The Aquabats
Encyclopedia
The Aquabats are an American
rock
band formed in 1994 in Orange County, California
. They have released five full-length studio albums and have toured internationally. They are best known for their mythology
, in which they claim to be superhero
es on a quest to save the world from evil through music. As a part of this mythology the band members have adopted superhero pseudonym
s 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
.
. 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 guitar
s, Chad Larson (Crash McLarson) on bass
, Boyd Terry (Catboy) and Adam Deibert (Prince Adam) on trumpet
s, 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
. 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. Trumpet player and original member, Boyd Terry worked for Aleeda making wetsuit
s, 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 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 that also included bands such as Reel Big Fish
, Sublime
, The Hippos
, Buck-O-Nine
, No Doubt
, and Save Ferris
.
(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." 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. "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. 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, 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.
(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 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.
. 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!
" 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.
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. 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.
On January 18, 2011, The Aquabats released their fifth full-length studio album, called Hi-Five Soup!
, with the lead single "The Shark Fighter!" released earlier that month. In March 2011, the band announced that their recent television endeavor, "The Aquabats Super Show!
", was picked up, and will air on Hasbro
's The Hub in the fall of that year.
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.
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-shirt
s 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.
of The Aquabats consists of five studio album
s, one compilation album
, two EPs
, one video album
, and three music video
s.
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 has used The Aquabats' "Lonely Horseman!" as its main theme song.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
rock
Rock music
Rock music is a genre of popular music that developed during and after the 1960s, particularly in the United Kingdom and the United States. It has its roots in 1940s and 1950s rock and roll, itself heavily influenced by rhythm and blues and country music...
band formed in 1994 in Orange County, California
Orange County, California
Orange County is a county in the U.S. state of California. Its county seat is Santa Ana. As of the 2010 census, its population was 3,010,232, up from 2,846,293 at the 2000 census, making it the third most populous county in California, behind Los Angeles County and San Diego County...
. They have released five full-length studio albums and have toured internationally. They are best known for their mythology
Mythology
The term mythology can refer either to the study of myths, or to a body or collection of myths. As examples, comparative mythology is the study of connections between myths from different cultures, whereas Greek mythology is the body of myths from ancient Greece...
, in which they claim to be superhero
Superhero
A superhero is a type of stock character, possessing "extraordinary or superhuman powers", dedicated to protecting the public. Since the debut of the prototypical superhero Superman in 1938, stories of superheroes — ranging from brief episodic adventures to continuing years-long sagas —...
es on a quest to save the world from evil through music. As a part of this mythology the band members have adopted superhero pseudonym
Pseudonym
A pseudonym is a name that a person assumes for a particular purpose and that differs from his or her original orthonym...
s 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
Ska
Ska |Jamaican]] ) 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...
music, with touches of surf and punk rock
Punk rock
Punk 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 perceived excesses of mainstream 1970s rock...
. Over the years their music shifted towards more synthesizer
Synthesizer
A synthesizer is an electronic instrument capable of producing sounds by generating electrical signals of different frequencies. These electrical signals are played through a loudspeaker or set of headphones...
-based rock with a new wave
New Wave music
New Wave is a subgenre of :rock music that emerged in the mid to late 1970s alongside punk rock. The term at first generally was synonymous with punk rock before being considered a genre in its own right that incorporated aspects of electronic and experimental music, mod subculture, disco and 1960s...
influence. Their current style blends elements of rock and roll
Rock and roll
Rock and roll is a genre of popular music that originated and evolved in the United States during the late 1940s and early 1950s, primarily from a combination of African American blues, country, jazz, and gospel music...
, pop-punk, ska, and synthpop
Synthpop
Synthpop is a genre of popular music that first became prominent in the 1980s, in which the synthesizer is the dominant musical instrument. It was prefigured in the 1960s and early 1970s by the use of synthesizers in progressive rock, electronic art rock, disco and particularly the "Kraut rock" of...
.
1994–1996: Formation
The Aquabats formed in 1994 in Huntington Beach, CaliforniaHuntington Beach, California
Huntington Beach is a seaside city in Orange County in Southern California. According to the 2010 census, the city population was 189,992; making it the largest beach city in Orange County in terms of population...
