the Informer

Courtesy of Fanpop.com

Legendary New Haven, Conn., third-wave ska band, Spring- Heeled Jack is reuniting for the first time in eight years. The revolutionary two-tone rude boys will be reuniting for a show at Toad’s Place on May 7, 2010. The nine-piece ska band made two impacting contributions to the ‘90s ska scene, “Static World View,” and “Songs from Suburbia.”

Originally formed in 1991, the ska band made it their goal to play as many local shows as they could, which, in turn, resulted in a huge following for Spring Heeled Jack and boosted their reputation in New Haven. 1993 saw SHJ self-release their first EP titled CT Ska, which was only available on cassette.

With a strong fan base the group began to make some noise around other Connecticut ska scenes and eventually got noticed by Robert Hingley, a founding member of The Toasters and the owner of Moon Ska Records. Liking what he heard Hingley signed Spring Heeled Jack and lit the fuse that would get the group out of their comfort zone of the New Haven ska scene and onto touring the country.

Amidst recording their debut album in the studio, lineup changes hindered the process and brought about fresh blood into the band. Eventually releasing their 1996 debut album “Static World View,” Spring Heeled Jack also recorded a music video for their first single “Pay Some Dues.”

Close to a year after the release of their first cut, SHJ dropped Ska Moon Records and signed with Ignition Records in hopes of getting closer to mainstream success. The band was forced to change their name to avoid legal confusion with the British band called Spring “Heel” Jack resulting in the addition of U.S.A. to their name.

Although fans still know the band by their original name, the addition was necessary to be safe. In 1998 the group recorded their second album “Songs from Suburbia” in New York City and began the filming of their second music video “Jolene,” a song dedicated to their original touring van.

Soon after their mild success in the mainstream of ska, Spring Heeled Jack steadily picked up speed going down hill. Ignition Records couldn’t afford to stay in business leaving the band without a label, effectively igniting the breakup period.

Although the band remained together until 2000, their decline was apparent with no new releases in the final years of their first run.
Mutually deciding to pursue their own individual musical careers but reunite down the road to play a live show, Spring Heeled Jack called it quits and has not played a show since 2002. April ’02 also saw the death of founding member Dave Karcich.

Now back for a reunion under the guidance of Asbestos Records of Connecticut, Spring Heeled Jack will reissue both their albums on limited edition vinyl. The big reunion takes place on May 7, 2010 at Toad’s Place in the city where it all began, New Haven.