Midwest Emo Innovators Cap’n Jazz Play Thalia Hall
By Lori Sapio
I first photographed Cap’n Jazz in 1992 somewhere in the burbs of Chicago. I knew almost everyone at the show, I had only been photographing for a year or two. I had the same confidence we all did at that time, that we could accomplish anything. A year ago, I found a cassette of a comp of theirs from the early 90s. Popped it in, and the memories came flooding back to a time before social media and phones. I jumped at the chance to photograph them again and chose the first night of their two show run at Thalia Hall.
Before Coffin Prick came onstage I ran into Tim and Mike Kinsella’s Mom and had a nice little chat. Coffin Prick came on, and I went out to take some snaps. Their sound was reminiscent to Devo for me, they warmed up the crowd nicely. Tim walked onstage to a packed house, it was beautiful to see a lot of familiar faces from the early 90s mixed in with a lot of kids. The memories flooded back, and I love that these new crowd gets to experience what we did on a larger scope.
Tim did Tim, throwing the mic and his tambourine into the crowd. Then jumping in to do a little surfing to get back onstage to break out his French horn. They played a mix of old and new, and I am thankful I’ve been able to experience them then and now. The crowd was engaged the whole show, a mini pit broke out from time to time. I’ve always loved their rendition of “Take on Me” and loved seeing it live again.
Thanks for continuing to do what you love for all to experience.
Setlist for July 5th at Thalia Hall Chicago:
Basil’s Kite
In the Clear
Yes, I Am Talking to You (Bob Nanna appeared to sing “I’m dying to tell you I’m dying”
The Sands’ve Turn’d Purple
Ooh Do I Love You
Tokyo
Olerud
Forget Who We Are
Bluegrassish
Little League
For Nate’s Brother Whose Name I Never Knew Or Can’t Remember (Owls cover)
Precious
Planet SHH
Oh Messy Life
Encore:
Flashpoint: Catheter
Take On Me (a-ha cover)
Puddle Splashers
Que Suerte!