. 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 guitar
Guitar
The guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
s, Chad Larson (Crash McLarson) on bass
Bass guitar
The bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
, Boyd Terry (Catboy) and Adam Deibert (Prince Adam) on trumpet
Trumpet
The trumpet is the musical instrument with the highest register in the brass family. Trumpets are among the oldest musical instruments, dating back to at least 1500 BCE. They are played by blowing air through closed lips, producing a "buzzing" sound which starts a standing wave vibration in the air...
s, Chad Parkin (Nacho) on organ, and Rod Arellano (Roddy B.) on drums
Drum kit
A drum kit is a collection of drums, cymbals and often other percussion instruments, such as cowbells, wood blocks, triangles, chimes, or tambourines, arranged for convenient playing by a single person ....
. They were later joined by third guitarist Charles Gray
Charles Gray (musician)
Charles Gray is an American musician, best known for his tenure as the guitarist for the Orange County rock band The Aquabats, of which he served as a member from 1994 to 2000 under the stage name of Ultra Kyu and later The Mysterious Kyu ....
(Ultra Kyu). Their music was heavily rooted in surf rock, punk rock, pop, and ska, and influenced by groups such as Devo
Devo
Devo is an American band formed in 1973 consisting of members from Kent and Akron, Ohio. The classic line-up of the band includes two sets of brothers, the Mothersbaughs and the Casales . The band had a #14 Billboard chart hit in 1980 with the single "Whip It", and has maintained a cult...
, Oingo Boingo
Oingo Boingo
Oingo Boingo was an American new wave band. They are best known for their influence on other musicians, their soundtrack contributions and their high energy Halloween concerts. The band was founded in 1972 as The Mystic Knights of the Oingo Boingo, a performance art group...
, Madness
Madness (band)
In 1979, the band recorded the Lee Thompson composition "The Prince". The song, like the band's name, paid homage to their idol, Prince Buster. The song was released through 2 Tone Records, the label of The Specials founder Jerry Dammers. The song was a surprise hit, peaking in the UK music charts...
, and The Skatalites
The Skatalites
The Skatalites are a ska band from Jamaica. They played initially between 1963 and 1965, and recorded many of their best known songs in the period, including "Guns of Navarone". They also played on records by Prince Buster and backed many other Jamaican artists who recorded during that period...
. 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. Trumpet player and original member, Boyd Terry worked for Aleeda making wetsuit
Wetsuit
A wetsuit is a garment, usually made of foamed neoprene, which is worn by surfers, divers, windsurfers, canoeists, and others engaged in water sports, providing thermal insulation, abrasion resistance and buoyancy. The insulation properties depend on bubbles of gas enclosed within the material,...
s, and using spare rashguards and pieces of neoprene
Neoprene
Neoprene or polychloroprene is a family of synthetic rubbers that are produced by polymerization of chloroprene. Neoprene in general has good chemical stability, and maintains flexibility over a wide temperature range...
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 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 that also included bands such as Reel Big Fish
Reel Big Fish
Reel Big Fish is an American ska punk band from Huntington Beach, California, best known for the 1997 hit "Sell Out". The band gained mainstream recognition in the mid-to-late 1990s, during the third wave of ska with the release of the gold certified album Turn the Radio Off. Soon after, the band...
, Sublime
Sublime (band)
Sublime was an American ska punk band from Long Beach, California, formed in 1988. The band's line-up, unchanged until their breakup, consisted of Bradley Nowell , Eric Wilson and Bud Gaugh . Michael "Miguel" Happoldt also contributed on a few Sublime songs, such as "New Thrash." Lou Dog, Nowell's...
, The Hippos
The Hippos
The Hippos were an American rock band formed in 1995 in Los Angeles, California, and disbanded in 2000. During the band's lifetime they released 3 full-length albums...
, Buck-O-Nine
Buck-O-Nine
Buck-O-Nine is an American ska punk band which was formed in San Diego in 1991. The band has toured internationally and released several albums and e.p.'s, as well as appearing on compilations and film soundtracks. During the mid-to-late 1990s, they experienced mainstream success with the release...
, No Doubt
No Doubt
No Doubt is an American rock band from Anaheim, California that formed in 1986. The ska-pop sound of their first album No Doubt , failed to make an impact...
, and Save Ferris
Save Ferris
Save Ferris was a ska punk band formed circa 1995 in Orange County, California. Their name is a reference to the 1986 film Ferris Bueller's Day Off.-History:...
