After emerging from Washington D.C.’s legendary late-’80s post-hardcore scene, Jawbox came of age on their 1994 major-label debut—thanks to the addition of powerhouse drummer Zach Barocas. Jawbox was under a great deal
 of scrutiny when For Your Own Special Sweetheart dropped in early 1994. Following a pair of well-received releases and a half decade of nonstop touring, the Beltway-based foursome had just become the first band to leave Dischord Records—a hallowed Washington D.C. indie label with a universally respected and entirely homegrown roster—in favor of a major-label deal. Moreover, 
the group’s original drummer and founding member, Adam Wade,
 had recently jumped ship to join scene-mates (and fellow Dischord act) Shudder to Think. Despite chatter of sacrilege
 emanating from a fiercely protective
 underground, Jawbox delivered 
an instant post-hardcore classic in
 Sweetheart—one that boldly pushed
 the band’s stylistic boundaries
 while maintaining their abrasive 
yet undeniably melodic identity.
 Ironically, signing to Atlantic Records
 is […]

February 2019 Issue