| Army of Freshmen | |
|---|---|
| Origin | Ventura, California, U.S. |
| Genres | Rock Power pop Pop punk |
| Years active | 1997–present |
| Labels | U.S.: Blue Hand Records 33rd Street Records Japan: The Sonic Label JVC Entertainment Nutcase Entertainment UK: Brand New Hero Records |
| Website | Armyoffreshmen.com |
| Members | |
| Chris Jay Aaron Goldberg Owen Bucey Dan Clark Kai Dodson Mike Milligan |
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Army of Freshmen is an independent 6 piece rock band based out of Ventura, California that has played over 1,000 shows in 43 states and 11 countries.
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Following his graduation from Lower Cape May Regional High School in Cape May, New Jersey, Chris Jay left his native New Jersey for California in 1997 with the goal of starting a band. Jay soon befriended and started the band with Owen Bucey, Dan Clark, Aaron Goldberg, Jon Blackburn and One' Nielsen and Mike Rini at the Teltron Internet Cafe, a local coffeehouse where Jay was performing his original songs (he had written over 500 before the band even formed).[1]
Within months, Army of Freshmen made a name for themselves by garnering a strong local following in Ventura County, California. For the band's first 2 years of existence, Jay played guitar and Aaron Goldberg and Dan Clark were the band's horn section, but as their eclectic sound took on a pop rock quality, Goldberg took over on guitar and Clark added an additional keyboard to the band. In addition, Mike Rini took over for Jon Blackburn on drums. With no label, agent or management the band took their act on the road, booking their own tours.
In 2001, the band signed with a local label, Blue Hand Records, and released their self-titled debut which was produced by Jay Ferguson, a member of the popular 60's rock band Spirit.[2]
They toured that summer in support of the album on the Moto Music Madness Tour which found AOF playing on the Ernie Ball Mobile stage during the intermission of a freestyle motocross event. The tour played over 50 dates across the USA.
At the beginning of 2003, Nielsen left the band on good terms to pursue another career and was replaced by Kai Dodson, another Ventura County musician who was a long time friend of the band, and whose previous band, 19th Hole, had performed with Army of Freshmen in the past. Around the same time, the album was discovered by the Sonic Label, a record label in Japan, which led to Army of Freshmen being invited to play Summersonic, one of Japan's largest music festivals, in 2003.
In the fall of 2003, the band would first tour with Bowling For Soup. This led to a close friendship between both bands resulting in the creation of the Get Happy Tour in 2006.
The band entered the studio to record their second album, Beg, Borrow, Steal in late 2003. It was produced by Angus Cooke and was released on the label 33rd Street Records, which was owned by the now-defunct music store chain Tower Records. The album featured the single "Get Um Up," which was added to over 20 alternative radio stations and spent 5 weeks in the top 20 on the U.S. Alternative radio specialty charts before the label, along with Tower Records, went out of business.[3]
Following the release of Beg, Borrow, Steal in 2004, the band returned to Japan supporting The Living End, along with a co-headlining show with Sugarcult and Bowling For Soup in Sapporo, Japan where the band's record went to the top 10 in that city.
Returning from Japan, the band embarked on the entire Warped Tour in 2004. During the tour's stop in Toronto, Canada, drummer Mike Rini was asked to leave the band. Mike Milligan, a Chicago-based drummer who had played with AOF on several shows with his previous band, Short Arm Trick, relocated to Ventura and officially replaced Rini in December 2004.
Shortly after the Warped Tour, the band toured the United Kingdom for the first time with The Littlest Man Band and Suburban Legends.
Immediately after returning to the United States, the band finished their busiest year yet touring the country again with Lucky Boys Confusion.
In 2005 the band did a headlining summer tour still in support of Beg, Borrow, Steal and returned to the United Kingdom that fall for a sold out tour opening for Bowling For Soup. In support of the tour, they released an exclusive UK only EP, At the End Of the Day, which was recorded in Texas and produced by Jaret Reddick of Bowling For Soup.[4]
In 2006, the band released their third album, Under the Radar, which was produced by Jay Ruston and recorded in Los Angeles, CA. Originally set to be released by an upstart independent record label, American Blood, the label folded prior to the album's release and gave Army of Freshmen full rights to the record, which they released independently.
That spring, the band returned to Japan for the third time on the Nutcase Entertainment Tour which was the band's new Japanese label after Sonic Label folded.
