The punk world is mourning the loss of Jean Paul Toulan, who first got his start as the frontman for pre-teen punks Old Skull. According to Punknews.org, Scott Sturgeon of Star F---ing Hipsters -- a band that once included J.P.'s brother Jamie -- confirmed the news of Toulan's passing. The cause of his Nov. 13 death is still unknown.
Born in 1980, J.P. formed Old Skull with his younger brother Jamie and a friend, Jesse Collins-Davis, in Madison, Wis., in 1989. The band was quickly signed to Restless Records and released its album, 'Get Outta School,' which became a college radio favorite.
Produced by the Toulans' father Vern, 'Get Outta School' dealt with topics like AIDS, homelessness, hot dogs and skateboarding. Old Skull supported its Restless label mates the Flaming Lips, plus the likes of Sonic Youth and Gwar, soon earning the attention of MTV News, syndicated news show 'A Current Affair' and Newsweek.
A second album, 'CIA Drug Fest', followed in 1992 with an expanded lineup. After a tour of Japan, the band broke up, reuniting in 2005 for a CBGB's gig opening for the Exploited. In the spring of 2010, J.P. Toulon was back in Madison, where he served jail time before entering a drug rehab facility where he evidently beat his addiction.
Despite Old Skull's early acclaim, Toulon saw his share of tragedy. After his parents divorced in the early 1990s, his mother died in a train accident. His father subsequently died in May 2001.
Watch Old Skull's 'Homeless' Video
