I’ve been putting off writing this next entry for the past two days, trying to decide what band should be the second band featured in this blog. I finally decided, that would be a band, also from Nashville, Tennessee and buddies with The Pink Spiders(see earlier post). This band is called, The Armed Forces (www.thepeopleschurchofthearmedforces.com) and they are a very well kept secret in the underground rock scene…a little bit TOO well kept a secret. I’m spilling the secret today, right now because an awesome band like them should be shared with the world.
The Armed Forces, or Armed Forces My Friends is not like every other band out there today. They are very quirky, i guess you could say, very random, would be the best word. The main brains behind this band is the frontman, Brandon Jazz, who tends to be the one behind the random band updates on the band’s twitter, MySpace, or Facebook pages.
The Armed Forces is a band that loves kittens, I remember my first time seeing this band at a house party in Chicago, the band’s touring van stuck out like a sore thumb when it was parked outside the destination of the party. It was a regular white church van that many bands get to tour in but it was the back of the van that caught my attention, in purple paint was written, “We break for Kittens!” something like that. You can’t help but laugh when you see that. It’s so unexpected and random. One of those, “OMG” moments that you can’t help but share with your friends next time you see them.
There are not many rock bands that will willingly associate with sweet, innocent little kittens. As most rock bands today would associate their name with something tougher like a cobra or a vulture or something. Which is what makes The Armed Forces’ having kittens as their band mascot so fun. Makes them stand out and makes you remember the name -a brilliant marketing tactic for a band trying to make a name of themselves in the digital age of music!
Nevermind that the name, the Armed Forces makes you think of the military base, which is another aspect of the band that stands out. Just like that one band, “Natalie Portman’s Shaved Head”, I personally haven’t heard more then a few seconds of that band’s music but the name stuck with me cause it’s so out there that it stays in your mind as a “HUH?” moment.
Ok, Time to get to the Armed Forces’ music:
According to their facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Armed-Forces/23655917948?v=wall&ref=sgm they describe their sound as “Gutter Pop”, they are mainly a powerpop/punk act with a hint of slight hip hop(according to their MySpace genre). Their songs are extremely catchy and they totally make you want to bust out on the dance floor or at least make you bob your head to the beat.
For those familiar with The Pink Spiders’ music, upon first listen to The Armed Forces’ you’d think that Matt Friction were behind the vocals. This thought gets later put to rest when you listen to the track, “Anarchy For Dummies” which features guest vocals from Matt Friction (he sings the “Jesus is the Answer” part).
Now if you aren’t a religious person, don’t fret that last lyric, The Armed Forces are not the Jehovah’s Witness’ of the rock scene, they won’t force anything down your throat except addictive-as-fuck lyrics and beats (not that your throat could mimic a catchy beat). oh, and how cool is it to hear a tambourine in their songs?! Don’t hear that very often, huh?
Now, Their debut album is called, “The Rest Is Noise” but before you go on Amazon or Itunes, it’s an entirely digital album that can be bought here: http://www.thearmedforces.bigcartel.com/ directly from the band.
See, what they did to sell this album was offer up dropcards for anyone interested in buying the album. for just $10 to their paypal account they will send you a credit card sized card w/ the album art on one side and on the back there is a code that you use when you go to www.thepeopleschuchofthearmedforces.com each month(or whenever the band officially releases a new track from the album).
There is also a $15 Fan Club starter kit which, in addition to the dropcard, you will also get a poster, band buttons, stickers, and a T-Shirt(which may or may not make you stare at the shirt and scratch your head with a confused look upon your face).
Currently there are FIVE tracks that have been released since the “album” came out in July 2009, they are:
Savages(Back Out On The Streets)
Anarchy For Dummies -with guest vocals by Matt Friction of The Pink Spiders
Love Exploder
Republican Girlz
Never Get Caught
Now here is the part where I would tell you all my favorite track but honestly, I can’t pick anymore, Since I jumped onto the dropcard bandwagon, each month one of these songs was up for grabs, I have had my favorite song change. Currently my favorite would have to be Never Get Caught but then again, the other 4 are just as amazing.
I have no doubt in my mind whenever this band will finally release the next song off The Rest is Noise, I know the next song will surely blow the previous 5 tracks out of the water with awe! With The Armed Forces, i can safely say that each song they put out has been better then the last.
Honestly I can sit here and describe the song’s awesomeness to you but that would not do you justice so please go on over to the Armed Forces’ various social networking pages and give each song a listen:
www.myspace.com/thearmedforces
http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Armed-Forces/23655917948?v=info&ref=sgm
What I will tell you is how much the monthly dropcard deal is worth your $15 or $10 cause seriously, it renews your love for the band when you get to hear AND OWN a new track by the band each month. Personally, I think the dropcard idea should be adapted by all independent bands cause not only do the bands no longer have to be cooped up inside a studio for weeks on end to complete a whole album all at once, but the fans do not have to get shut out by the band during that recording process. Cause how many times have you been so bored w/ a particular band for months in a row while they were locked away recording without distractions?! Personally, i think The Armed Forces’ are brilliant for thinking up this “One Song a Month” idea for a flat rate at the beginning!
Oh yeah, to get a grasp of the random hilarity associated with this band, check out their youtube channel. There is some pretty crazy shit on there! http://www.youtube.com/user/thearmedforces
WATCH OUT PEOPLE, The Armed Forces are coming for you. Will you join their Army of Kittens?
