Tiger Army
Encyclopedia
Tiger Army is an American psychobilly
band that was formed in 1995 in Berkeley, California
. Its constant member and lead song writer is Nick 13
. The band have released a total of four studio albums.
venue in Berkeley
, California, on March 29, 1996.
The band's first official release was a self-titled vinyl record EP
, now referred to as the Temptation EP. The record was released by Chapter 11 Records. This EP caught the attention of Tim Armstrong
, co-owner of Hellcat Records
, who signed the band.
Tiger Army recorded their first full-length, the self-titled Tiger Army
, in January 1999. It was released that October. Stand-up bassist Joel Day left Tiger Army before the band was signed, so the Quakes
stand-up bassist Rob Peltier was hired to play on the album.
During the ensuing California mini-tour promoting the album, Nick 13
asked Geoff Kresge
, one of his former bandmates from Influence 13, to join Tiger Army. Kresge accepted and joined as a permanent member a few months later. The band was asked to play on the Danzig
and Samhain
tour in 2000, where they befriended Samhain drummer London May
. He joined the band when Adam Carson
left.
The band recorded a second album, Tiger Army II: Power of Moonlite
in 2001. London May left shortly after the recording. He was replaced by Fred Hell. In March, 2003, Fred Hell was shot four times, including once in the head, by armed robbers who broke into his friend's apartment in Chino, California
. A bullet became lodged in his brain, making it necessary for him to go through physical therapy before he could play drums again. At the time, the band was in the process of recording the album Tiger Army III: Ghost Tigers Rise
. At first, the record was repeatedly delayed to make time for him to recover enough to perform, but his injuries proved serious enough for the band to hire a studio drummer, Mike Fasano
, to play on the album. Hell attempted to play on the tour supporting the album's release, but he was again forced to stay and recover while Fasano joined the band on the road. The band joined the Vans Warped Tour in the summer of 2004.
Later in 2004, Nick 13 announced a new line-up for Tiger Army, featuring drummer 'Wasted' James Meza (formerly of the Rezurex) and stand-up bassist Jeff Roffredo (formerly of Cosmic Voodoo, Calavera, and the Rezurex). This lineup of the band supported Social Distortion
on an extensive US tour. They also hit the road with AFI
and Morrissey
and performed several headlining tours around the world. In spring, 2005, the band headlined a string of five sold out shows at the Hollywood House Of Blues. The following year, the band sold out four nights at the Anaheim House Of Blues. Tiger Army made major festival appearances across the US and Europe and recorded their fourth album, titled Music from Regions Beyond
. The album was released on June 5, 2007 and was produced by Jerry Finn
.
Geoff Kresge returned to Tiger Army in early 2008 and joined Nick 13 and James Meza on tours of the U.S., Canada, Australia, Japan and Europe. The band launched a multi-night event, Octoberflame, in Southern California in 2008, concluding two years of touring behind Music From Regions Beyond.
Around that time, Nick announced that he would devote time to a solo project (though Tiger Army did not break up), debuting some solo material at Tiger Army's Octoberflame II in 2009. The group did not appear live again until Octoberflame III in 2010, selling out two nights at the Grove of Anaheim.
Former
Session
Psychobilly
Psychobilly is a fusion genre of rock music that mixes elements of punk rock, rockabilly, and other genres. It is one of several subgenres of rockabilly which also include thrashabilly, trashabilly, punkabilly, surfabilly and gothabilly...
band that was formed in 1995 in Berkeley, California
Berkeley, California
Berkeley is a city on the east shore of the San Francisco Bay in Northern California, United States. Its neighbors to the south are the cities of Oakland and Emeryville. To the north is the city of Albany and the unincorporated community of Kensington...
. Its constant member and lead song writer is Nick 13
Nick 13
Nick 13 is the guitarist, vocalist, and main songwriter of psychobilly band Tiger Army as well as a solo artist in the Americana/Country genre....
. The band have released a total of four studio albums.
History
Tiger Army played their first show at the famous 924 Gilman Street924 Gilman Street
924 Gilman Street is an all-ages, not for profit, collectively organized music club usually referred to by its fans simply as "The Gilman." It is located in the West Berkeley area of Berkeley, California about a mile and a half west of the North Berkeley BART station and a quarter-mile west of San...
venue in Berkeley
Berkeley, California
Berkeley is a city on the east shore of the San Francisco Bay in Northern California, United States. Its neighbors to the south are the cities of Oakland and Emeryville. To the north is the city of Albany and the unincorporated community of Kensington...
, California, on March 29, 1996.
The band's first official release was a self-titled vinyl record EP
Extended play
An EP is a musical recording which contains more music than a single, but is too short to qualify as a full album or LP. The term EP originally referred only to specific types of vinyl records other than 78 rpm standard play records and LP records, but it is now applied to mid-length Compact...
