Jawbreaker documentary taking shape

Contributed by an Anonymous Source. Posted by aubin on Wednesday, October 26, 2005 at 1:20 PM (EDT)

Adam Pfahler of Blackball Records and Jawbreaker has announced plans to produce a documentary on the influential and beloved band. Pfahler is in talks with Keith Schieron, director of We Jam Econo: The Minutemen Documentary to produce the film. According to Adam, he has been organizing footage and plans to vet the material through vocalist Blake Schwarzenbach as well.

Though the final angle of the film has not been decided, he is decidedly against the idea of something " self congratulatory or [a] cautionary tale on the pitfalls of the music industry, " Pfahler is currently soliciting any footage for the project and can be contacted via Blackball.

The label has previously released two albums from the band, 2002's Etc. and 2004's reissue of the band's sole major label release, Dear You.

Vocalist Blake Schwarzenbach has kept a low profile since the split of Jets To Brazil soon after their 2002 release, Perfecting Loneliness. He has since been seen teaching undergraduate English at Hunter College in New York City. He also contributed a piece to the punkvoter project.

Blackball Records (143 comments)

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Fine Print: The following comments are owned by whoever posted them. We are not respon sible for them in any way. Seriously.

sickboi (chris) (October 26, 2005)

Mitch Clem just filled the cup.

Archangel (October 26, 2005)

Ha ha ha.

Someone (October 26, 2005)

i dont get this filled the cup comment ...you used it before right? what info would make me get it please?

the_other_scott (October 26, 2005)

you're not punk, and i'm telling everyone

Godfather (October 26, 2005)

save your breath, i never was one

Someone (October 26, 2005)

so is anyone going to explain what it means?

Someone (October 26, 2005)

It sounds like it's from Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back. "Filling the cup" means you just came out of excitement.

the_wang (October 27, 2005)

you don't know whay i'm all about

Archangel (October 27, 2005)

Like killing cops, and reading Kerouac.

Someone (October 27, 2005)

i thought the same thing.

Someone (October 26, 2005)

I wish I went to Hunter College.

Someone (October 26, 2005)

Brucial.

Someone (October 26, 2005)

This guy just filled the cup

Someone (October 26, 2005)

Dear You is one of my favourite albums ever,Sluttering being my favourite Jawbreaker song. this is GREAT news.

Someone (October 26, 2005)

A friend of mine recently gave me a CD with a concert from '93 recorded on it and it's even better than their official live release (also on Blackball). It got me wondering if there's any chance of another live album being put together.

skaboom (October 26, 2005)

Theres a bunch of bootlegs in circulation. This one is probably my favorite: http://www.liepaper.com/jblive.htm Not as high quality as the official live album, but a better setlist, as well as the song "Elephant" which was never recorded in the studio.

Someone (October 26, 2005)

Thanks for the link!

Someone (October 27, 2005)

http://www.fifteenpaintcans.org/jawbreaker/

Someone (October 26, 2005)

yay

JohnnyDanger (October 26, 2005)

i'd be interested in seeing this

RightCliqificus (October 26, 2005)

um... every band is influential and beloved by somebody....

sickboi (chris) (October 26, 2005)

Oh shut the fuck up. Everytime I see your name I know its going to be followed by some lame attempt to be a smartass.

ElVaquero (October 26, 2005)

Yep

RightCliqificus (October 26, 2005)

it was no attempt to be a smartass. it was a serious response. its not like this band is hugely influential. you could pick any band more than 5 years old and they've sure influenced at least 10 bands. it was a point about how people through words like 'influential" out randomly. it has nothing to do with whether or not this band is any good, which is purely subjective.

sickboi (chris) (October 26, 2005)

Nice response, thank you.

Kenjamin (October 26, 2005)

why don't you browse the rest of the comments under this thread. This band meant a great deal to alot of people and they were largely influential in terms of the chicago sound ie, Alk3 and Lawrence arms as well as a ton of bad mall emo bands.

