In late 1995, Joe Sib after the breakup of his band Wax, decided to get together with longtime friend Steve Soto (former member of The Adolescents and Agent Orange) to write some material. They soon gathered Sandy Hansen (The Adolescents), Scott Shiflett (Face to Face), and Jason Cropper (Weezer) to form 22 Jacks. In February 1996, 22 Jacks went to The Sandbox studio in Los Angeles and recorded 12 songs which became the "Uncle Bob" record. With the three final additions to the band already having prior commitments, Sib and Soto went on a search for replacements to solidify the lineup. They found Kelly LeMieux (Fear), Jose Medeles (The Breeders, and Face to Face), and Bill Fraenza.
Before a fourth album could be recorded, 22 Jacks ended around 2001 as Sib left the band to concentrate on the future of SideOneDummy Records. Following the breakup, Soto went on to reform The Adolescents and Medeles also joined the reunion of The Breeders as their new drummer.
On December 13, 2007, Punkbands.com reported that 22 Jacks had reformed to play three shows in California in January 2008, making it their first performance together since breaking up in 2001. On one of the dates, they were supported by Social Distortion. It was also announced that there may be a follow-up to that tour. As of this moment, the band has not yet expressed plans for a new studio album.
On June 27, 2018, founding member Steve Soto died suddenly in his sleep at the age of 54 just days after finishing a tour with his band The Adolescents.[1]
