The Jabbers
Encyclopedia
The Jabbers are an American punk rock
band. Once fronted by a young GG Allin
at the beginning of his career in the late-'70s to mid-'80s, many of his most well known songs were recorded with this band, such as "Assface", "Don't Talk to Me" and "Bored to Death".
Most notable, Allin's singing voice had not yet deteriorated. The music is of much higher quality in terms of both sound recording and playing than Allin's later output. The heavily New York Dolls and Stooges-influenced music itself is a catchy mix of power pop
and hardcore punk
, like most of Allin's early material up until the mid 1980s. The group disintegrated in 1984, around the time when the depravity of Allin's increased heroin addiction had grown and he was regularly in and out of prison.
Allin's early theatrics, subject matter and lyrical content was tame compared to his future output and antics, but was not without snotty humour. One review of the only Jabbers album with Allin, Always Was, Is And Always Shall Be
, states: "Amazingly enough, the violent hatred, sexual and psychological degradation, and staggering stupidity only hint at the heights (or depths) Allin would reach later."
Embryonic versions of the band appeared as early as 1977, focused around Allin (singing and occasionally playing drums), his brother Merle Allin
on bass, and various local guitarists. By 1979, the live group featured bassist Alan Chapple and guitarist Rob Basso; guitarist Chris Lamy joined in 1980, and Michael O'Donnell became the group's drummer in 1983. The group disbanded in May 1984, and Allin next led The Scumfucs. Their complete recordings with Allin are on the Banned in Boston
compilation.
In 2003, Chapple, Lamy, and O'Donnell reformed the band with new singer Wimpy Rutherford and lead guitarist Harlan Miller (both ex-members of the pop punk
group The Queers
). They released an album entitled American Standard in 2005 on Steel Cage Records.
Punk rock
Punk rock is a rock music genre that developed between 1974 and 1976 in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia. Rooted in garage rock and other forms of what is now known as protopunk music, punk rock bands eschewed perceived excesses of mainstream 1970s rock...
band. Once fronted by a young GG Allin
GG Allin
Kevin Michael "GG" Allin was an American punk rock singer-songwriter, who performed and recorded with many groups during his career. GG Allin is perhaps best remembered for his notorious live performances, which often featured transgressive acts, including coprophagia, self-mutilation, and...
at the beginning of his career in the late-'70s to mid-'80s, many of his most well known songs were recorded with this band, such as "Assface", "Don't Talk to Me" and "Bored to Death".
Most notable, Allin's singing voice had not yet deteriorated. The music is of much higher quality in terms of both sound recording and playing than Allin's later output. The heavily New York Dolls and Stooges-influenced music itself is a catchy mix of power pop
Power pop
Power pop is a popular musical genre that draws its inspiration from 1960s British and American pop and rock music. It typically incorporates a combination of musical devices such as strong melodies, crisp vocal harmonies, economical arrangements, and prominent guitar riffs. Instrumental solos are...
and hardcore punk
Hardcore punk
Hardcore punk is an underground music genre that originated in the late 1970s, following the mainstream success of punk rock. Hardcore is generally faster, thicker, and heavier than earlier punk rock. The origin of the term "hardcore punk" is uncertain. The Vancouver-based band D.O.A...
, like most of Allin's early material up until the mid 1980s. The group disintegrated in 1984, around the time when the depravity of Allin's increased heroin addiction had grown and he was regularly in and out of prison.
Allin's early theatrics, subject matter and lyrical content was tame compared to his future output and antics, but was not without snotty humour. One review of the only Jabbers album with Allin, Always Was, Is And Always Shall Be
Always Was, Is and Always Shall Be
Always Was, Is And Always Shall Be is the debut studio album by American punk rock musician GG Allin, released in 1980 on Orange Records. Some of its songs were recorded over a period of several years in the late 1970s, from 1978 to 1980, when Allin was with the band The Jabbers...
, states: "Amazingly enough, the violent hatred, sexual and psychological degradation, and staggering stupidity only hint at the heights (or depths) Allin would reach later."
