About Glassjaw

glassJAw is a four-piece band (formerly a five-piece) from Long Island, New York. The band is fronted by vocalist Daryl Palumbo and guitarist Justin Beck, and has undergone numerous line-up changes since their inception. The exact style of music the band plays is much debated with the term 'the glassJAw sound' used to refer to it. The sound can be considered to have taken inspiration from, but not limited to: Bad Brains, Snapcase, Mike Patton and Refused. glassJAw are often cited by many other musicians as a key influence in the genre of post-hardcore.

The band was formed around 1993 whilst Beck was also playing with Jewish straight-edge band, The Sons of Abraham and Palumbo was in his own straight-edge band called XbustedX. The group's line-up changed constantly in their early years while they played in the local New York Hardcore scene. From 1994-1999 the band recorded several demo quality recordings of some songs that would eventually appear on their official releases, as well as several other compositions that would not see official release. A significant recording came in 1999 working with Don Fury, showcasing songs that would appear on their debut LP Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Silence.

The band recorded the five song Kiss Kiss Bang Bang EP in 1997. The record was released independently on the label 2 Cents a Pop, then saw a re-release in 2001 without label affiliation. The line-up on this record was Daryl Palumbo, Justin Beck, Todd Weinstock, Kris Baldwin and Ariel Telford. "Star Above My Bed", from the EP, is often still in the band's setlists' to this day.

In 1999, the band entered the studio at Indigo Ranch in Malibu, CA with producer Ross Robinson (At the Drive-In, Korn, Limp Bizkit, Slipknot, among others) and recorded their first full-length album entitled Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Silence which saw release in 2000 through Roadrunner Records, the line-up on this record was Palumbo, Beck, Todd Weinstock, Manuel Carrero & Sammy Siegler(who would leave the band prior to the subsequent tour). The music was aggressive and unrelenting, but also included spacious songs like "When One Eight Becomes Two Zeros", "Her Middle Name is Boom", "Piano" and the epic "Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Silence". The music, accompanied with Daryl's lyrics, which were often bitter and resentful towards particular characters he was discussing, and his singing style in itself, which is very powerful and aggressive, showing off his impressive range incorporated with gutteral screaming, created a very unique dynamic. Although EYEWTKAS is often cited as a milestone post-hardcore album, it saw little push from Roadrunner causing the band to garner an ill-will toward the label. Matters were somewhat worsened when Palumbo started to have bouts with his Crohn's Disease on tour as his aggressive style would sometimes trigger attacks, which have potential to be fatal. Larry Gorman officially took over drumming duties part-way through touring. Following the conclusion of tour support for the album, Manny Carrero left the band due to personal reasons.

In 2001, the band entered the studio in secret with Ross Robinson and began recording their follow-up album Worship and Tribute, which would see release the following year. They shopped this to other labels and ended up signing a deal with Warner Bros. Records. The line-up on this record was Palumbo, Beck(who also provided bass duties), Weinstock & Shannon Larkin of Amen and later Godsmack, who provided drumming duties due to recording time constraints, as he had worked well with producer Ross Robinson in the past, although Larry Gorman was composing parts and officially the drummer of the band. It should be noted that Ross Robinson does not use a 'click track'(automated metronome) when recording drummers, as he believes "it takes away from the true essence of the music". This album showcased a more melodic and mature glassJAw, as they started to further incorporate Jazz and Ambient influences, particularly in tracks like "Ape Dos Mil", "Must've Run All Day", "The Gillette Cavalcade of Sports", "Trailor Park Jesus" and "Convectuoso"(which did not appear on the official release due to a publishing dispute with Roadrunner). Lyrically, the more confrontational elements heard on 'Everything...' were reigned in, with Palumbo taking a more cerebral approach. Dave Allen joined the group as bassist following the recording of the album. The band then toured extensively throughout 2002-2003, playing all over the world, and played on festival tours such as Warped Tour, Ozzfest and Snocore. The band then decided to take a hiatus in 2004 while Palumbo was composing and performing with his new group Head Automatica. Larry Gorman also decided to follow Palumbo in joining Head Automatica.

In late 2004, Todd Weinstock, Dave Allen, and Larry Gorman all left the band due to unclear personal reasons. Todd seemed the most surprised with his departure, as he found that performances had been booked without his knowing or billing. Todd then decided to found his own band, Men, Women and Children. Allen was replaced with a returning Manuel Carrero, who had been playing with a band named The Jiant, and is also currently a member of Saves the Day. Manny rejoined after nearly 5 years away from the group. Durijah Lang, who was also a former band member from their early years, and current member of Classic case, replaced Larry Gorman behind the kit. The band also decided not to fill it's vacant guitarist role and continue as a four-piece.

In October 2005 the band released a B-side EP of songs not used in the band's second album Worship and Tribute, entitled El Mark. After a two year hiatus, the band played three shows in 2005, two at The Downtown in Farmingdale, New York, with proceeds going to charity, and a spot on The Used's tour at the Hammerstein Ballroom.

In the July 2006 issue of AP magazine, Palumbo stated that glassJAw was in the process of writing & recording some new material for the next album, which he hopes to release in 2007. Daryl has also hinted that there could be a unifying concept behind the album. There have also been circulating rumours that the upcoming record may be the first without producer Ross Robinson, as the band may have decided to self-produce their next effort, this however, is unconfirmed.

Moreover, GlassJAw's website (www.glassjaw.com) is yet again up and running as of early November 2006. There are now confirmed tour dates listed, as well as dates listed as "100% Maybe", suggesting dates that are TBA. Some of these dates are scheduled to be performed with the Deftones.