The Return of Jason & The Argonauts

Once again, Jason Kohner has resurrected his old Columbia, MO, garage-rock band The Argonauts. I say “once again” because I believe he attempted to do this a year or so ago but then nothing ever really materialized from it. Nonetheless, it appears they are indeed “back from the grave” and will be playing their first show in twelve years(!) with TIRC favorites The Nevermores at the Ten Mile House (9420 Gravois in Affton) on Saturday, February 7. This band dates back quite a long time. In fact, they predate such long-time St. Louis rockers, The Cripplers (and include two members of that band). Here’s a bio from the band’s Myspace page:

The Argonauts are a 60’s style garage punk band in St. Louis, Missouri. Although all members are from St. Louis, the band originally formed in Columbia, Missouri back in the mid 90’s. The Argonauts consist of Jason Kohner (lead vocals, guitar), Nate Reeves (lead guitar), Tim Hopmeier (bass, vocals), and Dave Devine (drums). Kohner and Reeves, fresh out of The Fabulous Hustlers (a garage combo including Steve Mace and Steve Rager of The Untamed Youth), were old friends with Hopmeier (then with The Neanderthals) and hooked up with Devine (formerly with Erector Set). The rest is history. Opening for acts such as Southern Culture On The Skids and Rocket From The Crypt, The Argonauts quickly became one of Columbia’s most popular garage bands of the 1990s. For a brief stint Dave Devine left the group and was replaced by Chris Raymond on drums before they finally disbanded. Devine and Hopmeier would go on to form The Cripplers, which Raymond would later join on guitar. However, all the members eventually moved back to St. Louis and are now back together playing some ferocious garage rock and love songs for bastards. Maximum Garage R&R!!!

Jason & The Argonauts in the early days.

Listen to the blistering covers of some of your garage-rock favorites on their Myspace page. Trust me, you won’t want to miss this show.

Oh yeah, and John Ebert made a flyer, too. Pass it on…

Flyer by John Ebert.