.
1997–2000: Goldenvoice years
By early 1996 Arellano had left the group and been replaced by Travis BarkerTravis Barker
Travis Landon Barker is an American musician, producer and entrepreneur, most noted as the drummer for the American pop punk band Blink-182, as well as the alternative rock band +44, the rap rock band The Transplants, and the alternative rock band Box Car Racer. He was a frequent collaborator with...
(The Baron von Tito) on drums
Drum kit
A drum kit is a collection of drums, cymbals and often other percussion instruments, such as cowbells, wood blocks, triangles, chimes, or tambourines, arranged for convenient playing by a single person ....
. 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
Guitar
The guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
. 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." The new lineup signed to Goldenvoice and recorded the album The Fury of the Aquabats!
The Fury of the Aquabats!
The Fury of the Aquabats! is second studio album by American band The Aquabats, released in October 1997 on Goldenvoice Records and Time Bomb Recordings.-Overview:...
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. "Super Rad!" became a minor hit and was promoted with a music video
Music video
A music video or song video is a short film integrating a song and imagery, produced for promotional or artistic purposes. Modern music videos are primarily made and used as a marketing device intended to promote the sale of music recordings...
. 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
Blink-182
Blink-182 is an American rock band consisting of vocalist and bass guitarist Mark Hoppus, vocalist and guitarist Tom DeLonge, and drummer Travis Barker. They have sold over 27 million albums worldwide since forming in Poway, California in 1992...
. He was replaced by drummer Gabe Palmer (Doctor Rock) and this lineup recorded The Aquabats vs. the Floating Eye of Death!, released in 1999. 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, 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
Innaway
Innaway is an American psychedelic rock band from Southern California formed in 2001. In 2002, their demo was pressed in limited quantities by German label Audiolith Records but there wasn't a US release until 2005 when Some Records released a self-titled album by the band...
) 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
Myths, Legends, and Other Amazing Adventures, Vol. 2
Myths, Legends and Other Amazing Adventures, Vol. 2 is a compilation album by American band The Aquabats , released in 2000 on Fearless Records....
, the band slipped into a period of relative inactivity for several years.
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 FalomirRichard Falomir
Richard Falomir is an American musician, perhaps best known as the current drummer for the Orange County rock band The Aquabats, in which he performs under the stage name Ricky Fitness....
(Ricky Fitness), formerly of the Assorted Jelly Beans, in 2002. In 2003 the band released their first DVD
DVD
A DVD is an optical disc storage media format, invented and developed by Philips, Sony, Toshiba, and Panasonic in 1995. DVDs offer higher storage capacity than Compact Discs while having the same dimensions....
, Serious Awesomeness!
Serious Awesomeness!
Serious Awesomeness! is a DVD by The Aquabats, released in 2003 through Fearless Records. The DVD contains a full 2003 live performance by the band at The Glass House venue in Pomona, California, numerous clips spanning the entirety of the Aquabats' history, music videos, behind-the-scenes footage...
, 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
Nitro Records
Nitro Records is an independent record label created and owned by Dexter Holland and Greg Kriesel . They started the label in 1994. The label is famous for being an incubator for punk rock artists who have subsequently become successful, most notably AFI...
and released the album Charge!!
Charge!!
Charge!! is the fifth studio album by American band The Aquabats, released on June 7, 2005 on Nitro Records.-Album overview:The album was very similar in sound to the previous year's EP, Yo, Check Out This Ride!. Sonically, the band had lost nearly all of the horn sounds from earlier albums...
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 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
Ian Fowles
Ian Walton Fowles is an American musician and author, best known as the original guitarist for the Orange County hardcore punk band Death by Stereo and as the current guitarist of the Orange County rock band The Aquabats, of which he performs under the stage name Eagle "Bones"...
(Eagle "Bones" Falconhawk), formerly of Death by Stereo
Death by Stereo
Death by Stereo is a hardcore punk band formed in Orange County, California circa 1996 by frontman Efrem Schulz. They are well known for their energetic performances and intricate guitar work...
. The band continued touring in support of Charge!! until January 2007.
2007–present: 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 EnglandEngland
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
. 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!
The Aquabats Super Show!
The Aquabats Super Show! is an upcoming comedy television series created by Yo Gabba Gabba! producers Christian Jacobs and Scott Schultz, which will air as part of The Hubs 2011-2012 schedule....
