Album Notes

Featuring three members of various New York groups (700 miles (RCA) & Feed), Punch Havana initially formed in late 1997 for a Pow Wow Records compilation appearance (Chris Robertson, Tom Clapp and Justin Guip). The partnership worked well so they decided to continue writing and recording, as well as playing sporadic shows (including showcases at CMJ and the Digital Club Festival). With the addition of bassist Jesko Stahl (Pearls of Swine (BMG)), the band was complete. Within weeks, they had recorded two new songs and performed at the
Fall 1999 CMJ festival.

Based on their performance at the CMJ showcase, the band was invited to Berlin by producer Moses Schneider (Pixies, David Byrne) to record their first album. After eleven days in the studio, the band returned to the States to overdub, mix, and ultimately complete The Hansa Sessions (ep), released on the band's own imprint (Pearl Street Records).

In January 2001 Punch Havana returned to the studio once again to record their second ep, Airplanes & Rental Cars (Pearl Street Records). Originally scheduled for an April release, the date was changed to March after the band was invited to perform in the South by Southwest music festival in Austin, Texas.

After returning to NYC the band decided to pursue other projects. Tom Clapp went on to produce Elefant and the Fever; Justin Guip runs his own studio, Guip studios, in Clinton NY; Jesko Stahl plays bass, produces, and co-writes songs for the band Melodrome; and Chris Robertson released his solo debut, Here We Are (Ninefoot Records) in 2004.

The Airplanes and Rental Cars EP is a great example of what this band was capable of before it dissolved. Written and recorded in just three weeks, it captures a band filled with momentum and possibility. We hope you enjoy this limited edition EP.