The discography of Jawbreaker, an American punk rock band active from 1986 to 1996, and again since 2017, consists of four studio albums, one live album, one compilation album, two extended plays (EPs) and eight singles. The group has also contributed multiple songs to various compilations over the years, both during their time together as a band and posthumously.
Lead vocalist and guitarist Blake Schwarzenbach, bassist Chris Bauermeister, and drummer Adam Pfahler formed Jawbreaker while students at New York University, later relocating to Los Angeles where they released their debut album Unfun (1990) through independent record label Shredder Records. Relocating again to San Francisco the following year, they released 1992's Bivouac through the Tupelo Recording Company and The Communion Label. Jawbreaker toured with Nirvana in 1993 and released 24 Hour Revenge Therapy in 1994, attracting the attention of major labels. They signed with DGC Records and released 1995's Dear You, but its polished production and smooth vocals caused significant backlash from the band's core audience. Internal tensions led to Jawbreaker's dissolution in 1996.
Albums
Studio albums YearAlbum detailsSources1990Unfun Released: May 1990 Label: Shredder Records (SH-07) Formats: CD, cassette (CS), LP, digital download Reissued: March 30, 2010 as a CD/LP on Blackball Records (BB-007)1992Bivouac Released: December 1992 Labels: Communion Label (COMM 38), Tupelo Recording Company (TUP 38) Formats: CD, CS, LP, digital download199424 Hour Revenge Therapy Released: February 15, 1994 Labels: Tupelo Recording Company (TUP 49), Communion Label (COMM 49) Formats: CD, CS, LP, digital download1995Dear You Released: September 12, 1995 Label: DGC Records (DGC 24831) Formats: CD, CS, LP, digital download Reissued: March 2, 2004 as a CD/2xLP on Blackball Records (BB-004)
Live albums YearAlbum detailsCommentsSources1999Live 4/30/96 Released: November 2, 1999 Label: Blackball Records (BB-002) Formats: CD, LP, digital download Most tracks were recorded at the Warfield Theatre in San Francisco, California where the band appeared in support of Foo Fighters and Ween as part of a Rock for Choice benefit on April 30, 1996. The LP version was issued on Allied Recordings (NO. 100) and limited to 206 copies; however, some are defective.
Compilation albums YearAlbum detailsCommentsSources2002Etc. Released: July 23, 2002 Label: Blackball Records (BB-003) Formats: CD, 2xLP, digital download A collection of non-album tracks including compilation appearances, vinyl only material, b-sides and outtakes recorded between 1988 and 1995. Many of the releases on which these songs first appeared are now out of print. See also: List of compilation appearances
Extended plays YearEP detailsComments1989Whack & Blite Released: 1989 Label: Blackball Records (BB-001) Format: 7-inch All tracks from this EP appear on both CD versions of Unfun (SH-07CD, BB-007-CD) as bonus tracks. Between 1990 and 1992 the EP was repressed three additional times on Very Small Records (VSR 7).1992Chesterfield King Released: 1992 Labels: Communion Label, Tupelo Recording Company (35-1) Format: 12-inch All tracks from this EP appear on the CD version of Bivouac (COMM 38-2/TUP 38–2), absorbed into the album's track listing.
Singles
Retail singles YearSingleAlbum1989"Busy" (single mix)Non-album single1995"Fireman"Dear You IIncluded as a bonus track on the 2010 reissue of Unfun.
Promotional singles YearSingleAlbum1995"Lurker II: Dark Son of Night" / "Million"Dear You1996"Accident Prone"
Split singles YearSplit detailsTracks1991Jawbox / Jawbreaker Released: June 1991 Label: Selfless Records (SFLS03) Format: 7-inchSide A: Jawbox – "Air Waves Dreams" Side B: Jawbreaker – "With or Without U-2" 1992Steel Pole Bath Tub / Jawbreaker Released: June 22, 1992 Label: Staplegun Records (SG 001) Format: 7-inch (included with vinyl format of "Surprise your pig")Side A: Steel Pole Bath Tub – "We Walk" Side B: Jawbreaker – "Pretty Persuasion"Jawbreaker / Samiam Released: 1992 Label: No Idea Records (NIR008) Format: 7-inchSide A: Jawbreaker – "Split" Side B: Samiam – "Head Trap"1993Jawbreaker / Crimpshrine Released: 1993 Label: Skene! Records Format: 7-inchSide A: Jawbreaker – "Better Half" Side B: Crimpshrine – "Sanctuary" IA medley including portions of songs originally performed by U2, the Misfits and The Vapors. IIIncluded as a bonus with some copies of the Surprise Your Pig: A Tribute to R.E.M. LP. IIIIncluded as a bonus with No Idea Zine #10 and also as a standalone split.
Music videos Year Title Director 1995 "Fireman" Mark Kohr
Compilation appearances Non-album studio tracks released prior to the band's breakup would later appear on Etc. in 2002. Year Title Track Label 1989 The World's in Shreds Volume Two 7-inch "Shield Your Eyes" Shredder Records Make the Collector Nerd Sweat 10-inch "Gutless" Very Small Records 1990 Hardcore Breakout USA CD/CS/LP "Rich" New Red Archives 1991 Brouhaha 7-inch "Caroline" Piggly Wiggly Very Small World LP "Fantastic Planet" Very Small Records 1992 17 Reasons: The Mission District 3x7-inch box set "Kiss the Bottle" Mission Merchants Four Two Pudding CD "Fantastic Planet" Very Small Records 1993 Surprise Your Pig: A Tribute to R.E.M. CD/LP+7-inch "Pretty Persuasion" Staplegun Records Music for the Proletariat CD "Kiss the Bottle" Allied Recordings 1994Punk U.S.A. CD/CS/LP "Sea Foam Green" Lookout! Records The Smitten Love Song Comp. CD/LP "Housesitter" Karate Records 1995 The Sound Guy is Deaf and Drunk: 16 Bands Recorded Live at John Henry's CS "Bivouac" (live) Soda Girl Records 1996 Jabberjaw: Pure Sweet Hell CD/4x7-inch box set "Sister" Mammoth Records 2004 Rock Against Bush, Vol. 2 CD+DVD "Chesterfield King" (live) Fat Wreck Chords In Honor: A Compilation to Beat Cancer 2xCD "Kiss the Bottle" (live) Vagrant Records 2005 Protect: A Benefit for the National Association to Protect Children CD "Want" (live) Fat Wreck Chords 2007 For Callum 2xCD "I Love You So Much It's Killing Us Both" Catlick Records IRecorded at John Henry's Tavern in Eugene, Oregon on June 30, 1993. IIRecorded at CBGB in New York, New York on May 23, 1993. II|Recorded at 924 Gilman Street in Berkeley, California on July 3, 1993. IVMono 16-track demo version recorded July 1994.
References