Tigers Jaw

Tigers Jaw are an American indie rock band from Scranton, United States, active since 2005. Their sound is associated with acoustic rock, emo, emo pop, indie folk, indie rock and midwest emo.

Formation and members

The group forms in Scranton in 2005. Its name refers to a song by the lo-fi band The Microphones. The original line-up includes Ben Walsh, Brianna Collins, drummer Mike May, Adam McIlwee and bassist Dennis Mishko. Mike May stays with the band only briefly and does not record with them, and Pat Brier replaces him the same year.

The band’s later membership includes Walsh and Collins as core vocalists, along with Mike May, Pat Brier, Dennis Mishko and Wicca Phase Springs Eternal.

Recordings and releases

Tigers Jaw debut with Belongs to the Dead, released on Summersteps Records in 2006. A self-titled album follows in 2008 on Prison Jazz Records. Between the second and third albums, the band releases the EP Spirit Desire on Tiny Engines and a split seven-inch with Balance and Composure.

The third album, Two Worlds, comes out on Run For Cover Records in 2010. From 2010 to 2013, the group issues a series of split releases and EPs, including two acoustic releases for the Run For Cover Acoustic Series, a split with The Sidekicks, a seven-inch with the tracks “Gypsy” and “Jimmy Piersall”, a split with Tiny Empires, a four-way split with Code Orange Kids, The World Is a Beautiful Place and I Am No Longer Afraid to Die, and Self Defense Family, and a 2013 seven-inch with “Hum” and “Cool”.

Line-up changes and later work

In 2013, Brianna Collins announces that Adam McIlwee, Pat Brier and Dennis Mishko are unable to continue with the band for personal reasons. During the 2013 UK tour, members of Basement fill in for former Tigers Jaw members. The fourth studio album, Charmer, follows in 2014 and is the final album to feature McIlwee, Mishko and Brier.

Related projects

After leaving Tigers Jaw, Adam McIlwee records as Wicca Phase Springs Eternal. He also joins Gothboiclique in 2012 and later records with Misery Club, a group he starts in 2018.

Reception

The band’s debut record receives a generally positive review from AbsolutePunk, which highlights its emotionally driven lyrics and Adam McIlwee’s vocal performance.