Band History

The band was formed by Will Kapinos, Joe Potraza and Alex Maples, playing pure surf rock at first. That soon merged with elements of psychedelia and country rock, forming a conglomeration of styles that the band called "psychedelic desert music."

Jet Screamer (originally two words) soon became a staple of Denton. However, in 1998, after releasing one EP and a self-released cassette that was to be the forerunner of Jet Screamer's first full-length album, Joe Potraza left the band. The full-length was never recorded, and Jet Screamer was left without a bass player and singer.

In fall of '97, Samantha Moss arrived in Denton to pursue her degree in painting at UNT. After becoming a regular at house shows and parties, Will eventually asked Samantha if she wanted to give Jet Screamer a try. She joined Jet Screamer in June of '98.

They made some minor changes - two guitars, open tuning, and slides - no bass. Will used his voice. The name also changed slightly to "jetscreamer."

Fast forward to 2003 - Bella Union put out the newly recorded (with maestro Dave Willingham) Starhead in June of 2003, thereby giving jetscreamer a place to call home. They went on the band's first tour ever (anywhere) in England and Scotland.

Things seemed like they were going smoothly, but Alex Maples left the band late 2003. Billy Myatt joined shortly thereafter, but things just got worse. After numerous personal traumas, including deaths in immediate family, the band was put on hold.

Billy left the band shortly after playing SXSW 2005, and jetscreamer has since then played with gifted drummers Justin Collins of Burnt Sienna Trio, John McCane of Zest of Yore, and Michael Melendi of The Skin Trade. An Army of Drummers slowly building, jetscreamer is ready to move on.

Information from the band's site

Members

• Will Kapinos: guitar, lead vocals, vocals
• Samantha Moss: guitar

Former Members

• Joe Potraza: bass, vocals
• Alex Maples: drums
• Billy Myatt: drums

Influences

Sandy Bull, Beatles, Dead C, Mance Lipscomb, Sonic Youth, The Fall, The Ex-Warlock Trilogy (ZZ Top, Grateful Dead, Velvet Underground), Depeche Mode, Sufjan Stevens, Hawk And The Hacksaw, Clotaire K, Ornette Coleman, Braintax, Mississippi John Hurt, Joni Mitchell, Mogwai, Stravinsky, My Bloody Valentine, The Stooges, Boredoms, Yo La Tengo, The Cramps, Bob Dylan, Bluegrass Gospel, Brigitte Fontaine, Neil Young, Blue Cheer, U.S.A (The Sixties Band), Phish, The Cure, Led Zep, The Smiths, Miles Davis, Cocteau Twins, Bobby Bare, Willie Nelson, Primal Scream, Aaron Copeland, Faust, Spacemen 3, Spiritualized, Stockhausen, E.A.R., Warda, Wire, Royal Trux, Too Short, Johnny Cash, Guns N Roses, Pavement, Black Dice, Animal Collective, Gang Star, Devendra Banhart

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