Chin Up Chin Up
| Company type | Indie pop band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 2001 |
| Headquarters | Chicago , United States |
| Products | Music albums, live performances |
Chin Up Chin Up is a Chicago-based American indie pop ensemble that originated in 2001. The group briefly came together again for a pair of performances in Chicago during 2024.
Members
The band's roster featured Jeremy Bolen on vocals and guitar, who previously played with Punjab and The Hertzsprung Gap; guitarist Nathan Snydacker, formerly of Nymb; bassist Chris Saathoff; drummer Chris Dye; and keyboardist Greg Sharp. After Saathoff's passing in 2004, Jesse Woghin took over bass duties, followed by Bobby Burg, known for his work with Love of Everything, Joan of Arc, and Make Believe.
History
Following their formation, the band devoted eight months to producing their self-titled EP. Encouraged by favorable local critiques, they toured alongside acts like Appleseed Cast, the Mercury Program, Pedro the Lion, American Analog Set, Broken Social Scene, Smog, Minus the Bear, and Pinback. Their debut full-length album, We Should Have Never Lived Like We Were Skyscrapers, was recorded with producer John Congleton.
Tragically, on February 14, 2004, bassist Chris Saathoff died in a hit-and-run incident following a performance at Chicago's Empty Bottle. The band held benefit concerts in his memory and completed the album using Saathoff’s recorded bass parts. Released through Flameshovel Records in 2004, this album solidified their standing within the indie pop scene. Their sophomore release, This Harness Can't Ride Anything, came out on October 10, 2006, under the Seattle-based indie label Suicide Squeeze Records.
In 2007, Chin Up Chin Up actively supported This Harness Can't Ride Anything with extensive tours across North America and Europe. After concluding a final U.S. tour late that year, they entered a hiatus period. Although they refuted breakup rumors in mid-2008, the band officially announced their dissolution in March 2009. Frontman Jeremy Bolen explained that the decision reflected a natural conclusion to their collaborative journey.
Following the split, Bolen, Burg, and Sharp formed the group Vacations, while Dye became involved with Speck Mountain and The Sweeps.
In May 2024, the band revealed plans to reunite for Wicker Park Fest in Chicago on July 26, commemorating the 20th anniversary of We Should Have Never Lived Like We Were Skyscrapers and paying tribute to Saathoff’s legacy. A subsequent performance took place on July 27 at the Burlington Bar. These appearances marked their first live shows in over fifteen years, with no announcements regarding additional reunion activities.
Discography
- Chin Up Chin Up – (initial release May 15, 2002; reissued with bonus content July 26, 2005)
- We Should Have Never Lived Like We Were Skyscrapers – (October 13, 2004)
- This Harness Can't Ride Anything – (October 10, 2006)