Jasperwal

In the early part of 2001 the South Florida band, Jasperwal, was formed. The group would be part of the rising South Florida movement of emo & indie rock in the early 00's. Ricky Kendall (Vocals), John Robinson (Guitar), Matthew Short (Bass), Luke Bergamyer (Guitar), and James Dickens (Drums) were the founding members of the Port St. Lucie, Florida based band. Jasperwal recorded their ep "Music For Astronauts" at Backstage Recording Studios later that year and went on to spearhead the South Florida music scene while playing with groups such as Copeland, My Hotel Year, Showoff, and The Operation. After putting a large number of shows under their belt, Luke left the band and was replaced by Joshua Santmier on guitar. The group would go on to have tracks from their ep included on the compilations "Strength In Numbers - Unsigned Band Compilation Vol. #4" released by Velvet Blue Music and "Skain Gates Volume One" a South Florida compilation released by South FL promoter Stephen Fernez under his Skain Gates label. Summer of 2002 came and the band broke up due to members moving on to different cities, places in their lives, and pursue new music projects. Ricky moved to Gainesville, FL performing under Dayvis, joined folk rock group Jukebox Wagon, Paxico via Mexico and put out a number of solo records. While attending college in Orlando, John, Matt, and James, started the experimental indie outfit Winterhero with April Putnam as lead vocalist and played a few shows around Central Florida, including opening for Christian major label artist, Skillet. James later joined the Orlando based Alternative Rock band Plain Jane Automobile on the drums and eventually became full-time drummer for the famous New York/New Jersey based act, Ours. Matt played both bass and guitar in a number of projects including The Sweet Chariots (ex-Young and the Useless), and D_composure (ex-Mindlikewater/Story of Midnight) who later were joined by James and Josh. In 2012, James, Matt, and Josh formed an experimental project called Rival Science fronted by singer Dean Zongrone. In 2018 Matt helped form on lead guitar what was dubbed by a number of outlets "South Florida indie rock supergroup" The Darling Fire whom included members from Shai Hulud/Further Seems Forever, The Rocking Horse Winner, and As Friends Rust. Josh continues to write music under the name Ruin Bloom.