Jawbreaker, the heartfelt punk band that defined the Mission District scene in the 1990s, will reunite for Riot Fest in Chicago in September, the band confirmed today. Jawbreaker will headline Riot Fest’s Sunday lineup.
It's Official: Jawbreaker to Reunite for Riot Fest in September

The band, which disbanded after the relative commercial failure of their major-label debut Dear You, has seen its influence and popularity rise in the past 21 years. Rumors of a reunion have surfaced in recent years as the band has worked together to film a documentary, or to support benefit causes. (In January, both drummer Adam Phaler and bassist Chris Bauermeister were spotted together at a Nuisance show in Berkeley.)
Last year, the band played together in New York to test the waters for a headlining festival slot; according to drummer Adam Pfhaler, “Blake [Schwarzenbach] would not do it for all the money in the world. And I would do it for nothing. So it’s two sides of that same coin.”
At press time, the Riot Fest appearance is the only date announced for the reunion, though according to the typical concert-industry contract, other upcoming dates could be likely after Riot Fest sells out.
Watch Jawbreaker play ‘Parabola’ at Punks With Presses in West Oakland in 1994: