The Aquabats (often written as 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 superheroes on a quest to save the world from evil through music. As a part of this mythology the band members have adopted superhero pseudonyms 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.
History
[edit]1994–1996: Formation
The Aquabats formed in 1994 in Huntington Beach, California.[citation needed] 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 guitars, Chad Larson (Crash McLarson) on bass, Boyd Terry (Catboy) and Adam Deibert (Prince Adam) on trumpets, 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.[citation needed] 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.[citation needed] Trumpet player and original member, Boyd Terry worked for Aleeda making wetsuits, 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[citation needed] 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[citation needed] that also included bands such as Reel Big Fish, Sublime, The Hippos, Buck-O-Nine, No Doubt, and Save Ferris.
Tidak ada komentar:
Posting Komentar