Embryonic versions of the band appeared as early as 1977, focused around Allin (singing and occasionally playing drums), his brother Merle Allin
Merle Allin
Merle Colby Allin, Jr. is an American electric bass player and the older brother of the late punk rock singer/songwriter/performance artist GG Allin....
on bass, and various local guitarists. By 1979, the live group featured bassist Alan Chapple and guitarist Rob Basso; guitarist Chris Lamy joined in 1980, and Michael O'Donnell became the group's drummer in 1983. The group disbanded in May 1984, and Allin next led The Scumfucs. Their complete recordings with Allin are on the Banned in Boston
Banned in Boston (jabbers album)
Banned In Boston is an album by The Jabbers this album collects all of their songs with frontman GG Allin which were recorded from 1978-1984.- Track listing:#You Hate Me and I Hate You#Fuckup#No Rules#Bored To Death#Beat Beat Beat#One Man Army...
compilation.
In 2003, Chapple, Lamy, and O'Donnell reformed the band with new singer Wimpy Rutherford and lead guitarist Harlan Miller (both ex-members of the pop punk
Pop punk
Pop punk is a fusion music genre that combines elements of punk rock with pop music, to varying degrees. Allmusic describes the genre as a strand of alternative rock, which typically merges pop melodies with speedy punk tempos, chord changes and loud guitars...
group The Queers
The Queers
The Queers are a punk band formed in 1981 by Portsmouth, New Hampshire native Joe King . The band originally broke up in 1984, but reformed with Joe Queer and a new line-up in 1986. In 1990, the band signed with Shakin' Street Records and released their first album Grow Up...
). They released an album entitled American Standard in 2005 on Steel Cage Records.
Discography
- GG Allin & The Jabbers - "Bored To Death" "Beat, Beat, Beat" b/w "One Man Army" Orange Records 7" 1979
- GG Allin & The Jabbers - "1980's Rock 'N' Roll" b/w "Cheri Love Affair" Destiny Records 7" 1979
- Always Was, Is And Always Shall BeAlways Was, Is and Always Shall BeAlways Was, Is And Always Shall Be is the debut studio album by American punk rock musician GG Allin, released in 1980 on Orange Records. Some of its songs were recorded over a period of several years in the late 1970s, from 1978 to 1980, when Allin was with the band The Jabbers...
(Uncredited) Orange Records LP 1980 - GG Allin & The Jabbers - "Gimme Some Head" b/w "Dead Or Alive" Orange Records 7" 1981
- GG Allin & The Jabbers - "You Hate Me & I Hate You" (Public Animal No. 1) Orange Record 7" 1982 (first 100 stickered with "The Jabbers" in red on white background)
- GG Allin & The Jabbers - "You Hate Me & I Hate You" Catch 22 Records (England) 7"
- GG Allin & The Jabbers - "No Rules" "A Fuck Up" b/w "Up Against The Wall" "NYC Tonight"
- Banned in BostonBanned in Boston (album)Banned In Boston is a compilation CD from punk rock singer/songwriter GG Allin, released in 1989...
(Uncredited on 1989 version; main credit on 1990 version) (1989/1990) - Banned in BostonBanned in Boston (jabbers album)Banned In Boston is an album by The Jabbers this album collects all of their songs with frontman GG Allin which were recorded from 1978-1984.- Track listing:#You Hate Me and I Hate You#Fuckup#No Rules#Bored To Death#Beat Beat Beat#One Man Army...
(1990) - GG Allin - Insult & Injury Volume 3 - 5-26-82 Providence, RI And More Black & Blue Records CD 1997
- GG Allin - Insult & Injury Volume 1 - 1977-1982 Banned In Boston Black & Blue Records CD 1993
- GG Allin - Banned In Boston Part 1 Black & Blue Records CD 1998
- GG Allin - Banned In Boston Part 2 Black & Blue Records CD 1998
- GG Allin & The Jabbers - For Those Who Can Take It Raw no label listed 7" 2000
- GG Allin & The Jabbers - Occupation Blood 2000 Records 7"
- The Jabbers "American Standard (2005)