" 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.
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. 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
Fearless Records
Fearless Records is an alternative rock-oriented record label that has been signing artists since 1994. Fearless is based in Westminster, California and are best known for their early pop-punk moments captured in the Fearless Flush Sampler and Punk Bites releases, as well as additional releases by...
to promote it, but a new EP featuring a single from the upcoming album would be released on November 9.
On January 18, 2011, The Aquabats released their fifth full-length studio album, called Hi-Five Soup!
Hi-Five Soup!
- Personnel :The Aquabats*The MC Bat Commander – vocals*Crash McLarson – bass, backing vocals*Eagle "Bones" Falconhawk – guitar, backing vocals*Jimmy The Robot – keyboards, backing vocals*Ricky Fitness – drums, percussion, backing vocalsAdditional musicians...
, with the lead single "The Shark Fighter!" released earlier that month. In March 2011, the band announced that their recent television endeavor, "The Aquabats Super Show!
The Aquabats Super Show!
The Aquabats Super Show! is an upcoming comedy television series created by Yo Gabba Gabba! producers Christian Jacobs and Scott Schultz, which will air as part of The Hubs 2011-2012 schedule....
", was picked up, and will air on Hasbro
Hasbro
Hasbro is a multinational toy and boardgame company from the United States of America. It is one of the largest toy makers in the world. The corporate headquarters is located in Pawtucket, Rhode Island, United States...
's The Hub in the fall of that year.
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
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
, 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
Digital Unicorn
Adam Deibert is an American musician and voice actor, best known for his tenure as a member of The Aquabats from 1994 to 2004, where he played guitar, trumpet and keyboards under the stage name of Prince Adam, and as the bass guitarist for the indie rock band Bikeride.Off stage, Deibert writes...
.
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.
Aquacadets
The Aquabats Cadet Faction is the official fan clubFan club
A fan club is a group that is dedicated to a well-known person, group, idea or sometimes even an inanimate object . Most fan clubs are run by fans who devote considerable time and resources to supporting them. There are also "official" fan clubs that are run by someone associated with the person...
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
San Diego, California
San Diego is the eighth-largest city in the United States and second-largest city in California. The city is located on the coast of the Pacific Ocean in Southern California, immediately adjacent to the Mexican border. The birthplace of California, San Diego is known for its mild year-round...
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-shirt
T-shirt
A T-shirt is a style of shirt. A T-shirt is buttonless and collarless, with short sleeves and frequently a round neck line....
s and other apparel to show their support for the band.
Among The Aquabats' hundreds of cadets is Reel Big Fish
Reel Big Fish
Reel Big Fish is an American ska punk band from Huntington Beach, California, best known for the 1997 hit "Sell Out". The band gained mainstream recognition in the mid-to-late 1990s, during the third wave of ska with the release of the gold certified album Turn the Radio Off. Soon after, the band...
lead singer Aaron Barrett
Aaron Barrett
Aaron Asher Barrett is the lead singer, lead guitarist, and primary songwriter for the band Reel Big Fish. Prior to forming with Reel Big Fish, Barrett played trombone in another ska-punk act, The Scholars, along with future Reel Big Fish bandmates Scott Klopfenstein and Grant Barry...
, 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
Saints Row
Saints Row is an open world action-adventure video game developed by Volition, Inc. and published by THQ. It is the first title in the Saints Row series and is succeeded by Saints Row 2. A PlayStation 3 port was cancelled after protracted development time...
on the radio when The Aquabats' song "Look at Me (I'm a Winner)!" is played.