Someone (October 26, 2005)

If you can't see how infulential fucking jawbreaker is, your not paying attention or a complete moron. One of the two.

Archangel (October 26, 2005)

Wow, what an idiotic response.

housewrecker (October 26, 2005)

Dude in the early 90s these guys were like one of THE biggest active "punk" bands. They've influenced a fuckload and a half of people

Gowb (October 27, 2005)

All of you are jackasses. Excepting sickboi. Well, he is, but not because of this.

Someone (October 28, 2005)

I don't know, based on the amount of Jawbreaker tattoos there are out there I do think they are hugely influential.

Someone (October 26, 2005)

everytime we see YOUR name, its just you trying to force your opions down other peoples throats like some kind of god damn republican. why can't other people be allowed to have thoughs sickboi? what a fucking douchebag.

sickboi (chris) (October 26, 2005)

Because I said "no".

Someone (October 26, 2005)

Blake's myspace page is http://www.myspace.com/distantwizard

BTown (October 26, 2005)

If I was him, that would piss me off. But then again, he has his own MySpace?

David_Arquette (October 26, 2005)

I think this is the best news I've ever seen on this site.

Godfather (October 26, 2005)

amen

Someone (October 26, 2005)

I'll admit, I jumped from my chair a little bit when I read the headline. I'm sure I look like an asshole to the 10 other people in this lobby. Although the guy across from me was just making love to a Poptart - Kirby

sickboi (chris) (October 26, 2005)

I don't even want to know...

allison_le_gnome (October 26, 2005)

Better than the kid in my school library reading X-rated Pokemon fanfiction. I kicked him off the computer, though.

branden (October 26, 2005)

stoked

Someone (October 26, 2005)

OH MAN -- Maybe they could reunite for a few shows in support of this release !!!!

Someone (October 26, 2005)

Good lord, let's hope not. That corpse needs to stay dead and buried. If you missed them the first time around, tough shit.

Someone (October 26, 2005)

These guys were selling out before Rancid made it cool.

housewrecker (October 26, 2005)

Hahaha. Brilliant!

Someone (October 26, 2005)

Best post ever.

Someone (October 26, 2005)

What makes jawbreaker better is they always put out good music, while not selling out and then while selling out ....i think rancid always just spews constant shit from their insturments

Someone (October 27, 2005)

it's not selling out if you put out good music, in my opinion anyway.

Sirens (October 26, 2005)

Cool, I just hope it doesnt take too long

Someone (October 26, 2005)

True. How long did it take the MC5 film to come out? And I still haven't seen it!

sickboi (chris) (October 26, 2005)

See also: Refused

Someone (October 27, 2005)

nice

Godfather (October 26, 2005)

this news just made my year

Toby_at_Fat (October 26, 2005)

Blake AND Madonna teach at this place. I certainly went to the wrong school.

sickboi (chris) (October 26, 2005)

Toby, I don't think Hunter College can give you the same "sandwich artist" degree you earned from Subway... I kid, because I love.

Toby_at_Fat (October 26, 2005)

Hey-o! Well, if I had the skills to make sandwhiches I could at least get out of my current dead-end job. So what, you went to VMI?

sickboi (chris) (October 26, 2005)

Hardly. Try VCU. Thats right, in the heart of Richmond's ghetto. A university with tuition cheaper than community collge, can't be beat!

David_Arquette (October 26, 2005)

I'll probably apply there next year just for the hell of it. I'm sure Blake hates having fans as students.

