So, back in January, in Chicago, prolific out-rock act Joan of Arc had a big anniversary show featuring everyone who'd ever been in the band, and they capped the night off with a little semi-impromptu Cap'n'Jazz reunion (hat tip to Tiny Lucky Genius).

Cap'n'Jazz, if you're unaware (and if so, fix that) was the band that all these guys were in pre-Joan of Arc, pre-Promise Ring, back when they were all like too young to legally drive a car. They were not only precocious for their young age, they were profoundly fucking talented full stop, the single best act of what became the second wave of emo-core in the mid-'90s, a band whose lasting influence totally outstripped their brief life-span and relatively obscure impact at the time. In short, just fucking awesome. Tim Kinsella's voice was a rough, adolescently broken hot mess; his rambling free-associative lyrics were at an emotionally-charged peak that they've recaptured only rarely since; and the band's hormonal, rough-housing tumults of guitar and rhythm belied a skill that suggests they may have been not-so-secret jazz dorks (it says "jazz" right there in the name).

Well, now the reunion's official. It's on for July 17th at the Bottle Lounge in Chicago, and you can get tickets here. Tour dates to follow, and maybe if we all email Jade Tree hard enough, they'll even come to Seattle.

Here's the press release:

Jade Tree is thrilled to announce that one of its most influential and popular titles, Cap'n Jazz's seminal discography Analphabetapolothology, will be released on vinyl for the very first time on June 15th. A little over ten years have passed since the original CD release and we are proud to give the record the proper proper full featured vinyl issue that it deserves. As Cap'n Jazz has grown in popularity, so has the demand for the anthology on vinyl and we are more than happy to combine our efforts to put together a package well worth the wait.

The Analphabetapolothology double LP will be packaged in a deluxe gatefold album jacket with plenty of bonus material not included with the original CD release, including never before seen photos, show fliers, and new liner notes by Tim Kinsella. Further details and pre-order info for the release are to be announced.

There is more. As you may have heard, Cap'n Jazz played a short surprise set in January. Well, the show went so well that the band has decided to reunite again, starting at the Bottom Lounge in Chicago on July 17th with select dates soon to follow. This summer will be your one chance to see Cap'n Jazz live. We'll see you there!

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The Story
With only one full-length album to their name alongside a handful of singles and compilation tracks, Cap'n Jazz left a longstanding impression and irrefutable influence on the region's bohemian punk scene and unwittingly spawned a breeding ground for future scene stars such as the Promise Ring and Joan Of Arc. Traces of their sonic fingerprint permeate hundreds of indie records released in their wake.