Band members
| (1994–1997) The Return of the Aquabats |
|
|---|---|
| (1997–1998) The Fury of the Aquabats |
Charles Gray (musician) Charles Gray is an American musician, best known for his tenure as the guitarist for the Orange County rock band The Aquabats, of which he served as a member from 1994 to 2000 under the stage name of Ultra Kyu and later The Mysterious Kyu .... - guitar, other strings Trumpet The trumpet is the musical instrument with the highest register in the brass family. Trumpets are among the oldest musical instruments, dating back to at least 1500 BCE. They are played by blowing air through closed lips, producing a "buzzing" sound which starts a standing wave vibration in the air... , other brass, organ Saxophone The saxophone is a conical-bore transposing musical instrument that is a member of the woodwind family. Saxophones are usually made of brass and played with a single-reed mouthpiece similar to that of the clarinet. The saxophone was invented by the Belgian instrument maker Adolphe Sax in 1846... , other brass and winds, keyboards Travis Barker Travis Landon Barker is an American musician, producer and entrepreneur, most noted as the drummer for the American pop punk band Blink-182, as well as the alternative rock band +44, the rap rock band The Transplants, and the alternative rock band Box Car Racer. He was a frequent collaborator with... - drums |
| (1998–2002) The Aquabats vs. the Floating Eye of Death Myths, Legends, and Other Amazing Adventures, Vol. 2 Myths, Legends, and Other Amazing Adventures, Vol. 2 Myths, Legends and Other Amazing Adventures, Vol. 2 is a compilation album by American band The Aquabats , released in 2000 on Fearless Records.... |
Harpsichord A harpsichord is a musical instrument played by means of a keyboard. It produces sound by plucking a string when a key is pressed.In the narrow sense, "harpsichord" designates only the large wing-shaped instruments in which the strings are perpendicular to the keyboard... Woodwind instrument A woodwind instrument is a musical instrument which produces sound when the player blows air against a sharp edge or through a reed, causing the air within its resonator to vibrate... , keyboards |
| (2002–2003) live shows only Serious Awesomeness DVD DVD A DVD is an optical disc storage media format, invented and developed by Philips, Sony, Toshiba, and Panasonic in 1995. DVDs offer higher storage capacity than Compact Discs while having the same dimensions.... |
Richard Falomir Richard Falomir is an American musician, perhaps best known as the current drummer for the Orange County rock band The Aquabats, in which he performs under the stage name Ricky Fitness.... - drums |
| (2003–2005) Yo Check Out This Ride EP |
|
| (2005–2006) Charge%21%21 |
|
| (2006–current) Radio Down Hi-Five Soup |
Ian Fowles Ian Walton Fowles is an American musician and author, best known as the original guitarist for the Orange County hardcore punk band Death by Stereo and as the current guitarist of the Orange County rock band The Aquabats, of which he performs under the stage name Eagle "Bones"... - guitar |
Current members
- The MC Bat Commander (formerly the Caped Commander or the Bat Commander) (Christian Jacobs) – vocalsSingingSinging is the act of producing musical sounds with the voice, and augments regular speech by the use of both tonality and rhythm. One who sings is called a singer or vocalist. Singers perform music known as songs that can be sung either with or without accompaniment by musical instruments...
(1994–present) - Crash McLarson (Chad Larson) – bassBass guitarThe bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
, backing vocals (1994–present) - Jimmy the Robot (formerly Jaime the Robot or simply "The Robot") (James Briggs) – keyboardsElectronic keyboardAn electronic keyboard is an electronic or digital keyboard instrument.The major components of a typical modern electronic keyboard are:...
, saxophoneSaxophoneThe saxophone is a conical-bore transposing musical instrument that is a member of the woodwind family. Saxophones are usually made of brass and played with a single-reed mouthpiece similar to that of the clarinet. The saxophone was invented by the Belgian instrument maker Adolphe Sax in 1846...
, other brass and wind instruments, backing vocals (1997–present) - Ricky Fitness (Ricky FalomirRichard FalomirRichard Falomir is an American musician, perhaps best known as the current drummer for the Orange County rock band The Aquabats, in which he performs under the stage name Ricky Fitness....
) – drumsDrum kitA drum kit is a collection of drums, cymbals and often other percussion instruments, such as cowbells, wood blocks, triangles, chimes, or tambourines, arranged for convenient playing by a single person ....
, percussionPercussion instrumentA percussion instrument is any object which produces a sound when hit with an implement or when it is shaken, rubbed, scraped, or otherwise acted upon in a way that sets the object into vibration...
, backing vocals (2002–present) - Eagle "Bones" Falconhawk (Ian FowlesIan FowlesIan Walton Fowles is an American musician and author, best known as the original guitarist for the Orange County hardcore punk band Death by Stereo and as the current guitarist of the Orange County rock band The Aquabats, of which he performs under the stage name Eagle "Bones"...
