Rogers left to be replaced by Thad Spencer and the band worked for the next years on demo tapes in search of a major label recording contract. Their music at the time, mostly written by Olson, showed a strong roots/country-rock influence.
Their first album The Jayhawks was released by Bunkhouse Records, a small independent label, in 1986. The band formed in 1985 in Minneapolis, Minnesota with Mark Olson (acoustic guitar and vocals), Gary Louris (electric guitar and vocals), Marc Perlman (bass) and Norm Rogers (drums). On hiatus from 2005 to 2009, the band has since reunited and released a new album, 'Mockingbird Time,' in September 2011.
They have released several studio albums, including five on the American Recordings label. Their country rock sound was influential on many bands who played the Twin Cities circuit during the 1980s and 1990s like Uncle Tupelo, The Gear Daddies and The Honeydogs. The Jayhawks are an American alternative country and rock band that emerged from the Twin Cities music scene during the mid 1980s.
