RETROSPECTIVE SERIES
Where’d They Go? Jawbreaker
Selling out to break out
In the mid-’90s, a band–by the name of Green Day gained a massive following when they released their debut Dookie. With the success of Green Day, music companies scouted the next punk champions.
Music companies found their new golden boys with Jawbreaker. They hoped this Northern California trio could enrich them.
Music companies’ appeal in Jawbreaker diminished when the album they distributed through a major label failed.
Jawbreaker’s poor reception of the album caused them to leave their contract deal and disband—leaving behind the success they could’ve earned with a major.
So, where’d they go?
Rise
Jawbreaker’s climb to punk supremacy began in 1986 in New York University when—two childhood friends—from Santa Monica, California Blake Schwarzenbach, and Adam Pfahler formed a band. Blake Schwarzenbach played guitar, and Adam Pfahler played drums. All they needed was a bassist. Responding to a flyer by Chris Bauermeister, the two of them ask if Bauermeister wanted to join.
Chris Bauermeister didn’t hesitate to respond, and the band was born. The trio then began practicing in Giant Studios on Sixth Avenue. Before the…