Someone (October 26, 2005)

did someone say jawbreaker? okay. take my money. -phdecontrol

Godfather (October 26, 2005)

remember christmas when you were a little kid....thats pretty much how i'll be feeling for the next 3 years (or at least until this gets released)

Godfather (October 26, 2005)

so yeah, if you dont like me or my posts, then you might want to stay out of this thread because i will be in here giving jawbreaker e-head for the next day or so 1. 24 hour revenge therapy 2. unfun 3. bivouac 4. dear you 5. etc. unfun and bivouac could be switched depending on my mood

Cos (October 26, 2005)

I'm a new-school JB fan (discovered post-break-up, pre-Jets) and have to give Dear You top honors. 24 Hour is close but not as good musically, I feel. Two more bits: No one like Unfun as much as you, and I yi-yi, I yi-yi- think that Etc. shouldn't count. --Cos

Hubitcherkokov (October 26, 2005)

Unfun is my favorite record. "Want" and "Imaginary War," as well as about 10 other classics.

Someone (October 26, 2005)

1. 24 hour revenge therapy 2. dear you 3. unfun 4. bivouac i don't count etc. it's too all over the place for me to really be able to rank it.

Someone (October 26, 2005)

1. Bivouac 2. Dear You 3. 24-Hour Revenge Therapy 4. Unfun 5. Etc. 6. Live

kingofpain (October 26, 2005)

1.Dear You 2.24 Hour Revenge Therapy 3.Biouvac 4.Unfun

Someone (October 26, 2005)

Meh, they were all right.

FuckYouOiOiOi (October 26, 2005)

What the FUCK are you people so excited for?!? It's a fucking documentary, it's not like they're reuniting and playing shows. This really isn't very exciting news.

Kenjamin (October 26, 2005)

Agreed, as much as I want to see this, I know that Blackball will take forever to release this. By then I'll be in my late 30s and so jaded that I'll just listen to old jazz and blues records.

Someone (October 26, 2005)

this is old fucking news. sorry, but its been mentioned many times on the black ball website, fan forums and even interviews. and black ball has helped with 3, count them 3 jawbreaker albums. not 2. fuck!

Godfather (October 26, 2005)

if i've never heard about it, then it's news to me

sickboi (chris) (October 26, 2005)

Damn, I'm shocked you managed to find time to type that little rant in between all the Jawbreaker dicksucking you've apparently been up to. Congrats!

superdude (October 26, 2005)

This news is pretty good, but here's how I would make it better: 1. Jawbreaker is such a rip off of Blink. 2. Teaching english? SELLOUT! 3. Why do they teach english at hunting school?

Someone (October 26, 2005)

That'd better be a fucking joke.

housewrecker (October 26, 2005)

Welcome to punknew.org You'll receive a package in the mail with some information about why you should hate jason tate, why it's fun to diss wussemorock, and why being doubly sarcastic is the same as being serious.

Someone (October 26, 2005)

that's one of the best comments I've ever seen on this site... hilarious

Someone (October 26, 2005)

I just filled my pants with man juice.

Someone (October 26, 2005)

you know, all i'm really wondering about right now is WHERE THE FUCK IS THAT KID DYNAMITE DVD? that was supposed to be released like...fucking 2 years ago. -phdecontrol

jamespastepunk (October 26, 2005)

Amen, but also what about the Refused DVD?

Kenjamin (October 26, 2005)

My freshmen year English teacher was a fairly young grad student and she asked the class if anyone liked the Smiths. I have a few of their cds but I mostly lied and told her that the Smiths meant alot to me both lyrically and musically. And I ended up getting good grades in that class.

sickboi (chris) (October 26, 2005)

You totally could have scored, the Smiths are total boning music.

Someone (October 26, 2005)

One of my professors forced us to listen to his favorite Bruce Springsteen songs in class (he somehow tied in their lyrical content with "The Grapes of Wrath". -Chinatown

Kenjamin (October 26, 2005)

I don't see how this has anything to do with me but I'm sorry regardless. Although some of Springsteen's stuff is prett great. Oh and Sickboi, I was a dorky freshmen, way too overwhelmed to even think of the right moves to bone my professor.

