The Aquabats

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Biography

The Aquabats are an United States|American Rock music|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 Christian Jacobs|The MC Bat Commander and Chad Larson|Crash McLarson as regular fixtures. James Briggs (musician)|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 ska|third wave of ska music, with touches of surf rock|surf and punk rock . Over the years their music shifted towards more synthesizer -based rock with a New Wave music|new wave influence. Their current style blends elements of rock and roll , pop-punk , ska, and synthpop .

History

1994–1996: Formation

The Aquabats formed in 1994 in Brea, California . Vocalist Christian Jacobs , bassist Chad Larson , and trumpet player Boyd Terry formed friendships while attending the same Mormon church. The trio recruited more friends from church and began rehearsing together in the garage of a house that Jacobs and Larson shared. Inspired by the matching-outfit stage concept of Devo , the band purchased wetsuits at a surf-equipment store owned by Terry's brother to create costumes. The group played its first show at a party in August of 1994, but Larson recalled, "The first performance we did as a joke. We weren't trying to be a band. We were trying to have fun." After enlisting Jacobs' younger brother Parker, the group began conceptualizing its style, creating pseudonyms for each of the members. However, the band struggled to develop its sound, and disapproved of the violence associated with the punk rock scene. While attending a ska show in Orange County, Jacobs noted "No one was fighting or pushing each other but having a good time. It wasn't, 'Let's start a pit and maybe my boots will cause someone to bleed.' We started the Aquabats to be part of the fun."

Their music was heavily rooted in surf rock, punk rock, pop, and ska, and influenced by groups such as Devo , Oingo Boingo , Madness (band)|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 rashguard s 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 (band)|Sublime , The Hippos , Buck-O-Nine , No Doubt , and Save Ferris .

1997–2000: Goldenvoice years

By early 1996 Arellano had left the group and been replaced by Travis Barker (The Baron von Tito) on Drum kit|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 (musician)|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, 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 band's extravagant stage shows became too expensive for Goldenvoice to finance, and the label dropped the group from its lineup. Using the internet and touring to promote themselves, the band members began working day jobs to fund the group. Jacobs likened the experience to Peter Parker and Clark Kent working by day and fighting crime by night. Although the Aquabats had been approached to write songs for Spider-Man (film)|Spider-man and The Powerpuff Girls Movie , the group could not follow through due to lack of major label support: "One of the good things money from a big record company provides is that it would've given us advance time to actually write songs for these movies." 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.

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 Richard Falomir|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& #33; Check Out This Ride& #33; 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.

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 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! " 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 (TV channel)|The Hub in the fall of that year.

Superhero mythos

Throughout their career the Aquabats have maintained a fictitious backstory which purports them to be superheroes from a distant island called Aquabania. The band's costumes and pseudonyms tie into this mythology, which is detailed in the liner notes of their albums. Over the years the story of their origins has evolved, changed, and occasionally been Retroactive continuity|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.

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, California|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.

Band members

The Aquabats lineups
(only official members listed)>

(1994–1997) The Return of the Aquabats Christian Jacobs\|The Caped Commander - Singing\|vocals Ben Bergeson\|Ben the Brain - guitar Courtney Pollock\|Chainsaw - guitar Chad Larson\|Crash McLarson - bass guitar\|bass Boyd Terry\|Catboy - trumpet Adam Deibert\|Prince Adam - trumpet Chad Parkin\|Nacho - electronic keyboard\|keyboards Rod Arellano\|Roddy B. - drum kit\|drums
(1997–1998) The Fury of the Aquabats! The Bat Commander - vocals Charles Gray (musician)\|Ultra Kyu - guitar, other strings Chainsaw the Prince of Karate - guitar Crash McLarson - bass Catboy - trumpet , other brass, organ Prince Adam - trumpet, synthesizer James Briggs (musician)\|Jaime the Robot - saxophone , other brass and winds, keyboards Travis Barker\|The Baron von Tito - drums
(1998–2002) The Aquabats vs. the Floating Eye of Death! Myths, Legends, and Other Amazing Adventures, Vol. 2 The MC Bat Commander - vocals The Mysterious Kyu - guitar Chainsaw Karate - guitar Crash McLarson - bass Catboy - trumpet Prince Adam - trumpet, harpsichord The Robot - woodwind instrument\|woodwinds , keyboards Gabe Palmer\|Doctor Rock - drums
(2002–2003) live shows only Serious Awesomeness! DVD The MC Bat Commander - vocals Chainsaw the Prince of Karate - guitar Crash McLarson - bass Catboy - trumpet Prince Adam - trumpet, harpsichord The Robot - woodwinds, keyboards Richard Falomir\|Ricky Fitness - drums
(2003–2005) Yo! Check Out This Ride! EP The MC Bat Commander - vocals Chainsaw, Prince of Karate - guitar Crash McLarson - bass Prince Adam - trumpet, guitar, synthesizer Jimmy the Robot - saxophone, keyboards Ricky Fitness - drums
(2005–2006) Charge%21%21 The MC Bat Commander - vocals Chainsaw - guitar Crash McLarson - bass Jimmy the Robot - keyboards Ricky Fitness - drums
(2006–current) Radio Down! Hi-Five Soup! The MC Bat Commander - vocals Ian Fowles\|Eagle "Bones" Falconhawk - guitar Crash McLarson - bass Jimmy the Robot - keyboards, saxophone Ricky Fitness - drums

Current members

The MC Bat Commander (formerly the Caped Commander or the Bat Commander) ( Christian Jacobs ) – Singing|vocals (1994–present)

Crash McLarson ( Chad Larson ) – bass guitar|bass , backing vocals (1994–present)

Jimmy the Robot (formerly Jaime the Robot or simply "The Robot") ( James Briggs (musician)|James Briggs ) – electronic keyboard|keyboards , saxophone , other brass and wind instruments, backing vocals (1997–present)

Ricky Fitness ( Richard Falomir|Ricky Falomir ) – drum kit|drums , Percussion instrument|percussion , backing vocals (2002–present)

Eagle "Bones" Falconhawk ( Ian Fowles ) – guitar , 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 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 (musician)|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 Pollock|Courtney "Corey" Pollock ) – guitar (1994–2006)

Discography

The Return of the Aquabats (1996)

The Fury of the Aquabats (1997)

The Aquabats vs. the Floating Eye of Death! (1999)

Charge!! (2005)

Hi-Five Soup! (2011)

Music in television

The Aquabats have appeared in and recorded music for several television shows aimed at young audiences. In 2000 the band recorded the opening and closing theme songs for a pilot episode of the cartoon show Welcome to Eltingville . Members of the band also appear in and record voices for the children's program Yo Gabba Gabba! , which Christian Jacobs (The MC Bat Commander) co-created, writes, and directs. The band played a children's version of their song "Pool Party" on the show in the episode titled "Summer." The original, instrumental version of "Sequence Erase!" is used as the theme song and several other songs are used in the credits for Mega64 , in which Christian Jacobs and Ricky Falomir have made cameo appearances, and in which several characters are sometimes portrayed wearing Aquabats T-shirts. In addition to the show, the Mega64 Podcast has used The Aquabats' "Lonely Horseman!" as its main theme song.

Copyright Citations

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