Army of Freshmen
Army of Freshmen (German army for beginners ) is a pop punk band from Ventura, California. It has six members and had over 1000 performances in 10 countries worldwide. Together with Bowling for Soup, they founded the annual Get Happy Tour.
- 2.1 Studio albums
- 2.2 EPs
Band History
Band's inception and beginnings
Chris Jay left in 1997 after the completion of the school his home state of New Jersey and went to California with the aim to form a band. There he became friends with keyboardist Owen Bucey, trombonist Dan Clark, trumpeter Aaron Goldberg, drummer and bassist Mike Rini One Nielsen. The group has performed with Jay -penned songs in Teltron Internet Cafe.
Within a few months, Army of Freshmen made in Ventura County a name and enjoyed a growing fan base. During the first two years after the founding guitar and Jay Goldberg played and Clark worked as a blaster. As her sound oriented more and more towards pop rock, Goldberg switched to guitar and Clark was additional keyboardist of the band. Without a contract with a record label to have, they organized their own tours.
Recording contract and first publication
In 2001 the band signed a recording contract with Blue Hand Records, a small label based in Ventura. The published self-titled debut album was produced by Jay Ferguson, a member of the 60s rock band Spirit.
In the summer of 2001, Army of Freshmen participated in the Moto Madness Music Tour, which included more than 50 appearances in the United States, in part.
In early 2003 Nielsen left the band because he married and start work in the real estate industry wanted. He was replaced by Kai Dodson, a longtime friend of the band and a former member of the 19th Hole. At this time, the debut album of Sonic label, a Japanese record company, discovers, and Army of Freshmen was invited to play at the Super Sonic, one of the largest music festivals in Japan. In autumn, the band toured for the first time along with Bowling for Soup, which developed a close friendship between the two bands. This led to the establishment of the Get Happy Tour in 2006 result.
Second album and many performances
The end of 2003 began recording for the second album entitled Beg, Borrow, Steal. It was produced by Angus Cooke and was the record label 33rd Street Records, which belonged to the defunct music store chain Tower Records, issued. The single To Get Up has been played by over 20 alternative radio stations and spent five weeks in the top 20 of the U.S. alternative radio charts specialty.
In 2004, the band returned to Japen back to along with The Living End, Bowling for Soup and Sugarcult occur. In Sapporo managed the second album by Army of Freshmen in the Top 10
After returning from Japan, the band participated in the Warped Tour 2004 part. When tour stay in Toronto (Canada) Mike Rini was asked to leave the band. Mike Milligan, who had already played of on some shows with his former band Short Arm Trick, was formalized in December 2004 the new drummer of Army of Freshmen. Shortly after the Warped Tour, the band toured with The Littlest Man Band and Suburban Legends by the United Kingdom. Back in the United States ended the band released their most active year with a tour together with Lucky Boys Confusion.
In 2005, the band toured to increase awareness and sales success of their second album on. They returned to England, where they played on the opening concert of Bowling for Soup tour. In support of the tour, they released the EP in the UK Presented At The End Of the Day, which is incorporated in Texas and produced by Jaret Reddick, the lead singer of Bowling for Soup.
Third album and Get Happy Tour
The third album by Army of Freshmen, entitled Under the Radar was released in 2006. Was recorded in Los Angeles and produced by Jay Ruston. Originally, the album by American Blood, a small independent label, are issued, but this got out and left the band all rights. The album was finally released by the band themselves. In the spring of that year, the band returned to Japan and participated for the third time at the Nutcase Entertainment tour part. Its organizer was the new label of the band in Japan, after Sonic label had withdrawn.
In summer, 2006, and Army of Freshmen and Bowling for Soup played on the first Get Happy Tour, which consisted of Faninteraktion and a family-friendly show. In February 2007, the Get Happy Tour came to the UK, where it was sold out before the start. The energetic live show by Army of Freshmen was well received by music magazines such as Kerrang. When appearance in Birmingham, the organizers were mindful of the Download Festival on the band and a week later Army of Freshmen was invited to the Download Festival in June 2007.
In May 2007, the band played in preparation for their first festival appearance in the UK on the Good to Go Tour together with Wheatus and MC Lars. Army of Freshmen first visited continental Europe (Belgium, Germany and the Netherlands) and returned with Reel Big Fish in June before downloading Festival returns to England.
In the second edition of the Get Happy Tour in the summer of 2007, in addition to Army of Freshmen also played Bowling for Soup, Quietdrive and Mêlée. In October, the tour came to France, the Netherlands and Germany. Immediately after the tour was in the UK on where Army of Freshmen played with Bowling For Soup, Bloodhound Gang and Zebrahead in front of some of their biggest crowds ever.
Fourth album and recent developments
Army of Freshmen announced in April 2008 that the recording of the fourth studio album titled Above the Atmosphere were done. The ten tracks full album was recorded in February and March of that year in Los Angeles and produced by Jay Ruston turn of. During the recording of several photos were posted on blogs and videos on YouTube of the band. During this time the band has performed in combination with Bowling for Soup, The Presidents of the United States of America, Wheatus and Ludo and the Southwest Festival in Austin (Texas ). Above the Atmosphere was released in June by the band itself. This month, Army of touring Frehsmen this time in the UK alone, to make the fans on the new album carefully. She also appeared again as one of the few non - metal bands on the Download Festival. In Kerrang Magazine, the band received four Ks, the second highest possible rating. Then the band for three weeks in the U.S. touring, including a benefit concert to Chris ' high school.
In September appeared on YouTube, the first video for the song No One 's Famous from the new album.
Discography
Studio albums
- 2001: Army of Freshmen
- 2004: Beg, Borrow, Steal
- 2006: Under the Radar
- 2008: Above the Atmosphere
- 2012: Happy To Be Alive
EPs
- 2005: At the End Of the Day ( released only in the UK )