Someone (October 26, 2005)

Ghost of Tom Joad = inspired by Grapes of Wrath

Someone (October 26, 2005)

maybe if they actually read the book like they were supposed to they would have known that too. I think every high school english class that reads the grapes of wrath is told about that song.

Someone (October 26, 2005)

my 10th grade professor gave me extra credit because i could name all four original members of the Clash!

allison_le_gnome (October 26, 2005)

One of the English teachers in my school borrowed my Soviettes CD after I played Blue Stars.

jamespastepunk (October 26, 2005)

Hmmm...apparently Blake is listed as an adjunct lecturer.

Someone (October 26, 2005)

i wonder how many people take blake's class solely because he's teaching it. god that must make him feel awkward, as if he weren't one of the most awkward men in history already.

Someone (December 8, 2005)

HEy. Blake is eng professor now and I just found out he was in this band and I feel pretty weird. no wonder he had all those tatoos.

Someone (October 26, 2005)

How can a music documentary not be either self-congratulatory or a cautionary tale on the pitfalls of the music industry? As far as I've read, life on the road with Jawbreaker hasn't been that much fun--what with tensions between Chris and everyone else; and everyone being sick of each other after 24 hour revenge therapy There's just no way they can deviate from the above named templates. Cruz Bustamante Lieutenant Governor State of California

Someone (October 26, 2005)

Damn, could Blake sound any more pretentious? http://www.myspace.com/distantwizard "With the advent of the box set (affording more lattitude in the way of adult content) it seems like recent programming can aspire to cinematic depth. There's nothing sadder and more satisfying than immersing oneself in an entire season of a program within a few days. Like most good drama (and rock) it accelerates, so you find story and even voyeuristic patterns growing more rapacious until there's none left. Supersized, I'd say, and you'd better have a hell of a lot of cookies and beer if you want to run the gauntlet. It's scary in the sense of "take home kits", the whole desert island mentality of the consumerism. After all, what are you running from (especially given the profound misery most of these series hand out)? I'm sure

show rest of commentDamn, could Blake sound any more pretentious? http://www.myspace.com/distantwizard "With the advent of the box set (affording more lattitude in the way of adult content) it seems like recent programming can aspire to cinematic depth. There's nothing sadder and more satisfying than immersing oneself in an entire season of a program within a few days. Like most good drama (and rock) it accelerates, so you find story and even voyeuristic patterns growing more rapacious until there's none left. Supersized, I'd say, and you'd better have a hell of a lot of cookies and beer if you want to run the gauntlet. It's scary in the sense of "take home kits", the whole desert island mentality of the consumerism. After all, what are you running from (especially given the profound misery most of these series hand out)? I'm sure anyone immersed in a series knows the strange placation that comes from fingering an upcoming disc even as the present one is playing itself out. Given that this is totally fucked up, chemical, and exceeds broadcast-level escapism (there aren't even ads to anger you and drive you out of the house) I'll say this: Freaks &; Geeks and Sports Night will reward you in group viewings and repeated watching. They also drive home a beautiful and tragic point: "development" is a thing of the past. These shows, which even the most limited rube could see were exceptional, were cut after a season or two (most probably to free up space for so-called reality programming). In the worst way, the successful series reflect that impulse (Sopranos and Six Feet Under), even though they still beat it every time. I guess what gives me pause is that it seems we are willing to forego inventive storytelling for "expertise" (but on whose authority?) It seems at least historically true that "the writer" is the first casualty of any meeting about marketplace (followed summarily by production, direction, cast). It's a domino theory both the aforementioned series address in their eleventh hours."

Kenjamin (October 26, 2005)

I think this is to prevent fanboys from friending him with messages like, "OMG Blake! Jawbreaker roooooools!!" I also think it means that he digs watching Freaks & Geeks with his pals but evil tv execs took it away. Or perhaps this is his thesis as to why the middle east is so fucked. I couldn't really tell.

allison_le_gnome (October 26, 2005)

That's the way I think to myself, even if I'm too lazy to write it down.

