The Broadways
Encyclopedia
The Broadways were a short-lived punk
band from Chicago
, Illinois
, formed in 1996 after the dissolution of the influential ska-punk band Slapstick
. The latter's vocalist Brendan Kelly
and trumpet
player Dan Hanaway assumed the roles of bassist and guitarist, joined by Rob DePaola on drums and Chris McCaughan (formerly of Tricky Dick) on guitar. All but DePaola also assumed vocal duties.
, Fifteen
and Jawbreaker
and their songs are typically characterised by socio-policital lyrics and a lack of adherence to traditional verse-chorus structures (both musically and lyrically).
The band released one full album, Broken Star
, in 1998 on Asian Man Records
. They broke up later that year, with Kelly stating a reason of "all of us growing out of where we were in our lives when we started the band". Subsequently, Kelly and McCaughan formed The Lawrence Arms
, while Hanaway and DePaola formed The Honor System
.
A compilation entitled Broken Van
was released in 2000, comprising 6 songs recorded after Broken Star (thought to have been planned for release on a split with Baxter
http://broadways2.tripod.com/http://blogs.myspace.com/thebroadwayschicago) and all songs from their earlier EPs.
In 2007 and 2008, Asian Man Records
announced plans to reissue both of the band's albums on vinyl and CD. Broken Star had long since sold out on vinyl, while Broken Van had been CD-only; both had for some time been out of stock on CD. http://64.233.169.104/search?q=cache:Aua51DkHkUQJ:www.asianmanrecords.com/ In late 2007, Mike Park
posted a topic on the label's forum stating that he could not find a copy of Broken Van and would need a fan to provide one in order to go ahead. http://www.asianmanrecords.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=6873 Broken Van went on sale in July 2008, and Broken Star shortly after.
performed songs by The Broadways during their late 2007 tour: "15 Minutes" and "The Kitchen Floor". Notably, Brendan sang "15 Minutes", which was originally sung by Dan; its inclusion instead of one of his own songs is probably due to its relative popularity among The Broadways' catalogue, being their only track offered as a free download on the official Asian Man Records website. Also performed during the tour was Slapstick's "Broken Down". The likely reason for this is that, since the tour was something of a showcase for Brendan and Chris's various projects, incorporating their side projects The Falcon
and Sundowner
, some of their older songs were added for the sake of completion and to please die-hard fans. It is unclear whether any future performances will feature old songs.
As part of the Asian Man Records
15th anniversary festival in 2011, for which founder Mike Park
set himself the lofty aim of recruiting (including reuniting, if necessary) every band who had ever released on his label, all four members of The Broadways reunited to play an afternoon matinee show on the 17th of June. The festival had already seen Dan and Brendan perform in their earlier band Slapstick
the day before, and would also see both go on to participate in performances by their current bands (respectively) Ratasucia and The Lawrence Arms
.
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...
band from Chicago
Chicago
Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...
, Illinois
Illinois
Illinois is the fifth-most populous state of the United States of America, and is often noted for being a microcosm of the entire country. With Chicago in the northeast, small industrial cities and great agricultural productivity in central and northern Illinois, and natural resources like coal,...
, formed in 1996 after the dissolution of the influential ska-punk band Slapstick
Slapstick (band)
Slapstick 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. The group was active from 1993 to 1996 on...
. The latter's vocalist Brendan Kelly
Brendan Kelly (musician)
Brendan Kelly is the bassist/vocalist of Chicago-based punk band The Lawrence Arms, as well as guitarist/lead vocalist in The Falcon. Kelly's former bands include Slapstick and The Broadways...
and 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...
player Dan Hanaway assumed the roles of bassist and guitarist, joined by Rob DePaola on drums and Chris McCaughan (formerly of Tricky Dick) on guitar. All but DePaola also assumed vocal duties.
History
The Broadways acknowledged influence from and drew comparisons to CrimpshrineCrimpshrine
Crimpshrine was an American punk rock band from Berkeley, California. The group was formed in 1982 by Aaron Cometbus, founder of the seminal punk rock zine Cometbus, and a friend, Jeff Ott. Within D.I.Y...
, Fifteen
Fifteen (band)
Fifteen was a punk rock band formed by Jeff Ott. Ott was the group's main songwriter and only consistent member. According to Ott, the band had a total of fifteen members by the time it finally disbanded in 2000: Jack Curran, Mikey Mischief, Mark Moreno, Jean Repetto, Lucky Dog, Chris Flanagan,...
and Jawbreaker
Jawbreaker (band)
Jawbreaker was an American punk rock band active from 1986 to 1996 and considered one of the most influential acts of the early-1990s emo movement...
and their songs are typically characterised by socio-policital lyrics and a lack of adherence to traditional verse-chorus structures (both musically and lyrically).
The band released one full album, Broken Star
Broken Star
- Reissue :In 2007 and 2008, Asian Man Records announced plans to reissue both of the band's albums on vinyl and CD. Broken Star had long since sold out on vinyl, while its successor Broken Van had been CD-only; both had for some time been out of stock on CD...
, in 1998 on Asian Man Records
Asian Man Records
Asian 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 broke up later that year, with Kelly stating a reason of "all of us growing out of where we were in our lives when we started the band". Subsequently, Kelly and McCaughan formed The Lawrence Arms
The Lawrence Arms
The Lawrence Arms are an American punk rock band from Chicago, Illinois, formed in 1999. They have released five full-length albums and toured extensively.-Pre-history:...
