Taken from the band Bio :

Jeremy Bolen and Nathan Snydacker formed Chin Up Chin Up (think optimism and perseverance, not exercise). The two guitarists were joined shortly thereafter by percussionist Chris Dye and bassist Chris Saathoff. In January 2002, the band released a self-titled EP, which inspired MOJO's call for readers to "meet your new favourite Chicago art-pop band." Later joined by keyboard player Greg Sharp, Chin Up Chin Up toured extensively, playing shows with the likes of the Appleseed Cast, the Mercury Program, Pedro the Lion, the American Analog Set, Broken Social Scene, Smog, and Pinback.

But midway through writing We Should Have Never Lived Like We Were Skyscrapers ­ hours, in fact, after mixing the demos ­ the band faced a tragic loss. In February, bassist Chris Saathoff was walking home from a show at the Empty Bottle when he was struck and killed in a hit-and-run accident. For months thereafter, the rest of the band mourned the loss of their good friend. "We all hung out together more than we hung out as a band," Bolen recalls. "We didn't think about music for a long time."

In due time, Chin Up Chin Up decided to regroup and finish the record, finally released in 2004. Using three discs' worth of practices that the band had recorded over the last few years, they pieced together the record's final six songs, keeping Chris's bass lines as intact as possible. Nathan then played the bass on the remaining tracks in near-homage to Chris's last writings. 'Falcons and Vulcans"', 'The Architect Has a Gun', and 'Get Me Off This Fucking Island' feature Chris's last performances with Chin Up Chin Up, but his talent and creative spirit live on through the band's music.

Chin Up Chin Up makes music about hope, about persevering through tragedy, and the redemption of optimism. Listen to We Should Have Never Lived Like We Were Skyscrapers­ from the title track's crescendoed bounce to the banjo and guitar of 'All My Hammocks Are Dying' ­ and you'll discover the beauty of old souls dancing like adolescents, their hearts bruised but beating stronger and louder each day.

In the end of 2006, Chin Up Chin Up have released their second proper full-length This Harness Can’t Ride Anything.

Past events

• Mon 10 Sep at Paris La Flèche d'Or. (post review)

Links

• Chin Up Chin Up Myspace
• Chin Up Chin Up Website

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