) – guitarGuitarThe guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
, backing vocals (2006–present)
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 BarkerTravis BarkerTravis Landon Barker is an American musician, producer and entrepreneur, most noted as the drummer for the American pop punk band Blink-182, as well as the alternative rock band +44, the rap rock band The Transplants, and the alternative rock band Box Car Racer. He was a frequent collaborator with...
) – drums, percussion (1997–1998) - Catboy (Boyd Terry) – trumpetTrumpetThe trumpet is the musical instrument with the highest register in the brass family. Trumpets are among the oldest musical instruments, dating back to at least 1500 BCE. They are played by blowing air through closed lips, producing a "buzzing" sound which starts a standing wave vibration in the air...
, other brass instruments, backing vocals (1994–2000) - Doctor Rock (Gabe Palmer) – drums (1998–2000)
- Ultra Kyu/The Mysterious Kyu (Charles GrayCharles Gray (musician)Charles Gray is an American musician, best known for his tenure as the guitarist for the Orange County rock band The Aquabats, of which he served as a member from 1994 to 2000 under the stage name of Ultra Kyu and later The Mysterious Kyu ....
) – 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)
Discography
The discographyDiscography
Discography is the study and listing of the details concerning sound recordings, often by specified artists or within identified musical genres...
of The Aquabats consists of five studio album
Studio album
A studio album is an album made up of tracks recorded in the controlled environment of a recording studio. A studio album contains newly written and recorded or previously unreleased or remixed material, distinguishing itself from a compilation or reissue album of previously recorded material, or...
s, one compilation album
Compilation album
A compilation album is an album featuring tracks from one or more performers, often culled from a variety of sources The tracks are usually collected according to a common characteristic, such as popularity, genre, source or subject matter...
, two EPs
Extended play
An EP is a musical recording which contains more music than a single, but is too short to qualify as a full album or LP. The term EP originally referred only to specific types of vinyl records other than 78 rpm standard play records and LP records, but it is now applied to mid-length Compact...
, one video album
Film
A film, also called a movie or motion picture, is a series of still or moving images. It is produced by recording photographic images with cameras, or by creating images using animation techniques or visual effects...
, and three music video
Music video
A music video or song video is a short film integrating a song and imagery, produced for promotional or artistic purposes. Modern music videos are primarily made and used as a marketing device intended to promote the sale of music recordings...
s.
Studio albums
| Year | Album details | Peak chart positions | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| US Billboard charts The Billboard charts tabulate the relative weekly popularity of songs or albums in the United States. The results are published in Billboard magazine... |
||||||
| Billboard 200 Billboard 200 The Billboard 200 is a ranking of the 200 highest-selling music albums and EPs in the United States, published weekly by Billboard magazine. It is frequently used to convey the popularity of an artist or groups of artists... |
Independent |
Heatseekers Top Heatseekers Top Heatseekers refers to either of two separate "Breaking and Entering" music charts issued weekly by Billboard Magazine: the Heatseekers Albums chart or the Heatseekers Songs chart. They were introduced by Billboard in 1993 with the purpose of highlighting the sales by new and developing musical... |
Rock |
Kids Kid Albums Kid Albums is a music chart published weekly by Billboard magazine which ranks the top selling children's music albums in the United States. The chart debuted on the issue dated September 9, 1995. It originally began as, and still is, a 15-position chart... |
||
| 1996 | The Return of the Aquabats
|
— | — | — | — | — |
| 1997 | The Fury of the Aquabats! The Fury of the Aquabats! The Fury of the Aquabats! is second studio album by American band The Aquabats, released in October 1997 on Goldenvoice Records and Time Bomb Recordings.-Overview:... Time Bomb Recordings Time Bomb Recordings is a Laguna Beach, California based record label founded by Social Distortion manager Jim Guerinot in a 1994 joint-venture agreement with Arista Records... |
172 | — | 12 | — | — |
| 1999 | The Aquabats vs. the Floating Eye of Death!
