The Aquabats

The Aquabats Bio

The Aquabats are a musical ensemble from Southern California known for their humorous lyrics and outrageous live shows, during which the band is often attacked by supervillains onstage. Their early releases were heavily rooted in ska music in its Third Wave form, with touches of surf and punk in a madcap blend.

Band Info

Years active: 1995�present
Country: California, USA
Status: Active
Music genre: Third-wave ska, Electronic, New Wave
Record label: Nitro
Current members: The MC Bat Commander, Chainsaw: The Prince of Karate, Crash McLarson, Jimmy the Robot, Ricky Fitness

The band's later albums have moved far beyond their ska roots and have branched into many musical genres, including a large electronic influence. Their current sound blends upbeat rock and roll, New Wave-type post-punk, and ska/rocksteady with synth replacing their horn and woodwind section. Notable influences upon the Aquabats are Devo, Oingo Boingo, Madness, Surf Punks, Peter Tosh, and The Skatalites.

Band members

The members of the band are not commonly known by their true names, instead they go by superhero pseudonyms. They usually wear superhero outfits on stage. Anti-negativity helmets, rash guards, and power belts designed by Paul Frank generally make up these costumes. The current members of the band, and the instruments they play are:
* The MC Bat Commander � Vocals
* Chainsaw: The Prince of Karate � Guitar
* Ricky Fitness � Drums
* Crash McLarson � Bass Guitar
* Jimmy The Robot, formerly known Jaime The Robot, James The Robot or simply The Robot, � Saxophone, Keyboard, and Synthesizer
*in the latest tours, Prince Adam has returned to the band

The group is also sometimes aided by Professor Monty Corndog, the man who supposedly gave the band their superpowers.

Past members of the band include Prince Adam, Catboy, Ultra Kyu (later known as the Mysterious Kyu), Doctor Rock, Ben the Brain, Nacho, Roddy B, Macaroni the New Columbus, Popeye, and the Baron von Tito (aka Travis Barker of Blink-182).

Band mythology

The Aquabats have an extensive backstory concerning their origin. According to the story, the band used to live in an idyllic country known as "Aquabania." Suddenly, Aquabania was attacked by Space Monster 'M', who is a powerful villain, forcing the group to flee their home and take to the ocean in a hollowed-out log. They finally landed in California, where they were taken in by the kind Professor, who proceeded to use chemicals to give the band their powers. The band decided to use their musical powers to take over the world and defeat Space Monster 'M'. To this day, the band continues to be attacked by various villains and ne'er-do-wells, some of which are listed below:

* Powdered Milk Man
* The Sandfleas
* The Silver Skull
* The Floating Eye of Death
* Cyclopsis
* Gas Face
* Grungor
* Weedy, the Broccoli-Bee
* The Werecrip
* Kitty Litter
* Toxic Waste Man
* A Tree

* Russian Hackers
* Cobra Man
* Android Dolphin
* The Lab Rabbit
* Clowny Clown Clown
* The Cosmic Gisler
* Pink Tusk
* The Rock Monster
* Mant
* Pumpkin Face
* The White Buffalo
* Armani Ape

* Forrest Craig
* Preston Linville
* The Ska Boss
* Moneyman
* Dr Space Mummy
* The Cobnobbler
* The Mauler
* The Red Spider Gang
* El Demonico
* The "Big Cheese"
* The Cat With 2 Heads
* The Tiger Eating Rock Monster
* Fashion Zombies

The band is often attacked inbetween songs during their shows by various monsters, who they usually dispatch in a timely matter. On the band's most recent tour, in support of Charge!!, the shows have featured villain segments where a monster (such as Mudgirl) walks on stage and is beaten by the MC Bat Commander with a microphone in usual fashion, only to have the Professor come onstage and inform the Commander that the monster was friendly, and only trying to watch the show. The Commander then reflects on how one should not judge a person by their appearance, and the show resumes.

Aquacadets

The band is supported by a fiercely loyal fan club known as the ''Aquacadets''. Every year the band holds a special Cadet-only show known as the Aquacadet Summit. This is usually held in a secret location revealed only to the Cadets. The Cadets also maintain a message board community on the official Aquabats website, (More Info)

Discography

* 1995 - ''The Return of the Aquabats!'', Horchata Records.
* 1997 - ''The Fury of the Aquabats!'', Golden Voice Records.
* 1999 - ''The Aquabats vs. the Floating Eye of Death!'', Golden Voice Records.
* 2000 - ''Myths, Legends, and Other Amazing Adventures, Vol. 2'', Horchata Records/Fearless Records.
* 2003 - ''Serious Awesomeness!'' (DVD with a live show, music video, and more.), Fearless Records.
* 2004 - ''Yo, Check Out This Ride | Yo, Check Out This Ride!'' (E.P.), The Aquabats Music Records.
* 2005 - ''Charge!!'' , Nitro Records.

The Aquabats signed to Nitro Records in 2004. Tracks from the new album were performed at the South by Southwest festival in Austin, Texas, as well as at shows in Arizona. Official track listings, album art, release dates, and the album title were announced April 1st (April Fool's Day) on the official web site, along with a free download of a new song, Fashion Zombies!

Older History

The Aquabats "original" performing (musical) members were:

* Christian "The Bat Commander" Jacobs - Vocals
* Chad "Crash McLarson" Larson - Bass guitar
* Charles "Ultra Kyu" Grey - Guitar
* Courtney "Chainsaw: The Prince of Karate" Pollock - Guitar
* Boyd "CatBoy" Terry - Trumpet
* Adam "Prince Adam" Deibert - Trumpet
* Rod "Roddy B" Arellano - Drums
* Ben "The Brain" Bergeson - Guitar
* Chad "Nacho" Parkin - Keyboards

Copyright Citations

This article is licensed under the GNU License
Click here for original article: The Aquabats

The Aquabats Biography