Broken Glass" and a full length entitled
Unicornography. The band plays a different and more free form of punk than either of the two bands they came from. Rise Against ex-member Todd Mohney, left the band before Unicornography was recorded, thus making The Falcon as a three piece. Shortly after the release of their full length, Rob Kellenburger joined the band to play drums, leaving Neil to replace Todd on Guitar. In 2006, the Falcon recruited Eli Careter to fill Todd's position on tours, and Chris McCaughan fills in for Dan Adriano.
http://interpunk.com/band.cfm?BandID=6488&
Whale HorseWhale|Horse is a rock/post-punk band from Chicago.- Formation :After their earlier band The Honor System went on hiatus, Tyler Wiseman and Dan Hanaway began work on a new project with assistance from drummer Jason Kyrouac and 's former bassist, Jordan Schalich...
- Dan Hanaway: vocals, guitar
- Tyler Wiseman: guitar
- Chris Carr: bass
- Scott Anna: drums
Featuring three quarters of The Honor System (and formerly members of
The Ghost and
Pines), Whale|Horse play a darker style of indie/post-punk, creating moody and pensive songs. Whale|Horse has released one EP,
Count the Electric Sheep.
SundownerSundowner is an acoustic project of Chris McCaughan of The Lawrence Arms, also featuring Jenny Choi, Neil Hennessy, and Eli Caterer. Their debut album, Four One Five Two, was released on Red Scare Records on March 13, 2007....
Chris McCaughan Acoustic guitar, Vocals
Jenny Choi Cello, Piano, Vocals
Chris McCaughan has begun a solo career under the name
SundownerSundowner is an acoustic project of Chris McCaughan of The Lawrence Arms, also featuring Jenny Choi, Neil Hennessy, and Eli Caterer. Their debut album, Four One Five Two, was released on Red Scare Records on March 13, 2007....
, releasing the album
Four One Five TwoFour One Five Two is the debut album of Chicago Illinois's Sundowner, the acoustic side-project from Chris McCaughan of The Lawrence Arms. The album was released on March 13, 2007, after many months of playing coffee shops and touring alongside The Lawrence ArmsThe album consists of twelve songs,...
on Red Scare Records.