Formation of the Band
Lansing, Michigan pop-punk/emo
Jenn’s Apartment was initially formed in 2004 by songwriter/guitarist Roy Kirby. From 2004 to 2007, the band released two EPs, opened for various major indie label bands, and recorded a third unreleased EP before splitting up in 2007.
Photo taken from our old MySpace page 🙂
2014: the Tri-Force of power is born
Jenn’s Apartment reforms with new members Chris davis and Justin Pine
In 2014 Kirby reformed the band with new members Chris Davis on bass and Justin Pine on drums. The trio reintroduced themselves to the world with the critically well-received Forever for the End EP in 2016.
“The lyrics are excellent, easy to follow and paint a vivid picture that we can follow; it makes the album engaging and relatable.”
Andrew Westberry of Divide and Conquer Music
DIY Studio
The Hardest Working Band in Lansing
2018 saw the band release the full-length album We’re a Small Band, be featured in Lansing City Pulse, and earn the moniker “The hardest working band in Lansing“. They built their own studio in 2019 so they could put out records more frequently, releasing two EPs, Jaren and The Band on the Throne, along with a second full-length album, 90’s School Bus, in the spring.
Jenn’s Apartment named an album after toy pickles
plastic pickles release and michigan touring
The fall of 2019 welcomed a new three-song EP, Plastic Pickles, on November 8th, 2019, on all major streaming platforms. All three songs on the EP feature the band’s signature up-tempo drumming, jangly rhythm guitars, bluesy leads, mingling harmonies, and instantly memorable songs. Following the trend of their previous record, 90’s School Bus, the band creates a catchy, upbeat sound to contrast with lyrics about divorce and substance abuse in the EP’s first two tracks: All the Things and Porchlight. The final song, Catch This Train, closes the EP with an almost saccharine sweet love song that maintains its edge thanks to the band’s high-energy drummer and is one of the band’s catchiest songs to date. The band wrapped up 2019, having played shows all over the state of Michigan.
MiScene Records split release
Jenn’s Apartment and almost made the mixtape team up for split
Following the release of Plastic Pickles, the band decided to join forces with Metro Detroit pop-punk band Almost Made the Mixtape and release a split EP entitled Oh! That’s What You Call Music?! Volume 1. Jenn’s Apartment opens their half of the split with Positive Potion, a mid-tempo rocker that features the band’s signature ringing guitar lines over crunchy rhythms and chords. They pick up the tempo and wear their pop-punk roots proudly on Drunk All the Time before closing the album with their cover of Anyways from the Almost Made the Mixtape release Attaboy!
Jenn’s Apartment takes the pop-punk track and adds a jangly 90’s feel to it, making it sound like a jam session between Counting Crows and Green Day. This release would have the groups featured in the “Turn it Down” section of the Lansing City Pulse, and the band would be featured in an article highlighting the split release show at local Mac’s Bar.
“This is a talented band with a fresh sound for this day and age. This is a five-star album.”
Yvonne Glasgow of Side Stage Magazine
Pandemic Release
Last major release before global pandemic
The Bird The Bridge The Wire is their latest full-length album set to release April 17th, 2020, on all major streaming platforms. Quickly following their EP release Dr_gs from last March, this album finds the band once again sharpening their razor-sharp craft. All but one of the album’s nine tracks clock in at under three minutes. Drummer Justin Pine kicks the tempo up on a number of the songs, letting the band fully display the punk rock chops they’ve always threatened on previous releases. The driving bass lines and tight drum fills provide a raucous background to songwriter and guitarist Roy Kirby’s storytelling style of power pop songwriting. Following the release of these works, the band was featured in Lansing Community College’s M897 Artist Spotlight and had an article in Alternative Sound.
Post Pandemic Jenn’s Apartment
New Challenges, Same Lansing Rock Band
Fatboy Forever is their first EP release since the onset of the coronavirus pandemic. Following their full-length release, The Bird The Bridge The Wire, in April of 2020, Jenn’s Apartment returns with three new songs. Acid Connection is a tight example of Jenn’s Apartment sound. Upfront pop-punk chords with ringing leads and tight, energetic drumming provide an upbeat background for explicit drug references.
You Suck is a unique and fun diss track aimed at online racists that one could see translating into a high-energy live shout-along. Closing track Nose Ring Part Two is a beefed-up production update to a previously released compilation track. Taking the tempo, energy, and guitar volume to an elevated level and giving the song a new life and worth a second listen. Fatboy Forever is the band’s 2021 reminder that Jenn’s Apartment is still here and as ready to rock as ever.
Jenn’s Apartment influences
90’s rock meets high-energy power pop
As equally influenced by 70’s power-pop acts like Thin Lizzy and The Police, and emo punk acts like Jawbreaker and The Get Up Kids, Jenn’s Apartment covers their driving guitar chords with layered lead lines and guitar solos. Guitarist and songwriter Roy Kirby, along with bassist Chris Davis, handles the production duties, letting the band’s raw guitar and drum-driven sound drive the forefront while the band’s layered vocals make sure every lyric and hook is heard. For fans of other influential bands such as Alkaline Trio, Oasis, The Romantics, Big Star, and The Hold Steady.
