Great Apes

Having previously spent time in other bands including the Ghost, Olehole, and Monster Squad, San Francisco-based friends Brian Moss (vocals, guitar), Rob Carter (guitar), Josh Kuntz (bass), and Matthew Kadi (drums), formed Great Ape in 2011. By the end of the year, the band had entered the studio to record the songs that would make up their first few releases in the spring of 2012: a self-titled 7" on Say-10 and two split singles with Daikon and Know Your Saints. The band spent the rest of 2012 playing shows across the U.S. in support of the singles -- including a Halloween show as Jahbreaker playing reggae covers of Jawbreaker songs -- and in August announced the departure of bassist Kuntz, who was replaced by Ryan Marshall. The four-piece headed into the studio with Jack Shirley (Joyce Manor, Deafheaven) to record their debut album in mid-2013. The LP Thread -- which used interviews, musings, and conversations with close friends as its subject matter -- appeared in September on Asian Man Records. 2014 saw the band continue to tour the U.S. and release the six-song EP Playland at the Beach. Using San Francisco landmarks as the inspiration for each track, the group continued to push the boundaries of their songwriting, creating a wholly new take on the punk sound. At the end of 2014, the group announced the departure of guitarist Rob Carter, with Chris Chapel coming on board as his replacement. With the group's popularity exploding, the quartet toured as both the headline act, and in support slots for the likes of Shonen Knife, Anti-Flag, and Alkaline Trio. At the end of 2015, Say-10 issue the Grey Tapes compilation, which featured the band's first few singles as well as unreleased demo tracks. Returning to the studio at the beginning of 2016, again with Jack Shirley, the band set about recording their sophomore release. The lyrical narrative on California Heart charted the struggles of an American teenager living in Fresno, California. The album dropped in September on Asian Man. ~ Rich Wilson