Blake Schwarzenbach | |
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Schwarzenbach performing with Jets to Brazil in 2001
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Background information | |
Birth name | Alexander Blake Schwarzenbach |
Born | May 21, 1967 |
Origin | Berkeley, California, United States |
Genres | Punk rock, alternative rock, indie rock, emo |
Instruments | vocals, guitar, piano |
Years active | 1986–present |
Labels | Shredder, Tupelo/Communion, Geffen, Blackball Records, Jade Tree |
Associated acts | Jawbreaker, Jets to Brazil, The Thorns of Life, Forgetters |
Alexander Blake Schwarzenbach (born May 21, 1967) is an American musician. He was the singer and guitarist of Jawbreaker (1986–1996), Jets to Brazil (1997–2003), The Thorns of Life (2008–2009), and Forgetters (2009– 2013). Although experiencing little mainstream success himself, Schwarzenbach and groups he has been a member of have influenced a variety of musical groups.
Schwarzenbach spent his early childhood in Berkeley, California and Boulder, Colorado. Upon moving to Venice, Los Angeles, California to live with his father, he attended the Crossroads School, a private K-12 school in Santa Monica, California. He then attended New York University between 1985 and 1991, including a two-quarter stint at UC Santa Cruz in 1985. He received a Bachelor of Arts degree from NYU in English literature and creative writing in 1991.
Jawbreaker formed in 1986 after Blake Schwarzenbach and drummer Adam Pfahler responded to a flyer that bassist Chris Bauermeister posted in a New York University dorm cafeteria. The band played their first show as Jawbreaker on March 16, 1989 at Club 88 in Los Angeles, CA. Jawbreaker disbanded in the summer of 1996. They had played together for eight years and released four albums. Their last show was on May 19, 1996 at the Capitol Theater in Olympia, WA.