Blue Collar

Formed in the summer of 1997, the Chicago area-based Blue Collar was a punk and reggae band.

Bio

The band was formed by vocalist and guitarist J Albert & bassist Andrew in the summer of 1997.

They played shows at Shenanigans (Romeoville, IL), Riley's Rock House (Aurora, IL), Chicago Street Pub (Joliet, IL) and Off the Alley (Homewood, IL) and Hotti Biscotti, (Chicago, IL), and Silvies Lounge (Chicago, IL). Post millenium J Albert and Andrew went on to form the folk punk band The Project a.k.a. J Albert & the Project

Blue Collar recorded their first release in Champaign, a DIY 3 song demo on cassette titled Labor Day Weekend on a Fostex analog 4 track and included a full drum mix. Their full LP was also recorded in Champaign - at Rosewood Studio (R.I.P.), engineered and mixed by Andy Lund and mastered from DAT by J Albert and David Albert (Final mixdown by Prehistoric Records). All songs were produced by Blue Collar.

In a small way, they were a subtle Midwestern response to Reel Big Fish. Though they did not have nearly the blatant 3rd wave ska/Ska Revival sound that particularly came out of the west coast; and had no brass section, about half the songs were off-beat (including their version of N.W.A.'s Automobile) and considerably pop ska-punk sound, and with songs like their quintessential "FM Radio," they too pointed out the irony of punk rock values aside fame and the desire for it, as well as their light-hearted and sometimes self deprecating attitude and humorous approach towards an LP while still maintaining touches of politics, with tracks like the Sex Theme, The Hoe Down, FM Radio, and hidden track and the local favorite "pancakes," a song about the insatiable desire for the breakfast confection.

They disbanded in 2000.

Original Lineup

• J Albert (Vocals, Rhythm guitar)
• Andrew Majetich (Bass, Vocals)
• Jay Majetich (Guitar)
• Kevvin Peterson (Lead Guitar)
• Braden McClintock (drums)

Later Busking Lineup

• J Albert (Vocals, Rhythm guitar)
• Andrew Majetich (Bass, Vocals)

Discography

• Labor Day Weekend (Cassette demo)
• Self Titled (LP, CD)