Over the course of the past five years, the iconic “I Believe In Nashville” mural has been spotlighted in GQ Magazine, the Wall Street Journal, various TV shows, music videos, commercials and on the Instagram pages of thousands of tourists from around the world. Adrien, the artist responsible for the mural, created the design to showcase his love for the city and though it’s often been copied, he’s never officially granted permission for the image to be appropriated or altered in any way, shape or form.
But he’s making an exception for legendary punk band JAWBREAKER, who are coming to Nashville this weekend for the first time in 25 years. Adrien and his East Nashville-based company DCXV Industries are commemorating the event with a special limited edition “I Believe In Jawbreaker” poster.
On Saturday, November 11, Jawbreaker vocalist/guitarist Blake Schwarzenbach and drummer Adam Pfahler) will be appearing at the historic Franklin Theatre outside of Nashville for a screening of their new documentary, Don’t Break Down: A Film About Jawbreaker, to be followed by a band Q&A. (Tickets are available HERE). On Sunday, November 12, they’ll do an instore at Nashville’s premier indie record store, Grimey’s New + Preloved Music. The entire weekend is hosted by Nashville-based Folsom Records, the label headed up by Rich Egan, co-founder of seminal punk label Vagrant Records.
Egan, who manages Adrien and has close ties to Jawbreaker, connected the two. Upon speaking, the band and artist realized they shared similar stances on art, commerce and among other things, gun control, and decided that all proceeds from the posters’ sales will be donated to Everytown For Gun Safety (https://everytown.org/).
A total of five “I Believe in Jawbreaker” posters—signed by the band and Adrien—will be available via online auction beginning TODAY at 3PM CST by clicking HERE. Two additional signed posters will be auctioned off in-person during Sunday’s instore at Grimey’s New + Preloved Music at 1604 8th Ave S.
“I listen to Jawbreaker every day and if it weren’t for them, I’d still be waiting tables,” says Egan. “Their music, ethics and uncompromising vision inspired me at age 18 to get off my ass, save up $600, and try to make a difference through punk rock. Here we are 30 years later and Adrien’s incredible art and his belief in its power to change lives has the same effect on me.
To have even a small role in bringing them together is surreal.”
Don’t Break Down: A Film About Jawbreaker traces the history of Jawbreaker, who broke up in 1996 following the release of their polarizing 1995 major label debut, Dear You. The feature-length documentary captures a weekend in 2007, when the trio reconnected at their old recording studio for an awkward, emotional reunion. Their time spent reminiscing, jamming and coming to terms was captured by director/producers Tim Irwin and Keith Schieron. The film, which was co-produced by The Promise Ring’s Dan Didier, also features interviews with Billie Joe Armstrong, Steve Albini, Jessica Hopper, Graham Elliot, Chris Shiflett, Rich Egan and more. In the works for over a decade, Don’t Break Down recently premiered to critical acclaim in Chicago ahead of the band’s triumphant headlining set at this year’s Riotfest, their first show in 21 years.
