Chin Up Chin Up

Jeremy Bolen, formerly of Punjab and Hertzsprung Gap, formed Chin Up Chin Up with Nathan Snydacker of Nymb in early fall 2001. It was their mission to create a new Chicago sound, one that is melodically rich and textural, combining linear pop songs with non-traditional instrumentation. Together with Chris Dye on drums and Chris Saathoff on bass, they began writing songs that convey a sentimental feeling akin to an '80s John Hughes movie soundtrack, but with a contemporary sound. Chin Up Chin Up spent eight months writing and perfecting their sound before playing live, and the result is a mature band, with songs that are as good as songs can get. Their first release, a self-titled 6-song CD EP, was recorded in May 2002 at Semaphore Studios in Chicago, Illinois. Chris Hansen of Pinebender provided a guest vocal appearance on the track, "For All the Tanning Salons In Texas," and Devin Davis played theremin on the beautifully recorded track, "I'm Not Asking for a Tennis Bracelet."