Jawbreaker - Fireman

What this video is

The 'Fireman' video was produced at a pivotal and turbulent moment in Jawbreaker's history: their signing to Geffen/DGC Records and the recording of Dear You (1995) alienated a large portion of their devoted underground fanbase, who viewed the major-label move as a betrayal of punk ethics. The video — shot at the Fox Oakland Theatre and directed by Mark Kohr, the same director behind Green Day's breakthrough videos…

Why it matters

Represents a critically underexamined node in mid-90s emo and post-hardcore history: the major-label crossover moment that simultaneously expanded Jawbreaker's reach and fractured their cultural capital. Alongside Green Day's Dookie-era videos, this clip is a primary document of the Bay Area punk…

The director

American music video director and cinematographer based in San Francisco. Founded production company Fire Ball Films. Worked as a lighting camera assistant on The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993). Best known as Green Day's primary video director throughout…