chief brody's photostream

In the early days of the 5, they came up with the idea of everyone having a membership card (which was quickly abandoned). Still, they looked pretty cool. Designed by Yannick from Union of Uranus. I got this at the first 5 show which was an afternoon set with Mob Action from Chicago and Uranus opening up. I believe this was Uranus' second show ever after their first one in Vanier. 5 Arlington also had a "stage" at this point, set up at the back doors. Like the membership cards, this was also quickly abandoned.

(Photographer Unknown) I've had this print since the mid-90's and have no idea who took it, though it could be a Shawn Scallen (scallen.com). I'm not sure which year this is from but it is before Dear You for sure which would place this somewhere around the 24 Hour Revenge Therapy era most likely (93-94).

I did see Jawbreaker in Ottawa on the Dear You tour (with Jawbox opening) at Barrymores on Bank Street. What can I say? They were my favourite band in the world at the time (until I discovered The Replacements) and the show was very memorable, tho it did seem like the band was unhappy at the time, a truth that was borne out after their breakup just months later.

Even though I was a huge Jawbreaker fan, I actually saw Jets To Brazil more and I thought they were a great band as well. Their last record is a bit of a misunderstood classic and Blake was also in a band called Thorns Of Life (which included Aaron Cometbus - who has now quit apparently - thus killing the band). There is some talk of a project called "forgetters" tho I know nothing about it right now. I'm sure we'll hear about it soon enough.

It's weird. I remember getting the pre-release copy of Dear You and just going crazy over it and figured everyone else would as soon as it hit the shelves. To me, it was just a natural step from 24 Hour but a lot of punks at the time were pissed that they signed to Geffen and didn't like the polished sound (and Blake's polished voice). But it sounded like great Jawbreaker to me. People now love Dear You but at the time, it was heavily criticized for stupid reasons.

It's not as good as 24 Hour for me, but it's close.

Found this ticket in perfect condition in a box recently. A great show at a once great Ottawa venue. I've seen Fugazi 3 or 4 times and they never failed to blow my mind. This was the second time I saw them, the first being a previous show in Ottawa with Malhavoc opening.

Lockjaw was definitely an acquired taste, especially in their earlier years. Nobody could clear out a hall like Lockjaw when they played their ultra-strange post-punk jams. Later on they became a little less experimental and released a great demo tape in the 5 Arlington days. Their first 7 inch is enthralling but almost unlistenable.

I specifically remember Shudder To Think being really good this night.

It was either this show or the one a few years later when Ian Mackaye stopped a song midway and berated some mohawk drunk punk dude for slamming. The guy took off but came back with a handwritten note that he gave to Ian during their set. Ian read the comically stupid letter out loud to everyone and it was one of the funniest moments I can remember at a show. From what I remember, Ian really pronounced all the spelling and grammatical mistakes in a note that accused him of being a PC asshole etc. Great stuff.

A few years later Fugazi would play the same venue with Shotmaker and Okara opening during the Red Medicine tour.

Handbill/Invitation for the first show by the Deadly Snakes back in the summer of 96 at the Laundry Mat in Kensington Market, Toronto.

Don't remember much except that everyone got wildly drunk and that Max was just a kid back then. I think this was Max's birthday party but it could have been another guy in the band.

Rarely seen but ultra rad Uranus/G.A.S.R. ad that ran in an early issue of Heartattack zine in 96. Besides the intensely crushing music, Union of Uranus (and by extension, Yannick's label) really stuck out by using great design and strong visuals. That may be one of the best hardcore band logos ever.