|
— | — | 35 | — | — |
| 2005 | Charge!! Charge!! Charge!! is the fifth studio album by American band The Aquabats, released on June 7, 2005 on Nitro Records.-Album overview:The album was very similar in sound to the previous year's EP, Yo, Check Out This Ride!. Sonically, the band had lost nearly all of the horn sounds from earlier albums... Nitro Records Nitro Records is an independent record label created and owned by Dexter Holland and Greg Kriesel . They started the label in 1994. The label is famous for being an incubator for punk rock artists who have subsequently become successful, most notably AFI... |
— | 30 | 21 | — | — |
| 2011 | Hi-Five Soup! Hi-Five Soup! - Personnel :The Aquabats*The MC Bat Commander – vocals*Crash McLarson – bass, backing vocals*Eagle "Bones" Falconhawk – guitar, backing vocals*Jimmy The Robot – keyboards, backing vocals*Ricky Fitness – drums, percussion, backing vocalsAdditional musicians... Fearless Records Fearless Records is an alternative rock-oriented record label that has been signing artists since 1994. Fearless is based in Westminster, California and are best known for their early pop-punk moments captured in the Fearless Flush Sampler and Punk Bites releases, as well as additional releases by... |
181 | 24 | 5 | 45 | 7 |
| "—" denotes releases that did not chart. | ||||||
Compilation albums
| Year | Album details |
|---|---|
| 2000 | Myths, Legends, and Other Amazing Adventures, Vol. 2 Myths, Legends, and Other Amazing Adventures, Vol. 2 Myths, Legends and Other Amazing Adventures, Vol. 2 is a compilation album by American band The Aquabats , released in 2000 on Fearless Records....
|
Extended plays
| Year | Album details |
|---|---|
| 2004 | Yo! Check Out This Ride! EP
|
| 2010 | Radio Down! Radio Down! Radio Down! is an EP single by American band The Aquabats, released on November 9, 2010.-Overview:The Aquabats had announced plans earlier in the year for their next studio album to be released on this date, though a last-minute deal with Fearless Records postponed the album's release to January... Fearless Records Fearless Records is an alternative rock-oriented record label that has been signing artists since 1994. Fearless is based in Westminster, California and are best known for their early pop-punk moments captured in the Fearless Flush Sampler and Punk Bites releases, as well as additional releases by... Music download A music download is the transferral of music from an Internet-facing computer or website to a user's local computer. This term encompasses both legal downloads and downloads of copyright material without permission or payment... , CD |
Video albums
| Year | Album details |
|---|---|
| 2003 | Serious Awesomeness! Serious Awesomeness! Serious Awesomeness! is a DVD by The Aquabats, released in 2003 through Fearless Records. The DVD contains a full 2003 live performance by the band at The Glass House venue in Pomona, California, numerous clips spanning the entirety of the Aquabats' history, music videos, behind-the-scenes footage...
|
Music videos
| Year | Song | Director | Album |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1995 | "CD Repo Man" | The Return of the Aquabats | |
| 1997 | "Super Rad!" | Bobcat Goldthwait Bobcat Goldthwait Robert Francis "Bobcat" Goldthwait is an American actor, comedian, screenwriter, and film and television director. He is commonly known for his energetic, ravenous stage personality, his dark, acerbic black comedy, and his gruff but high-pitched voice.- Early life :Goldthwait was born in Syracuse,... |
The Fury of the Aquabats! The Fury of the Aquabats! The Fury of the Aquabats! is second studio album by American band The Aquabats, released in October 1997 on Goldenvoice Records and Time Bomb Recordings.-Overview:... |
| 2005 | "Fashion Zombies!" | Christian Jacobs | Charge!! Charge!! Charge!! is the fifth studio album by American band The Aquabats, released on June 7, 2005 on Nitro Records.-Album overview:The album was very similar in sound to the previous year's EP, Yo, Check Out This Ride!. Sonically, the band had lost nearly all of the horn sounds from earlier albums... |
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 California Ska-Quake, Vol. 2: The Aftershock California Ska-Quake, Vol. 2: The Aftershock is a compilation album released by Moon Ska Records on 3 September 1996. The album was created as a follow-up to California Ska-Quake, serving as a snapshot of the active mid-1990s California ska scene....