Kenjamin (October 26, 2005)

If Blake was my professor, I don't know if I would be the best possible student, being 150% prepared for class, or scared shitless to talk knowing that one of my favorite lyricists of all-time might mistake me as an idiot.

Godfather (October 26, 2005)

i've heard that he has become a pompous ass since his jets to brazil success along with the delayed successes of jawbreaker....however, i would still be the biggest brown-noser ever...i'd be that douche that sits in class and nods in agreement at everything blake said....the whole class would hate me

jamespastepunk (October 26, 2005)

Haha....I don't know about 150% prepared, but I'd say at least 101%, and at most 110% for me. I'd also be pissing my pants every day before class.

Kenjamin (October 26, 2005)

pissing your pants how, in joy?

jamespastepunk (October 26, 2005)

joy and fear. But mostly fear.

CrookedSuperhero (October 26, 2005)

How's that Minutemen documetary? Now there's a band.

housewrecker (October 26, 2005)

Amen brother.

Someone (October 26, 2005)

i'd really love to know too, since they played it at an art theater near me last saturday and i fuckin missed it.

Someone (October 27, 2005)

It was really good. I saw it back in February at the San Pedro premiere. Traced the band's beginning from Watt & D. Boon meeting one day when they were both playing at the park as kids, and teally delved into the sense of loss once he died. I hope you guys get the chance to see it.

housewrecker (October 27, 2005)

I got to see the Minutemen's old tour van parked in Bill Stevenson's yard. How's that for scene points???

Someone (October 26, 2005)

Yessssssssssssssssssssssss! hell yes!

Someone (October 26, 2005)

fuck your new school emo these guys were making emotive music that actually meant something.

Someone (October 26, 2005)

I honestly didn't know jets to brazil split! so is Chris Bauermeister still in Horace Pinker, i'm outta the loop.

CrookedSuperhero (October 26, 2005)

He left long ago.

Someone (October 26, 2005)

Ah thanks.

BTown (October 26, 2005)

He has since been seen teaching undergraduate English at Hunter College in New York City. That's sweet. My high school english teacher actually made us listen to Jawbreaker and read the lyrics and try to analyze it. He was awesome(and introduced the band to me).

Kenjamin (October 26, 2005)

what songs? More punks should become teachers.

BTown (October 27, 2005)

Boat Dreams from the Hill and Save your Generation. I plan on teaching. Somebody's gotta tell the kids that the Indians we're the bad guys!

Godfather (October 26, 2005)

"Cigarettes they fill the gaps. In our empty days. In our broken teeth. We're jonesing. Say mister, can you spare a dime? Some change could make a change. Could buy some time. Some freedom. Or an ear to hear my story. It's all I've got. My fiction beats the hell out of my truth. A palm upturned burnt blue. Don't call it sunburn."

Godfather (October 26, 2005)

Seven hundred miles to play to fifteen angry men. I need some sleep. They hate the songs. We hate them too. This show is free. Twenty minutes in broke another fucking string. Just call it luck. They start to leave. I start to plead. Someone yells you suck. Suddenly that joe kicks hard in my veins. I cool down. Things sound good right now. Suddenly fists turn into brave ears, move as one. Funny how no one knows we came. They wouldn't come anyway. Should I feel grateful to play. I'm living life my way. I fell in love with my enemy. I let go of everything I had left at home. Two cool people came. They're hiding by the door. Eyes wide with fright. A guy, a girl, in love with the whole world. It almost makes it right. Every little thing must go wrong.

Godfather (October 26, 2005)

We're getting older. But we're acting younger. We should be smarter. It seems we're getting dumber.

