Jacob's Mouse

Jacob's Mouse were a three-piece indie rock band from Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, England, consisting of identical twins Hugo and Jebb Boothby on guitar and bass respectively, and singing drummer Sam Marsh.

History

The band members first got together when they were aged 11.<ref name="Allmusic">"Jacob's Mouse Biography", Allmusic. Retrieved 28 October 2018</ref> They initially played covers, but progressed to original material inspired by bands they heard on John Peel's radio show, such as Dog Faced Hermans. They adopted the name Jacob's Mouse, a reference to a cousin's pet.<ref name="Allmusic" /><ref name="Strong">Strong, Martin C. (2003) The Great Indie Discography, Canongate Template:ISBN, p. 807</ref>

Their first release, The Dot EP, was named 'single of the week' by Sounds, and they went on to play support slots with bands such as Nirvana, Carter USM, and Senseless Things.<ref name="Allmusic" /><ref name="Strong" /><ref>Soulsby, Nick (2015) I Found My Friends: The Oral History of Nirvana, Griffin, Template:ISBN, p. 172</ref> They released their first album, No Fish Shop Parking, on their own Blithering Idiot label. It was well received by critics;<ref>Sheffield, Rob (1993) "Jacob's Mouse No Fish Shop Parking", Spin, January 1993, p. 69. Retrieved 28 October 2018</ref><ref>Raggett, Ned "No Fish Shop Parking Review", Allmusic. Retrieved 28 October 2018</ref><ref>Morrison, Dave "Jacob's Mouse No Fish Shop Parking", Select, 1991</ref> Option magazine described them as "the current embodiment of the rock 'n' roll spirit".<ref>"Jacob's Mouse No Fish Shop Parking", Option, Iss. 48-53, 1993, p. 108</ref> It led to airplay on Peel and Mark Goodier's BBC Radio 1 shows, and they went on to record two sessions for Peel's show in 1992.<ref>"Jacob's Mouse", Keeping It Peel, BBC. Retrieved 28 October 2018</ref>

The band signed to Wiiija and toured with Babes in Toyland. In September 1992, they released their Ton Up EP and signed with Frontier Records in the United States.<ref name="Allmusic" /><ref name="Strong" /> Their second album, I'm Scared, was released in April 1993, and received a four star review in Select.<ref name="Allmusic" /><ref>Raggett, Ned "I'm Scared Review", Allmusic. Retrieved 28 October 2018</ref><ref>Perry, Andrew "Jacob's Mouse - I'm Scared", Select, 1993</ref>

A compilation of tracks from singles and EPs, Wryly Smilers, was released in September 1994.<ref name="Strong" /><ref name="Goldman">Goldman, Marlene "Jacob's Mouse", Trouser Press. Retrieved 28 October 2018</ref><ref>Raggett, Ned "Wryly Smilers Review", Allmusic. Retrieved 28 October 2018</ref>

Their third album, Rubber Room, was released in February 1995.<ref>"Jacob's Mouse Rubber Room", Wire, vol. 131-136, 1995, p. 65</ref><ref>Trew, Jonathan (1995) "Jacob's Mouse Rubber Room", The List, Issue 251, 21 April 1995, p. 45. Retrieved 28 October 2018</ref> The band split up later that year.<ref name="Strong" /> Marsh went on to record a few singles and three albums as The Machismo's,<ref name="Strong" /> and played in hardcore punk band Volunteers for a time, before forming dub band Zen Reggae Masters.

Discography

Albums

• No Fish Shop Parking (1991), Blithering Idiot
• I'm Scared (1993), Wiiija
• Wryly Smilers (1994), Wiiija – EP/singles compilation
• Rubber Room (1995), Wiiija

Singles/EPs

• The Dot EP (1990), Liverish
• Ton Up EP (1992), Wiiija
• "Company News" (1992), Rough Trade Single Club - two World Domination Enterprises covers
• "Good" (1993), Wiiija
• "Group Of 7" (1993), Wiiija
• "Ton of Scum" (1993), Wiiija
• "Fandango Widewheels" (1994), Wiiija
• "Hawaiian Vice" (1994), Wiiija

Split releases/compilation appearances

• "Tumbleswan" on Submerge No. 4 EP (1992)
• "Kettle" on Ablaze! #10 EP (1993)

External links

• Jacob's Mouse on MySpace
• Volunteers website