After the 1996 breakup of Chicago ska-punk legends
Slapstick, Brendan Kelly (bass, vocals) and Dan Hanaway (trumpet, guitar, vocals) got together with ex-Tricky Dick guitarist Chris McCaughan (guitar, vocals) and Rob DePaola (drums) to form
the Broadways. With the inspiration of politically charged lyrics over a background of pop-punk, comparisons to
Fifteen,
Crimpshrine, and
Jawbreaker followed, as their own Bicycle Records released the band's 1997 debut EP, We All Know That You Can Do It. Following a signing with Asian Man Records, their second EP (Big City) and first album (
Broken Star) were released, before
the Broadways broke up in 1998. The next year, Asian Man Records released the collection album
Broken Van; meanwhile, McCaughan and Kelly moved on to start
the Lawrence Arms and Hanaway and DePaola formed
the Honor System. ~ Mike DaRonco