Godfather (October 26, 2005)

I have a present: it is the present. You have to learn to find it within you. If you can learn to love it, You just might like it. You can't live without it. There's a million open windows. I'm passing these open windows. There is plenty to criticize. It gets so easy to narrow these eyes. But these eyes will stay wide. I will stay young. Young and dumb inside. I have just begun to forget my lines. If you could save yourself, you could save us all. Go on living, prove us wrong. Your leap of faith could be a well-timed smile. Survival never goes out of style. I have a message: save your generation. We're killing each other by sleeping in. Finnegan, begin again. This one can be won. One can become two. Two can pick and choose. You could be the first. You have to learn to learn from your mistakes. You can afford to lose a little face. The things you break, Some can't be

show rest of comment

allison_le_gnome (October 26, 2005)

Stop fucking posting lyrics. It's stupid. And annoying. And gets the songs stuck in my head.

Someone (October 26, 2005)

Husker Du, Leatherface, Jawbreaker best lyrics around anyone?

Someone (October 26, 2005)

meatloaf

sallyjesse (October 26, 2005)

andrew w.k.

Gowb (October 27, 2005)

Colin Meloy.

fritobandito (October 27, 2005)

I Hate Myself.

Archangel (October 27, 2005)

Ha ha, I love IHM.

Someone (October 29, 2005)

I agree with that.

Someone (October 26, 2005)

my space is lame. jawbreaker is good. i have lost every one of their albums except Bivouac, but them, lifetime, and Screeching Weasel will last forever in my heart. ugh, that sounded like post-Jawbreake emo.r

Someone (October 26, 2005)

All the best bands have broken up.

FuckYouOiOiOi (October 26, 2005)

NOFX? Green Day? Adicts? Against Me!? Propagandhi? GBH?

Archangel (October 27, 2005)

Ha ha ha ha.

FuckYouOiOiOi (October 27, 2005)

I know, I totally owned him.

Someone (October 29, 2005)

how exactly?..... lay off the drugs.

Billy_Brewski (October 26, 2005)

Is the college prof thing really legit? http://www.hunter.cuny.edu/~english/faculty/Adjunct/Adj unct-SchwartzenbachA.shtml Alexander Schwartzenbach? Is blake not his 'legal' name? Thats entirely possible. He's adjunct too, so thats further evidence to suggest its legit i guess...

David_Arquette (October 26, 2005)

Probably his middle name or something. I highly doubt there are two Schwarzenbachs teaching at that school.

Someone (October 26, 2005)

Alex is his first name. Look it up on the wiki.

skaboom (October 26, 2005)

Leave this man alone. He clearly dropped out of the "scene" for a reason. He never made some official announcement that he was going to go teach English because he wants to live a semi-normal life. If he wants to record new music, that'd be absolutely awesome. But he's a lot older than most of us, he probably is trying to move on with his life. To dig up and post personal information on a website that thousands of people read is very disrespectful to him, especially from people who claim to be his fans.

David_Arquette (October 26, 2005)

That's posted on his Myspace (one of the Internet's most highly-trafficked websites these days), where he adds everyone who asks to be his friend (hundreds), posts bulletins, and allows people to comment openly on his profile. Relax, man.

Aubin (October 26, 2005)

The source for the information was the Wikipedia which has more traffic than us. The intent wasn't disrespect, just because people are always asking where he is, and that's what he's communicated, nothing less and nothing more.

allison_le_gnome (October 26, 2005)

Holy shit, I can't believe how much I fucking love this band. One of the first "punk" bands I got into.

Someone (October 26, 2005)

Did he put an end to Jets To Brazil? Where is your link to the news story Punknews.org???

skaboom (October 26, 2005)

There was never an official announcement.

skaboom (October 26, 2005)

I'm an idiot, I should preview these things first. Yes, JTB is dead, they disbanded in 2003 I believe. There wasn't a story about it because there was never an official announcement. But it is definately over, Blake has said so in interviews since then.

Someone (October 27, 2005)

I talked to Jeremy Chatelain about it last December when Cub Country came through town. He pretty much said the band had just dissolved, no definite ending or announcement that it was over.