The seedy back alleys of mid-90s Coronado, California, were not the most likely place to find a bubbly pop-punk band like Carter Peace Mission. But the near-geographic center of that rough-and-tumble island town--mockingly called "the Crown Jewel of San Diego"--was exactly where this four-piece talent was born.
Between its formation in November 1994 and its disappearance in May 2000, the band's experience has been described by one member as "a single, epic, adrenaline-fueled ride" that witnessed "social retardation, rejection, procrastination, Nintendo, long walks, Yoo-Hoo, Soma Live, bar chords, Brian Bent, laundromats, Sadie Hawkins dances, Swindle, Chuck Taylors, high school graduations, and zenic spiritual awakening."
The ultimate verdict on Carter Peace Mission will be left to historians, who will revisit the now-ubiquitous mysteries surrounding the band: Why did they only play shows along San Diego County bus routes? Why did they disband? Who is Al Gruber? Why did they only receive Mutant Pop Records' attention after they had stopped playing? Where is Matty Jobless? How did they secure the rights from Fox for all those Simpsons clips?
Until the excavations of these mines of intrigue are complete, we must be content with what little Carter Peace Mission left behind, in terms of tangible media: approximately 500 demo cassette tapes (1995's "Al Gruber's Weapon of Choice"), 300 seven-inch vinyl records (1996's "My Son Is Also Named Spartacus") and 3,000 CDs (1996's "Disco Stu Likes Disco Music" and 1998's "Ladies, Ladies, Ladies"); several hundred silk-screened cotton t-shirts--many of them intentionally printed inside out; a half-dozen zine interviews and compilation appearances; and a variety of vinyl and home-made paper stickers.
you guys suck at playing more shows. this is bullshit. pretty sure it's time to drink 40oz's in the alley behind the furniture store next to soma before the show. where's the time machine these days?
You guys were by far one of the coolest if not the coolest punk band in SD in the 90's. Glad to see you here and i got my fingers crossed for a reunion. stay snazzy, tony