, now referred to as the Temptation EP. The record was released by Chapter 11 Records. This EP caught the attention of Tim Armstrong
Tim Armstrong
Timothy Lockwood Armstrong is an American musician, songwriter, and record producer, best known for his work with punk rock bands Rancid, Operation Ivy, Downfall, and the Transplants. He is also the owner and operator of Hellcat Records.-Personal life:Armstrong was born November 25, 1965 and was...
, co-owner of Hellcat Records
Hellcat Records
Hellcat Records is an independent record label based in Los Angeles, California. The label, an off-shoot of Epitaph Records, was started as a partnership between Brett Gurewitz carp Bad Religion, the owner of Epitaph, and Tim Armstrong of Rancid, the latter of whom is generally responsible for...
, who signed the band.
Tiger Army recorded their first full-length, the self-titled Tiger Army
Tiger Army (album)
Tiger Army is the first full-length release by California psychobilly band Tiger Army, released on October 26, 1999. The band had previously recorded a vinyl EP in 1996, and came to the attention of Tim Armstrong, the owner of Hellcat Records. Armstrong contacted Tiger Army's lead singer, Nick 13,...
, in January 1999. It was released that October. Stand-up bassist Joel Day left Tiger Army before the band was signed, so the Quakes
The Quakes
The Quakes are a psychobilly band from Buffalo, NY. They were formed in 1986. They are considered very influential to the current American psychobilly scene, but in the late 80's, there was no scene to speak of in the United States...
stand-up bassist Rob Peltier was hired to play on the album.
During the ensuing California mini-tour promoting the album, Nick 13
Nick 13
Nick 13 is the guitarist, vocalist, and main songwriter of psychobilly band Tiger Army as well as a solo artist in the Americana/Country genre....
asked Geoff Kresge
Geoff Kresge
Geoff Kresge is a songwriter, guitarist, bassist, who played with AFI for most of their early career, from 1992 through 1997, and co-wrote the majority of their early material alongside frontman Davey Havok. During an AFI hiatus in 1993, he briefly moved to New York to join Blanks 77...
, one of his former bandmates from Influence 13, to join Tiger Army. Kresge accepted and joined as a permanent member a few months later. The band was asked to play on the Danzig
Danzig (band)
Danzig is an American heavy metal band, formed in 1987 in Lodi, New Jersey. The band serves as a musical outlet for the singer/songwriter Glenn Danzig. Danzig can be seen as the third stage in Glenn Danzig's musical career, preceded by the horror punk bands The Misfits and Samhain...
and Samhain
Samhain (band)
Samhain was an American rock band formed by singer Glenn Danzig in 1983, immediately following his departure from the Misfits. Samhain played in more of a deathrock and heavy metal-infused style of horror punk than Danzig's previous band. By 1987 Samhain's membership evolved into a new band,...
tour in 2000, where they befriended Samhain drummer London May
London May
London May , is a rock musician best known for playing drums in Glenn Danzig's post-Misfits/pre-Danzig punk/goth band Samhain, which he joined in the summer of 1985...
. He joined the band when Adam Carson
Adam Carson
Adam Alexander Carson is the drummer of the rock band AFI. He and Davey Havok are the two original members left in the lineup. Carson also filled in as drummer for the band Tiger Army. His drumming can be found on Tiger Army's Early Years EP as well as their debut album Tiger Army...
left.
The band recorded a second album, Tiger Army II: Power of Moonlite
Tiger Army II: Power of Moonlite
Tiger Army II: Power of Moonlite is Tiger Army's second album, released on July 24, 2001. It featured London May on drums, Geoff Kresge on stand up bass and Nick 13 on vocals and guitar. London May left the band before their next album, Tiger Army III: Ghost Tigers Rise...
in 2001. London May left shortly after the recording. He was replaced by Fred Hell. In March, 2003, Fred Hell was shot four times, including once in the head, by armed robbers who broke into his friend's apartment in Chino, California
Chino, California
Chino is a city in San Bernardino County, California, United States. It is located in the western end of the Riverside-San Bernardino Area and it is easily accessible via the Chino Valley and Pomona freeways....
. A bullet became lodged in his brain, making it necessary for him to go through physical therapy before he could play drums again. At the time, the band was in the process of recording the album Tiger Army III: Ghost Tigers Rise
Tiger Army III: Ghost Tigers Rise
Tiger Army III: Ghost Tigers Rise is Tiger Army's third full-length album. It was released by Hellcat Records on June 29, 2004. It takes the psychobilly of their first two efforts and layers it with elements of country, blues and punk to create a more mature and emotional sound than previous works...
. At first, the record was repeatedly delayed to make time for him to recover enough to perform, but his injuries proved serious enough for the band to hire a studio drummer, Mike Fasano
Mike Fasano
Mike "The Sack" Fasano is a drummer who has toured and recorded for several bands, including Warrant, former Eagles guitarist Don Felder, Tiger Army, Gilby Clarke, Shameless...
, to play on the album. Hell attempted to play on the tour supporting the album's release, but he was again forced to stay and recover while Fasano joined the band on the road. The band joined the Vans Warped Tour in the summer of 2004.
