Cap’n Jazz
Shmap’n Shmazz (30th Anniversary Edition)
Polyvinyl Records [2025]
Released: 1995/Reissue: February 21, 2025
Producer: Casey Rice
Length: 32 minutes
“The chaotic masterpiece that sparked a movement—Shmap’n Shmazz still rattles the bones of emo decades later.”
Cap’n Jazz began as a scrappy group of high school friends making a racket in Chicago’s DIY scene. Led by the Kinsella brothers, the band—Tim, Mike, Victor Villarreal, Sam Zurick, and Davey von Bohlen—played with a reckless energy that set them apart. Their music carried an unfiltered charm, filled with tangled guitars, shifting rhythms, and chaotic vocals. Though their time together was brief, the members would go on to form a web of influential projects, including American Football, The Promise Ring, Joan of Arc, Owls, and Owen, solidifying their legacy far beyond their initial run.
Shmap’n Shmazz didn’t just shake up underground music—it laid the groundwork for an entire movement. The album’s youthful intensity and fractured song structures set the stage for what would later be labeled as Midwest emo. Lyrics feel like scribbled diary entries tossed into a whirlwind of crashing drums and spiraling guitars, capturing a rawness that remains compelling decades later. Its influence can be heard in countless bands that followed, making it an essential touchstone for those tracing the genre’s roots.
SINGLES: While Cap’n Jazz wasn’t a “singles band,” tracks like “Little League” and “Oh Messy Life” became fan favorites. “Little League” bursts out of the gate with a mix of melodic hooks and barely controlled chaos, while “Oh Messy Life” showcases the band’s signature blend of introspection and tangled instrumentation. These songs, among others, have continued to resonate with new listeners, gaining traction long after the band’s initial run.
DEEP CUTS: Deeper in the tracklist, “Puddle Splashers” feels like a manifesto of the band’s approach—melodic yet unpredictable, with Tim Kinsella’s delivery teetering between urgency and vulnerability. “Basil’s Kite” swings wildly between moments of clarity and frenzied outbursts, highlighting the band’s knack for controlled disarray. “Bluegrassish” dials into an off-kilter charm, featuring a more relaxed yet still eccentric approach that breaks up the record’s frenetic energy.
ARTISTS WITH SIMILAR FIRE: Fans of Cap’n Jazz’s restless spirit might find a similar pulse in bands like Braid, The Get Up Kids, Rainer Maria, and The Van Pelt. More recent acts such as Algernon Cadwallader and Snowing clearly draw from the same well, carrying forward the mix of jagged guitars and emotive bursts that defined Shmap’n Shmazz.
INTERESTING FACT: Despite the album’s impact, it was recorded in just five days at Idful Studios in Chicago. The chaotic energy on the record wasn’t just an aesthetic choice—it was the result of genuine teenage excitement and a band pushing themselves in the moment. Decades later, the album’s influence is so widespread that it has arguably inspired more bands than any other release in its genre. The album’s full title is a mouthful: Burritos, Inspiration Point, Fork Balloon Sports, Cards in the Spokes, Automatic Biographies, Kites, Kung Fu, Trophies, Banana Peels We’ve Slipped On, and Egg Shells We’ve Tippy Toed Over. However, it’s commonly referred to as Shmap’n Shmazz, a playful nod to the center label’s face design.
WHAT HAS CAP’N JAZZ BEEN UP TO?: After splitting up, the members of Cap’n Jazz each carved their own paths in indie and emo history. Tim and Mike Kinsella continued to experiment with various projects, most notably Joan of Arc and American Football. Davey von Bohlen carried the melodic core into The Promise Ring and later Maritime. Sam Zurick and Victor Villarreal remained active in numerous collaborations, including Owls and Ghosts and Vodka. Cap’n Jazz has announce a reunion tour for the summer, proving that their legacy remains as vital as ever. The 2025 remaster of Shmap’n Shmazz ensures that the album’s jagged brilliance will reach yet another wave of listeners.
CAP’N JAZZ LINKS
Instagram | Bandcamp | Polyvinyl Records
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