Slapstick Family Tree

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Slapstick was a ska/punk band that was influential in the Elgin/Chicago punk scene during their time. Their legacy lives on with the various members parting ways to create new music in new bands. The bands have had a major impact on the Chicago music scene, and have gained popularity throughout their respective careers. The "family tree" extends to this day.

Contents

[edit] Origin (1993-1996)

Slapstick
Slapstick


Slapstick
Brendan Kelly Lead vocals
Dan Andriano Bass, Vocals
Peter Anna Trombone
Matt Stamps Guitar
Dan Hanaway Trumpet, Vocals
Rob Kellenberger Drums, Vocals

The first branch was the originator and included only the "mother band" Slapstick. Slapstick played aggressive and unique ska with gruff vocals that set them apart from other bands at the time. The band was active until 1996. They have 2 releases, "Lookit!" and "Slapstick", both on Asian Man Records. Although members in the future bands have come form other bands in the same time period, Slapstick is the primary band.

[edit] Branch one (1996-1998)

The band disbanded and created various other bands:

[edit] The Broadways

Brendan Kelly Lead vocals, Bass
Dan Hanaway Backup Vocals, Guitar
Chris McCaughan Backup Vocals, Guitar (Of the band Tricky Dick)
Rob DePaola Drums

The Broadways were a political punk-rock band on the independent label Asian Man Records. They were active from 1996 to 1998, and released their last CD in 2000. Their two full lengths albums were entitled "Broken Star" and "Broken Van". The band had a melodic vocal style, coupled with smooth guitars and harsh political lyrics.

[edit] Tuesday

Dan Andriano Lead vocals, Bass
Matt Stamps Guitar
Rob Kellenberger Drums, Vocals
Tyler Wiseman Guitar

Tuesday was a rock/emo band signed to Asian Man Records. The band had 2 releases, a full length entitle "Free Wheelin'" and an EP entitled "Early Summer". The band played a softer form of rock, and was active from 1996 to 1998.

Peter Anna Played with Less Than Jake for a year, and recorded "Borders and Boundaries" as the trombonist, he later quit the band and is now pursuing a career in firefighting.[1]

[edit] Branch two (1998-present)

In time, each of these bands split and formed various other bands, now distant but still related to Slapstick.

[edit] The Lawrence Arms

Brendan Kelly Lead vocals, Bass
Neil Hennessy Drums (of Baxter)
Chris McCaughan Vocals, Guitar

The Lawrence Arms are a band based in Chicago who have seen much success since the split of The Broadways. The name is based on an apartment building Kelly and McCaughan lived in, and they have many releases since their formation. They are currently signed to Fat Wreck Chords.

The Lawrence Arms
The Lawrence Arms

[edit] Alkaline Trio

Matt Skiba Vocals, Guitar
Dan Andriano Vocals, Bass
Derek Grant Drums

The Alkaline Trio has seen enormous success, more so than any other band in the family tree, and has released many CDs, originating on Asian Man Records. The band is still together, seeing growing popularity in the Screamo/Emo/Goth/Punk Crowd.

[edit] The Honor System

Dan Hanaway Lead vocals, Guitar
Rob DePaola Drums
Chris Carr Bass
Tyler Wiseman Guitar

The Honor System's original line-up featured Tim McIlrath of Rise Against on bass guitar, and Nolan McGuire, the touring guitarist/roadie for Alkaline Trio on guitar, with Rob DePaola and Dan Hanaway from The Broadways. Tim McIlrath then left The Honor System to form the Killing Tree, and shortly after that, Rise Against with ex-members of 88 Fingers Louie.

The Honor System were a band similar to The Broadways but with softer melodies, and less poitically charged lyrics. The band has two full lengths to date, "The Rise and Run" and "Single File". The band is currently on hiatus.

[edit] Duvall

Eli Careter Guitar, Bass, Backup Vocals (of Smoking Popes)
Josh Caterer Vocals, Guitar (of The Smoking Popes)
Rob Kellenberger Drums

Duvall is an emo/rock band with spiritual based lyrics and subject matter. they are currently together.

[edit] Branch three (supergroups, etc.)

The bands members branched off, even creating super groups of sorts.

[edit] Colossal

Eli Caterer Guitar
Pat Ford Guitar and Vocals
Neil Hennessy Drums
Rob Kellenberger Drums
Chris Perrin Bass
A supergroup of sorts, that involves members of Smoking Popes, The Lawrence Arms, and Duvall. The band plays a unique blend of indie rock and jazz and has an EP and a full length out entitled "Welcome the Problems". As of October, 2006 Eli Careter has left the band to make more time for his other projects.

Colossal
Colossal

[edit] The Falcon

Brendan Kelly Guitar, Vocals
Dan Andriano Bass, Vocals
Neil Hennessy Drums, Guitar, Vocals
Todd Mohney Guitar

Another highly anticipated 'supergroup' that has members of The Lawrence Arms and Alkaline Trio. The band has released an EP Entitled "God Don't Make No Trash or Up Your Ass With Broken Glass" and a full length entitled "Unicornography". The band plays a different and more free form of punk than either of the two bands they came from. Rise Against ex-member Todd Mohney, although conspicuously absent from the recording of "Unicornography", is still a member of the band.[2]

[edit] Whale|Horse

Tyler Wiseman Guitar
Dan Hanaway Vocals, Guitar
Chris Carr Bass
Scott Anna Drums

Formerly featuring members of The Ghost[3]. The band plays a darker style of indie/punk, creating moody and pensive songs. Whale|Horse has one EP entitled "Count the Electric Sheep".

[edit] Sundowner

Chris McCaughan Acoustic guitar, Vocals
Jenny Choi Cello, Piano, Vocals
Chris McCaughan has begun a solo career under the name Sundowner, releasing the album Four One Five Two on Red Scare Records.

[edit] See also

[edit] External links

[edit] References

  1. Answers.com's "Article on Less Than Jake" "Less Than Jake" , retrieved October 3, 2006
  2. An article about the band via Interpunk.com "The Falcon", retrieved October 11, 2006
  3. Update on The Honor System's website, "update", July 19, 2005
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