Cruel Swing

I was a huge fan of the Jawbox album For Your Revolutionary Sweetheart, even though the DIY community through their arms up at it as a sell out. You see Jawbox were the first band to jump ship from legendary Dischord Records out of D.C. and to a major (Atlantic Records, in this case.) But it afforded J. Robbins and company the ability to make their masterpiece, and one of the best songs of that year ("Savory.")

Robbins has since achieved cult status thanks to his prolific production work from 1997 until now. He's pretty much replicated his post-punk/math rock/early emo prototype in the studio for artists like Dismemberment Plan, Promise Ring and Jets to Brazil. While I'm not a big fan of a lot of those bands, his production is pretty f*cking great every time out. No wonder he was called on so often.

Robbins went on to form Burning Airplanes, and more recently, Channels with his wife, Janet Morgan. Robbins and Morgan recently had a son, Callum, who's been diagnosed with SMA (Spinal Muscular Atrophy,) a disease which causes a loss of the motor neurons of the spinal cord and brainstem. Life expectency is less then two years, but with diligent treatment, sufferers can go on to live into adulthood. Treatment and care is expensive, and they'll need a lot of help. Click here to learn how.

Playlist: Essential J. Robbins
Playlist: Produced by J. Robbins

More info: This is Callum Robbins. He needs your help. (Desoto Records)

I don't know how many more of these tragic stories this indie rock father can endure, but it's certainly pulling me into action.

tags: playlist, music, indie rock, sma, spinal muscular atrophy, jawbox, j robbins, callum robbins, joel rl phelps