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The Aquabats

From Biocrawler, the free encyclopedia.

The Aquabats from left to right: Crash, Chainsaw, MC Bat Commander, Ricky Fitness, and Jimmy The Robot

The Aquabats is a classification-defying band from Southern California. They are known for their humorous lyrics and outrageous live shows, during which the band is often attacked by supervillains onstage. The band's later albums have moved far beyond their ska roots and have branched into many musical genres, including a large electronic influence. This shift is so great that most agree the band can be no longer be classified as ska. Notable influences upon the Aquabats are Devo, Oingo Boingo, Peter Tosh, and The Skatalites.

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Band members

The members of the band are not commonly known by their true names, instead they go by superhero pseudonyms. They usually wear superhero outfits on stage. Anti-negativity helmets, rash guards, and power belts designed by Paul Frank generally make up these costumes. The current members of the band, and the instruments they play are:

The MC Bat Commander — Vocals
Ricky Fitness — Drums
Chainsaw Karate — Guitar
Crash McLarson — Bass Guitar
Jimmy The Robot (formerly known as J.A.M.E.S. the Robot, or J.A.I.M.E. for the Spanish speaking friends) — Saxophone, Keyboard, and Synthesizers
Popeye — Guitar

The group is also sometimes aided by Professor Monty Corndog, the man who supposedly gave the band their superpowers.

Prince Adam, The Aquabats trumpet, guitar, and keyboard player was the most recent Aquabat to leave the band. His departure was mentioned on 4 October 2004.

The newest member of the band is guitarist Popeye. He is reportedly going to fill in for Chainsaw on some tour dates he can't make, but on some dates they will play together. His arrival was announced by MC Bat Commander on a radio appearance following the release of Charge!!

Past members of the band include Catboy, Ultra Kyu (later known as the Mysterious Kyu), Doctor Rock, Ben the Brain, Nacho, Roddy B, Macaroni the New Columbus, and the Baron von Tito (aka Travis Barker of Blink-182).

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Band mythology

The Aquabats have an extensive backstory concerning their origin. According to the story, the band used to live in an idyllic country known as "Aquabania." Suddenly, Aquabania was attacked by Space Monster 'M', who is a powerful villain, forcing the group to flee their home and take to the ocean in a hollowed-out log. They finally landed in California, where they were taken in by the kind Professor, who proceeded to use chemicals to give the band their powers. The band decided to use their musical prowers to take over the world and defeat Space Monster 'M'. To this day, the band continues to be attacked by various villains and ne'er-do-wells, some of which are listed below:

Powdered Milk Man
The Sandfleas
The Silver Skull
The Floating Eye of Death
Cyclopsis
Gas Face
Grungor
Weedy, the Broccoli-Bee
The Werecrip
Kitty Litter
Toxic Waste Man
The Time Sprinkler
Russian Hackers

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Aquacadets

The band is supported by a fiercely loyal fan club known as the Aquacadets. Every year the band holds a special Cadet-only show known as the Aquacadet Summit. This is usually held in a secret location revealed only to the Cadets. The Cadets also maintain a message board community on the official Aquabats website, [1] (http://www.theaquabats.com).

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Discography

1995 - The Return of the Aquabats!
1997 - The Fury of the Aquabats!
1999 - The Aquabats vs. the Floating Eye of Death!
2000 - Myths, Legends, and Other Amazing Adventures, Vol. 2
2003 - Serious Awesomeness! (DVD with a live show, music video, and more.)
2004 - Yo, Check Out This Ride! (E.P.)
2005 - Charge!!

The Aquabats signed to Nitro Records in 2004. Tracks from the new album were performed at the South by Southwest festival in Austin, Texas, as well as at shows in Arizona. Official track listings, album art, release dates, and the album title were announced April 1st (April Fool's Day) on the official web site, along with a free download of a new song, Fashion Zombies!

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