How to go
Who: Jasper the Colossal with Sleep Fleet, Good English and Bribing Senators
Where: Canal Public House, 308 E. First St., Dayton
When: 9 p.m. Saturday
Cost: $5
More info: 937-461-9343 or www.canalpublichouse.com
Artist info:
In July 2013 Jasper the Colossal celebrated five years as a band with a hometown show. That September, the all-female punk foursome went on hiatus. Now, a revamped trio version is emerging for a return performance at Canal Public House on Saturday.
Vocalist Paige Beller, who is now playing bass instead of former member Nicki Brooks, recently discussed the new look of Jasper the Colossal, which is rounded out by longtime members Moriah Yux (guitar) and Sarah Kouse (drums).
“We had some interpersonal stuff, but the main reason for the break was work,” Beller said. “Sarah got a new job and Moriah is a GM (general manager) at Hot Topic now. We’ve been reformatting as a three-piece and working on stuff with me playing bass for about five months. We’ve been writing and just getting everything nailed down before we take it out. We needed to take a little time to rethink and regroup, but it finally fell into place.”
During the break, Beller performed solo and with two bands. In Paige & the Bel Airs, she plays guitar and sings, while she plays drums and sings in Mayliner.
“I’ve been doing as much as I can put on my plate,” she said. “I love the other projects, because I’ve learned a lot musically, but I was ready to get back to Jasper, because it’s a whole different kind of show and experience. I’ve been bugging the girls for months now, and it finally got to the point where Moriah and Sarah were settled into their jobs and ready to do this.”
While the members of Jasper considered adding a new bass player, in the end Beller took on the duty.
“We didn’t really want to mess with the chemistry anymore,” she said.
“We’re doing this first show back and then we’ll probably take it easy through the holiday season and come back strong next year,” Beller said. “We’re going to be recording two new songs with the guy who did our last album.”
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