Must Build Jacuzzi

If you are interested in brass and guitars, this is the band for you! Let me introduce you to a LEGENDARY band in the Midwestern DIY music scene. 

Must Build Jacuzzi was founded in the Peoria area, though they are more spread out these days, and are a ska/punk band. The band consists of Caleb on vocals and guitar, Bill on vocals and bass, Austin on drums, Keaton on saxophone, Josh on trumpet, and Ben on trombone. Must Build Jacuzzi doesn't play as many shows as they used to, but they are still beloved and have a great number of people ready to see them when a show is announced (including me). They are so fun to experience live and have an amazing stage presence. Must Build Jacuzzi always gets the crowd to stir, as there is typically moshing and skanking, along with the band themselves jump around on stage. 

Must Build Jacuzzi has an album, which was released in 2018, titled Last Place, and it has my two personal favorite songs on it: "February Heat Wave" and "Shot Through the Window." Their first release, though, was an EP titled Chugz & Nugz that came out in 2016. This EP has their most iconic song on it, "Hey You, Skank!" Must Build Jacuzzi's most recent release is their single "Egress" from 2022. 

When did Must Build Jacuzzi form?

In our most primordial state, we started out under a different name called For the Win back in 2008. At the time, it was only Bill in the band of our current members and Caleb and Josh joined soon after.

After finding out there was some Swedish metal band called For the Win, we had to change our name to something else. One night we were sitting in Bill's basement watching the Muppets From Space movie and there's a scene where Gonzo wakes up from a trance and utters the works "Must Build Jacuzzi". As soon as we heard that we were like yep, let's use that haha.

What inspires you most to make music?

I think honestly just writing the music that we ourselves want to hear. We never tried to fit into any specific niche or subgenre. We just make music that we would want to go hard to in the pit and hope others dig it as well!

How long have you been making/playing music?

Must Build Jacuzzi has technically been a band in some way shape or form since most of us were in highschool. It's crazy to think it's been that long it's been worth it every step of the way!

How would you describe the genre of music you make?

In a broad stroke, we're definitely a ska band at heart, but we never just wanted to make ska music. We draw so many influences like Metal, hardcore, pop punk, and emo into our songwriting that really creates our sound. We've been told we sound like the Chariot with a horn section and that's a pretty darn good compliment haha.

What was performing like when you first started verses now?

Looking back, we had no idea what the heck we were doing when we first started playing live. I can't recall how many times we played a show to almost nobody in the crowd. We even played the IVC talent show one year and made almost everyone leave haha. But we also had great shows during that time. I will say, it was a lot easier to play shows back then when we had no commitments. People would hit us up asking if we could play and we're just like sure. Now days because we're so spread apart, it sometimes feels like we need like a year in advance notice in order to play a show.

If you could play in any location, where?

I think one venue we always dreamt of playing is the legendary punk venue, 924 Gilman. So many iconic bands got their start there such as Green Day and Operation Ivy who were huge influences to us.

What is everyone’s favorite food?

Caleb: Sushi
Bill: Chili Dogs
Ben: PBR Beer *yes I know it's a drink but it's also food if you have enough of it*
Austin: Tacos
Keaton: Dino nuggies
Josh: Pizza

You can find them on Instagram here! This is the best platform to keep up to date on new releases and shows. Currently, they don't have any upcoming shows, but you can view a clip of them performing their song "Smoke Rings" at Pitch in Fest 4 in December 2023 below!