Jon Cougar Concentration Camp

ByLets Go Punk
Jon Cougar Concentration Camp formed in San Diego in 1994

Jon Cougar Concentration Camp is a punk rock band from San Diego, California, that formed in the mid-1990s and built a discography that mixes original records with full-album cover projects.

The band’s name is a pun on John Cougar Mellencamp, which set the tone early: loud, blunt, and not especially interested in being subtle.

Early Lineup and First Releases

The group started in January 1994 in San Diego with Chris Fields, Clint Graham, Travis Spatter, and Travis Milligan. Their first show took place at The Casbah on January 31, 1994. Less than two months later they self-released their first 7 inch EP.

That initial release was the only recording featuring Graham and Milligan, who both left soon afterward. Dave Swain later joined on bass, and the band continued as a trio.

Albums, Covers, and a Busy Late 1990s

The band released a self-titled debut album in 1995 on Second Guess Records. They followed with ‘Til Niagara Falls on BYO Records in 1997.

In 1998, they released two albums. Melon collected new material, while Too Tough to Die recreated the Ramones album track for track.

Side Projects and the 1999 Wrap-Up

During a break from touring and recording, Swain and Fields joined The Queers and played on the album Punk Rock Confidential. Fields was also invited by Dwarves frontman Blag Dahlia, who produced Melon, to join The Dwarves.

With Fields juggling three bands, he left The Queers and ended Jon Cougar Concentration Camp. A final album, Hot Shit, was released in 1999.

Reunion and Later Releases

After a ten-year break, the band reunited in 2009 and released another full-album cover project. My Hair Hurts is a song-for-song version of Screeching Weasel’s My Brain Hurts, released on vinyl through Livid Records in November 2009.

In December 2009, Paste Magazine included the band in its list of “100 Best Band Names of All Time.”

The band returned to original material in 2015 with the four-track EP Armageddon Party on Rad Girlfriend Records, their first new release in 15 years.

Members

  • Chris Fields
  • Dave Swain
  • Chip Fracture

Discography

Studio albums and EPs:

  • Jon Cougar Concentration Camp (That’s Il-Legal — Go Get Them) (1995)
  • ‘Til Niagara Falls… (1997)
  • Melon (1998)
  • Too Tough to Die (1998)
  • Hot Shit (1999)
  • My Hair Hurts (2009)
  • Armageddon Party, EP (2015)

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