In the summer of 2006, Army of Freshmen and Bowling For Soup created and appeared on the first Get Happy Tour, a package tour that covered the United States and featured fan interaction events and a family friendly show.
The Get Happy Tour then went to the United Kingdom in February 2007 where it sold out in advance. Army of Freshmen's energetic live show received glowing praise from such music publications as Kerrang Magazine. At the Birmingham date of the Get Happy Tour, organizers of the Download Festival caught the band's set, and a week later, Army of Freshmen was invited to appear at the 2007 Download Festival in England held in June.
In preparation for their debut United Kingdom festival appearance, Army of Freshmen co-headlined the Good to Go Tour in May in the United Kingdom with Wheatus and MC Lars. They also visited mainland Europe for the first time (Belgium, Germany and the Netherlands), then returned to the United Kingdom with Reel Big Fish in June prior to the 2007 Download Festival.
In the summer of 2007, the band embarked on the second year of the Get Happy Tour. Then, in October, the Get Happy Tour went to mainland Europe for shows in France, the Netherlands and Germany. Immediately thereafter, the tour continued on to United Kingdom which saw Army of Freshmen playing to some of the largest crowds of their career.
In April 2008, Army of Freshmen announced that recording was complete on their fourth album, Above the Atmosphere. The 10 song record was recorded in Los Angeles during February and March 2008 and was produced by Jay Ruston. The band’s website and YouTube channel posted several photo and video blogs during the recording process. During that time Army of Freshmen also appeared at the South by Southwest Festival in Austin, Texas for a Get Happy Tour showcase that included Bowling For Soup, Presidents of the United States of America, Wheatus and Ludo.
Above The Atmosphere was self-released in June and is currently available on all digital retail stores, at all AOF live shows and on the band’s website. The band also embarked on their first headlining tour of the United Kingdom in June, as well as making a return appearance at the 2008 Download Festival where the band once again drew positive reviews and a large crowd.
Immediately after the UK tour in July 2008 the band went on a short 3 week headline tour in the United States that included a benefit show at Chris Jay’s high school in Cape May, New Jersey.
The video for the record’s single, “No One’s Famous” was released in the fall of 2008 and was a hit in the United Kingdom where it went to number 3 on Scuzz TV’s top 10 video show. It also reached number 7 on Kerrang TV’s top 20 video show.
The band then returned in November for another headline tour to support the new record and single.
In May 2009, the band toured China for the first time where they played to the biggest crowds of their career appearing at the Midi Festival and Zebra Festival where they were the only artist from the USA to perform. Their headlining set received rave reviews in the Chinese music press.
With no announcements, except for some teaser photos on the band’s website, they released, the Close Encounter EP on June 1, 2010. The EP was available for download for a pay-what-you-like model. The band returned to the United Kingdom for a short headline tour and an appearance at The Sonisphere Festival at Knebworth, England. It was the band’s 8th trip to the United Kingdom and once again their set received four stars from Kerrang Magazine and was hailed as one of the largest crowds of the day on their stage.
Most recently the band announced they would be returning to mainland Europe in April 2011 to perform at 20th Anniversary of Belgium’s Groezrock Festival as well as an appearance at France’s Artefacts Festival. Additional headline shows are expected to be announced as well. Five additional dates around the UK were announced by the band on the 18th January, between the 16th and 20 April. These dates will be in Folkestone, Southampton, Leeds, Manchester and London.
In Army of Freshmen’s career they have toured with or opened for the following notable bands: AFI, Allister, Alkaline Trio, American Hi-Fi, The Ataris, The Aquabats, Billy Talent, Bloodhound Gang, Bowling For Soup, The Buzzcocks, Cherry Poppin' Daddies, Dogstar featuring Keanu Reeves, Fall Out Boy, Fenix TX, Fountains of Wayne, Good Charlotte, Halifax, Hellogoodbye, Home Grown, The Impossibles, Kottonmouth Kings, Lagwagon, John Linnell (of They Might Be Giants), The Living End, Lucky Boys Confusion, Ludo, The Matches, MC Lars, Melee, Mest, Midtown, MxPx, Nerf Herder, Ozma, Plain White Ts, The Presidents of the United States of America, Pulley, Punchline, Reel Big Fish, River City High, Rocket Summer, Royal Crown Revue, Rufio, Say Anything, The Stereo, Something Corporate, Son Of Dork, The Specials, The Starting Line, Sugarcult, Sum 41, Ultimate Fakebook, The Untouchables, Wheatus, Yellowcard, and Zebrahead.
