Search - Janitors Against Apartheid, One Eye Open :: Nerds

Ledgendary Ska Punk

Peter Brian Rice | Santa Clara, Ca | 12/10/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Janitors Against Apartheid never made it huge or to the
top, but they got damn close, you could say they where
"almost famous". In the 7 years that the band was active
many line-up changes where made. Serveral demos had been released and distributed to the right connections, such as more
popular bands, and promoters. The first line-up consisted of
a singer who was a cross between EnCino Man, Pee-Wee Herman and
Morrisey. So most people don't know about the original singer unless there a die-hard JAA fan. Soon after the departure of the original singer and a line-up change for drummers The band had plenty of shows and tour under there belt that they became one of the most respected underground bands during the 3rd wave ska-era.The release of Nerds was a triumphing experience for the
group with thanks to SKA Ledgends Skankin Pickle, the CD
was put out on their label Dill records. A huge tour followed
with the group MU-330. It was this tour that the manager/band member quit before hitting the road. With no supervision or
managment, the band went on a frenzy of drugs, booze, and chaos which was comparable to Hunter S. Thompson "Fear And Loathing In Las Vegas". When the tour finished and Nerds sold thousands of copies, the bands dream of being larger than life rockstars was taken away from them.In Los Angeles during a regular one off show, a group
of people claiming to be record label excutives showed
up and said they wanted to sign us. It turns out that they
where lawyers from a Candy company, serving papers that
said they where sueing for Tradmark Infrindgment, (basicly
for ripping off the Nerd's Candy logo without permisson).
News spread of the lawsuit, band moral was at an all time low
band members quit out of faliure and a dream taken away.
The band was to forge on with new members and shows, but
the last original member quit, because the fact was, the party was over. JAA and Dill Records ended up paying the
full ammout asked from the Candy Company. As of yet
there are no talks of a JAA reunion, but the question you
have to ask is, would people still remember these guys?Nerds was the first and last of a wonderful and stange time during the rise and fall of the 3-Wave-Ska generation.."

Nice album, but prefer B-side band One Eye Open. The Janitor

Steven M. Sharatz | Ponce, Puerto Rico | 11/04/2007

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Well Janitors I have to admit you make some decent music but you totally screwed me when you didn't come to my charity show at UC Berkeley oh, I think in 1999. Neither did another headliner, who's name I forget. So I think you are lame on a personal level but respect your tasty-looking album on a musical one.



Word.



Steve Sharatz of the long defunct band once known as Ludicrous Speed. You must admit that Ludicrous Speed is a contender for the best name ever for a band, and that Janitors Against Apartheid sounds silly and haughty at the same time.



But to the customers: It's a run of the mill ska album, to which I think the "accompanying" band One Eye Open contributes the most in terms of originality, musicianship, and fun."

Coolio like woah

Steven M. Sharatz | 09/09/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"this cd is amazing, its a fun, and fast paced cd. i guarantee it will brighten your day. buy it yo. you will be glad you did"