Forgetters
Forgetters was a punk rock band from Brooklyn, New York, active between 2009 and 2013. The band was fronted by Blake Schwarzenbach, known for his earlier work with Jawbreaker and Jets to Brazil. With a rotating cast of collaborators and a fiercely DIY approach, Forgetters combined thoughtful songwriting with a stripped-down punk backbone. Though short-lived, their music captured a raw and unfiltered energy that resonated with fans of Schwarzenbach’s earlier projects.
How The Band Got Started
Forgetters formed in 2009, just after the breakup of Schwarzenbach’s previous band, The Thorns of Life. He teamed up with Kevin Mahon, the original drummer from Against Me!, and Caroline Paquita, formerly of the band Bitchin’. The trio quietly began writing and rehearsing in Brooklyn, avoiding publicity and major label attention. From the start, Forgetters carried a low-profile attitude, despite their members’ punk pedigrees. The Village Voice even noted that the group could easily have been marketed as a “supergroup,” but instead they stayed intentionally grounded, favoring small clubs and personal connection over industry hype.
Early Releases and Touring
In 2010, Forgetters released their self-titled double 7-inch EP on their own Too Small to Fail Records. It featured the songs “Vampire Lessons,” “Too Small to Fail,” “Not Funny,” and “The Night Accelerates.” The EP was recorded with a raw, analog sound that felt closer to the garage than the studio, drawing positive reviews from the underground press. Willamette Week described it as “a gorgeously drunken stumble through the East Bay’s fog and smog,” while the Chicago Reader called them “a lean, rough power trio.”
The title “Too Small to Fail” referenced both the band’s label and their 2009-2010 tour of the U.S. East and Southeast. Their early shows were intense and unfussy, with minimal stage banter and an emphasis on atmosphere over perfection. By early 2011, Forgetters hit the West Coast for a tour with Street Eaters, followed by a European run later that spring. After those shows, bassist Caroline Paquita left the group, leaving Schwarzenbach and Mahon to carry on as a duo.
Recording the Full-Length Album
Following Paquita’s departure, rumors circulated that Forgetters had disbanded. But in early 2012, a photo surfaced online showing the two remaining members recording in the studio. This led to the release of their self-titled full-length album later that year, on November 13, 2012. The record was produced by J. Robbins (known for his work with Jawbox and Burning Airlines), who also contributed bass parts. The album balanced jagged guitars and weary introspection, with lyrics that felt like late-night journal entries from a restless mind. It was punk music with emotional precision—an evolution of Schwarzenbach’s storytelling rooted in noise and nostalgia.
Fade Out and Aftermath
After the album’s release, Forgetters quietly went inactive. There was no formal breakup announcement, no farewell show, and no press statement—just silence. By 2013, it was clear that the project had run its course. A few years later, in 2017, Schwarzenbach reunited with his most famous band, Jawbreaker, bringing his career full circle. Forgetters, though brief, left behind two strong releases and a sense that even in quiet exits, authenticity can echo louder than hype.
Band Members
- Blake Schwarzenbach – vocals, guitar
- Kevin Mahon – drums
- Michelle Proffit – bass
Past Members
- Caroline Paquita – bass
Discography
- Forgetters EP (Too Small to Fail, 2010) – A double 7-inch release featuring “Vampire Lessons,” “Too Small to Fail,” “Not Funny,” and “The Night Accelerates.”
- Forgetters LP (Too Small to Fail, 2012) – The band’s only full-length album, produced by J. Robbins, showcasing a darker, more reflective sound.
The Story After The Noise
Forgetters may have lasted only a few years, but they captured a fleeting moment of honest, unpolished punk in the 2010s. Their music stood apart from trends and nostalgia acts, reminding fans that reinvention doesn’t always need a spotlight. For Schwarzenbach, Mahon, and Paquita, the band wasn’t about legacy—it was about expression, played loud and left behind with intention.
