Thumbnail (Numero) relocated to Chicago in 1997 and when they ended in the late 90s Atombombpocketknife became the primary focus for Justin Sinkovich (guitarist/vocalist) who was joined by David Burns (Thumbnail, Chino Horde, Prayer Flags), and Allison Hollihan (currently in NYC band Blank Account) on bass. The trio blended the noise and angularity of their previous collaborations with a newfound attention to melody; raising comparisons to Sonic Youth, Sebadoh, and late-era Unwound. They were immediately signed by the London/Chicago label Southern Records and released their self-titled CD/EP (also released on 10-inch vinyl) in 1999 which they recorded with Greg Norman and Brian Deck at Clava.
When Burns moved to NYC for graduate school Matt Espy (Dead Rider) joined on drums for the band’s first full length album, Alpha Sounds (Southern, 2000). By 2001 Che Arthur (Pink Avalanche) had joined on second guitar and the band released their second record, God Save The ABPK (Southern, 2001). In 2004 Tony Lazzara (Milemarker, Sterling, Bloodiest) replaced Matt Espy on drums and the band recorded their third album, Lack And Pattern, on File 13 Records. This 2004 era lineup of Justin, Allison, Che, and Tony reunited for one week in 2011 to play a wedding at the Empty Bottle in Chicago and released a digital singles and rarities compilation later that year titled With Compliments (File 13, 2004).
Atombombpocketknife has remained silent since that reunion show almost 13 years ago. On the heels of Thumbnail and Chino Horde’s reissue campaigns through Numero Group, and an album from The Poison Arrows in 2023, Atombombpocketknife is excited to revisit their adventures with the help of Solid Brass Records.