Army of Freshmen have had several guest appearances from other artists on their records:
Army of Freshmen was name checked in the song "We Could've Had It All" by the singer songwriter, Phil Cody on his Big Slow Mover record. Cody was major influence on Chris Jay's songwriting, having first seen Cody opening for Warren Zevon when Jay was still in high school. Jay and Cody have become close friends and Jay on guitar with Aaron Goldberg on drums backed Cody on several dates of his 2010 east coast tour.
Army of Freshmen’s song “Road Less Traveled” was quoted in the book High School Confidential written by Jeremy Iversen and published by Atria Books in 2006. Chris Jay and the band are also mentioned in the Thank You section.
Chris Jay, Aaron Goldberg and Kai Dodson appear as partygoers at the Playboy Mansion at the beginning of the horror movie, The Telling.
Army of Freshmen wrote and performed the theme song for the comedy film, How Beer Pong Saved My Life. Chris Jay and Kai Dodson appear in the film as well. It’s scheduled for a 2011 DVD release.
Army of Freshmen wrote and performed the theme song for the children’s film, Adventures of a Teenage Dragon Slayer. The song is featured throughout the film as well as the song “10,000 Years.” The film is scheduled for release on DVD in March 2011.
An instrumental cover of the song “You Are So Beautiful” appears in the film, “You and I” which is set for a 2011 release.
Their song, “No One’s Famous” appears in the film, “Son of Mourning” which is set for a 2011 release.
Army of Freshmen wrote and performed the theme song to the upcoming kid’s cartoon show, Gorillaville.
The band has a cameo in Bowling For Soup's video, "High School Never Ends" The video treatment/concept was written by Chris Jay.
Army of Freshmen appear and perform on Bowling For Soup’s live concert DVD, Live and Very Attractive, filmed during the Get Happy Tour’s 2007 date at the sold out Apollo Theater in Manchester, England. During the song, “Ohio,” Bowling For Soup hands over their instruments to Army of Freshmen who finish the song. Members of Army of Freshmen are also seen in some of the behind the scenes footage.
Members of Army of Freshmen are seen briefly in behind the scenes footage of The Living End’s DVD, From Here On In, during the sequences filmed in Japan.
Owen Bucey, Aaron Goldberg and Kai Dodson formed and are members of the band, The Calamity. They released their debut record, Songs From The Gold Coast, on Missing Words Records in 2009. In the Calamity, Goldberg plays drums while Dodson plays guitar and Bucey is the lead singer. The Calamity plays regularly in the Ventura area.
Aaron Goldberg and Chris Jay have teamed together to produce, co write with and record several artists in different genres. Credits include artists like Delaney Gibson, Exit 4, New Liberty, Lost, Michelle Dawn Mooney, Sarah Ashleigh, Kevin Conaway, Sean Deleon, Orlando Napier, Danielle Taylor and Tom O'Connor. Bucey, Dodson, Milligan and Clark have all performed on several of the releases produced by Goldberg and Jay.
Aaron Goldberg has also produced the bands, Dirty Words, Ten Four And Out, Redemtion, Loser Token, AMFX, Sunset on Suburbia and Allbright. Chris Jay provided guest vocals on the Ten Four And Out song, “One of the Crowd”.
Mike Milligan produced the debut record, All We’ve Got Is This, of the Chicago band, Plunket. Chris Jay provided guest vocals on record’s single, “Baby Steps”.
Chris Jay co wrote songs with the soul and R&B band, Jeff Hershey and the Heartbeats. Their debut record scheduled for a 2011 release.
Chris Jay and Aaron Goldberg created the animated, adult comedy, cartoon show, The Spank Finatra Show. Songs from the show, as well as the animatic pilot episode, are available online.
Chris Jay wrote a weekly music column for the VC Reporter, a weekly newspaper in Ventura County, California, from 1999 to 2001. He still contributes frequently to the paper and has interviewed hundreds of artists.[5] In 2003 he was sued for 10 million dollars by Mike Love of the Beach Boys over an article he wrote on Love and the current line up of the Beach Boys. The case never went to trial and was settled out of court, but all the members of Army of Freshmen had to give depositions during the discovery period of the case. Jay is reluctant to speak of the matter, and most Army of Freshmen fans and Beach Boy fans are unaware that the lawsuit ever existed.[6]
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