|
(alternate version) |
| 1997 | Take Warning: The Songs of Operation Ivy
|
(originally performed by Operation Ivy Operation Ivy (band) Operation Ivy was an American ska punk band that formed in Berkeley, California, and was often credited with spurring the 1990s punk revival in California. It is well-known as one of the first bands to "mix" hardcore punk with elements of ska, known as ska-core... ) |
| We Are Not Devo
|
(originally performed by Devo Devo Devo is an American band formed in 1973 consisting of members from Kent and Akron, Ohio. The classic line-up of the band includes two sets of brothers, the Mothersbaughs and the Casales . The band had a #14 Billboard chart hit in 1980 with the single "Whip It", and has maintained a cult... ) |
|
| The Ska Parade: Runnin' Naked Thru the Cornfield
|
(live on Ska Parade Ska Parade Ska Parade, now known as SP Radio One, is a southern California radio show whose goal is to promote up-and-coming ska artists, as well as other types of new bands. The show was created by Tazy Phyllipz and Albino Brown. The show was a part of the Orange County third-wave ska movement of the mid-1990s... radio show) |
|
| Freedom Sounds: A Tribute to the Skatalites
Shanachie Records Shanachie Records was founded in 1976 by Richard Nevins and Dan Collins. According to Harvey Pekar , it is one of the largest independent record labels in the world, and is currently distributed by E1 Music. Starting as a label that specialized in fiddle music, they began releasing work by Celtic... |
(originally performed by The Skatalites The Skatalites The Skatalites are a ska band from Jamaica. They played initially between 1963 and 1965, and recorded many of their best known songs in the period, including "Guns of Navarone". They also played on records by Prince Buster and backed many other Jamaican artists who recorded during that period... ) |
|
| 2000 | Punk Goes Metal Punk Goes Metal Punk Goes Metal was the first compilation album to be released as part of the Punk Goes... series created by Fearless Records. It features covers of heavy metal songs by punk rock bands and was released on August 1, 2000.... Fearless Records Fearless Records is an alternative rock-oriented record label that has been signing artists since 1994. Fearless is based in Westminster, California and are best known for their early pop-punk moments captured in the Fearless Flush Sampler and Punk Bites releases, as well as additional releases by... |
|
| Rice Capades
|
(demo version) |
|
| 2005 | Dead Bands Party: A Tribute to Oingo Boingo Dead Bands Party: A Tribute to Oingo Boingo Dead Bands Party: A Tribute to Oingo Boingo is a tribute album by various artists to the band Oingo Boingo.-Track listing:# "Dead Man's Party" – 4:14# "Only a Lad" – 3:22# "Violent Love" –... Indianola Records Indianola Records is an independent record label that mainly focuses on hardcore and metal.-Overview:Indianola Records was founded in 1999 with the release of Life Before's "Reflections on Tomorrow". The label quickly gained worldwide recognition in 2001 with the release of Evergreen Terrace’s... |
(originally performed by Oingo Boingo Oingo Boingo Oingo Boingo was an American new wave band. They are best known for their influence on other musicians, their soundtrack contributions and their high energy Halloween concerts. The band was founded in 1972 as The Mystic Knights of the Oingo Boingo, a performance art group... ) |
| 2010 | Mega64: The Soundtrack
Mega64 Mega64 is a low-budget series of comedy skits centered on video games.-Premise:In the not too distant future, a sinister scientist named Dr. Poque creates the most powerful video game console ever assembled... |
(instrumental version) |
| 2011 | Music Is Awesome! Vol. 3
|
|
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 cartoonCartoon
A cartoon is a form of two-dimensional illustrated visual art. While the specific definition has changed over time, modern usage refers to a typically non-realistic or semi-realistic drawing or painting intended for satire, caricature, or humor, or to the artistic style of such works...
show Welcome to Eltingville
Welcome to Eltingville
Welcome to Eltingville is an animated comedy pilot based on Evan Dorkin Eisner Award winning comic book, Dork!; which takes place in Eltingville, Staten Island. The pilot episode, titled "Bring Me the Head of Boba Fett", in the premiered in the United States on March 3, 2002, on Cartoon Network's...
. Members of the band also appear in and record voices for the children's program Yo Gabba Gabba!
Yo Gabba Gabba!
Yo Gabba Gabba! is an American children's television show currently airing on the Nick Jr. cable network in the United States and the Nick Jr. networks in the United Kingdom & Ireland, Italy, France and Australia as well as Treehouse TV network in Canada and RTE2 on RTEjr see Raidió Teilifís...
, 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
Mega64
Mega64 is a low-budget series of comedy skits centered on video games.-Premise:In the not too distant future, a sinister scientist named Dr. Poque creates the most powerful video game console ever assembled...
, 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 has used The Aquabats' "Lonely Horseman!" as its main theme song.