, while Hanaway and DePaola formed The Honor System
The Honor System
The 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...
.
A compilation entitled Broken Van
Broken Van
Broken Van is a compilation of early and previously unreleased material by The Broadways. With the exception of "Fuck the Church", available only on the Drive-Thru Records compilation Where's the Beef?, it completes the band's discography alongside their sole full-length album Broken Star.Tracks...
was released in 2000, comprising 6 songs recorded after Broken Star (thought to have been planned for release on a split with Baxter
Baxter (punk band)
Baxter was a Chicago post-hardcore band. The band consisted of Tim McIlrath , Neil Hennessy, , Timothy Remis, and a bassist only referred to as J...
http://broadways2.tripod.com/http://blogs.myspace.com/thebroadwayschicago) and all songs from their earlier EPs.
In 2007 and 2008, Asian Man Records
Asian Man Records
Asian 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:...
announced plans to reissue both of the band's albums on vinyl and CD. Broken Star had long since sold out on vinyl, while Broken Van had been CD-only; both had for some time been out of stock on CD. http://64.233.169.104/search?q=cache:Aua51DkHkUQJ:www.asianmanrecords.com/ In late 2007, Mike Park
Mike Park
Mike Park is a Korean American musician and progressive activist. His musical ventures include Skankin' Pickle for whom he both played the saxophone and sang, The Chinkees, The Bruce Lee Band, and most recently an acoustic solo project under his own name...
posted a topic on the label's forum stating that he could not find a copy of Broken Van and would need a fan to provide one in order to go ahead. http://www.asianmanrecords.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=6873 Broken Van went on sale in July 2008, and Broken Star shortly after.
Members
- Brendan KellyBrendan Kelly (musician)Brendan Kelly is the bassist/vocalist of Chicago-based punk band The Lawrence Arms, as well as guitarist/lead vocalist in The Falcon. Kelly's former bands include Slapstick and The Broadways...
: bass, vocals - Dan Hanaway: guitar, vocals
- Chris McCaughanChris McCaughanChris McCaughan is the guitarist and vocalist in the band The Lawrence Arms. McCaughan was formerly the guitarist for the bands Tricky Dick and The Broadways ....
: guitar, vocals - Rob DePaola: drums
EPs, etc.
- We All Know That You Can Do It 7" (Bicycle Records, 1997)
- Where's The Beef? compilation (Drive Thru Records, 1997): contains the exclusive song "Fuck the Church"
- Big City Life EP (Asian Man Records, 1998)
Albums
- Broken StarBroken Star- Reissue :In 2007 and 2008, Asian Man Records announced plans to reissue both of the band's albums on vinyl and CD. Broken Star had long since sold out on vinyl, while its successor Broken Van had been CD-only; both had for some time been out of stock on CD...
(Asian Man Records, 1998) - Broken VanBroken VanBroken Van is a compilation of early and previously unreleased material by The Broadways. With the exception of "Fuck the Church", available only on the Drive-Thru Records compilation Where's the Beef?, it completes the band's discography alongside their sole full-length album Broken Star.Tracks...
(Asian Man Records, 2000)
Legacy
Despite having claimed that they never would http://www.absolutepunk.net/showthread.php?t=119612, The Lawrence ArmsThe Lawrence Arms
The Lawrence Arms are an American punk rock band from Chicago, Illinois, formed in 1999. They have released five full-length albums and toured extensively.-Pre-history:...
performed songs by The Broadways during their late 2007 tour: "15 Minutes" and "The Kitchen Floor". Notably, Brendan sang "15 Minutes", which was originally sung by Dan; its inclusion instead of one of his own songs is probably due to its relative popularity among The Broadways' catalogue, being their only track offered as a free download on the official Asian Man Records website. Also performed during the tour was Slapstick's "Broken Down". The likely reason for this is that, since the tour was something of a showcase for Brendan and Chris's various projects, incorporating their side projects The Falcon
The Falcon (band)
The 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...
and Sundowner
Sundowner (band)
Sundowner 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...
, some of their older songs were added for the sake of completion and to please die-hard fans. It is unclear whether any future performances will feature old songs.
As part of the Asian Man Records
Asian Man Records
Asian 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:...
15th anniversary festival in 2011, for which founder Mike Park
Mike Park
Mike Park is a Korean American musician and progressive activist. His musical ventures include Skankin' Pickle for whom he both played the saxophone and sang, The Chinkees, The Bruce Lee Band, and most recently an acoustic solo project under his own name...
set himself the lofty aim of recruiting (including reuniting, if necessary) every band who had ever released on his label, all four members of The Broadways reunited to play an afternoon matinee show on the 17th of June. The festival had already seen Dan and Brendan perform in their earlier band Slapstick
Slapstick (band)
Slapstick 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. The group was active from 1993 to 1996 on...
the day before, and would also see both go on to participate in performances by their current bands (respectively) Ratasucia and The Lawrence Arms
The Lawrence Arms
The Lawrence Arms are an American punk rock band from Chicago, Illinois, formed in 1999. They have released five full-length albums and toured extensively.-Pre-history:...
.