Later in 2004, Nick 13 announced a new line-up for Tiger Army, featuring drummer 'Wasted' James Meza (formerly of the Rezurex) and stand-up bassist Jeff Roffredo (formerly of Cosmic Voodoo, Calavera, and the Rezurex). This lineup of the band supported Social Distortion
Social Distortion
Social Distortion is an American punk rock band formed in 1978 in Fullerton, California. The band currently consists of Mike Ness , Jonny Wickersham , Brent Harding and David Hidalgo, Jr...
on an extensive US tour. They also hit the road with AFI
AFI
AFI, the three letter acronym, may refer to:*AFI , an American alternative rock band**AFI , an album by AFI released in 2004*Air Force Instruction, documented instructions for members of the United States Air Force...
and Morrissey
Morrissey
Steven Patrick Morrissey , known as Morrissey, is an English singer and lyricist. He rose to prominence in the 1980s as the lyricist and vocalist of the alternative rock band The Smiths. The band was highly successful in the United Kingdom but broke up in 1987, and Morrissey began a solo career,...
and performed several headlining tours around the world. In spring, 2005, the band headlined a string of five sold out shows at the Hollywood House Of Blues. The following year, the band sold out four nights at the Anaheim House Of Blues. Tiger Army made major festival appearances across the US and Europe and recorded their fourth album, titled Music from Regions Beyond
Music from Regions Beyond
Music from Regions Beyond is the fourth full-length Tiger Army album, released on June 5, 2007. The album was produced by Jerry Finn. Unlike their previous albums, it does not have a numeral in the title. The album title comes from a line spoken in the Disneyland ride The Haunted Mansion, in the...
. The album was released on June 5, 2007 and was produced by Jerry Finn
Jerry Finn
Jerry Finn was an American record producer. He was perhaps best known for his work with Blink-182, as well as Morrissey, AFI, Bad Religion, Alkaline Trio, MxPx, Rancid, Green Day, Sum 41 and The Offspring.-Death:...
.
Geoff Kresge returned to Tiger Army in early 2008 and joined Nick 13 and James Meza on tours of the U.S., Canada, Australia, Japan and Europe. The band launched a multi-night event, Octoberflame, in Southern California in 2008, concluding two years of touring behind Music From Regions Beyond.
Around that time, Nick announced that he would devote time to a solo project (though Tiger Army did not break up), debuting some solo material at Tiger Army's Octoberflame II in 2009. The group did not appear live again until Octoberflame III in 2010, selling out two nights at the Grove of Anaheim.
Band members
Current- Nick 13Nick 13Nick 13 is the guitarist, vocalist, and main songwriter of psychobilly band Tiger Army as well as a solo artist in the Americana/Country genre....
– lead vocals and guitars (since 1996) - Geoff KresgeGeoff KresgeGeoff Kresge is a songwriter, guitarist, bassist, who played with AFI for most of their early career, from 1992 through 1997, and co-wrote the majority of their early material alongside frontman Davey Havok. During an AFI hiatus in 1993, he briefly moved to New York to join Blanks 77...
– upright bass, backing vocals (1999–2004, since 2008) - James Meza – drums, percussion (since 2004)
Former
- Joel Day – upright bass (1996–1997)
- Adam CarsonAdam CarsonAdam Alexander Carson is the drummer of the rock band AFI. He and Davey Havok are the two original members left in the lineup. Carson also filled in as drummer for the band Tiger Army. His drumming can be found on Tiger Army's Early Years EP as well as their debut album Tiger Army...
– drums, percussion (1996–2000, one show in 2008) - London MayLondon MayLondon May , is a rock musician best known for playing drums in Glenn Danzig's post-Misfits/pre-Danzig punk/goth band Samhain, which he joined in the summer of 1985...
– drums, percussion (2000–2002) - Fred Hell – drums, percussion (2002–2004)
- Jeff Roffredo – upright bass (2004–2008)
Session
- Rob Peltier – upright bass (1999, Tiger ArmyTiger Army (album)Tiger Army is the first full-length release by California psychobilly band Tiger Army, released on October 26, 1999. The band had previously recorded a vinyl EP in 1996, and came to the attention of Tim Armstrong, the owner of Hellcat Records. Armstrong contacted Tiger Army's lead singer, Nick 13,...
) - Mike FasanoMike FasanoMike "The Sack" Fasano is a drummer who has toured and recorded for several bands, including Warrant, former Eagles guitarist Don Felder, Tiger Army, Gilby Clarke, Shameless...
– drums, percussion (2004, live and Tiger Army III: Ghost Tigers RiseTiger Army III: Ghost Tigers RiseTiger Army III: Ghost Tigers Rise is Tiger Army's third full-length album. It was released by Hellcat Records on June 29, 2004. It takes the psychobilly of their first two efforts and layers it with elements of country, blues and punk to create a more mature and emotional sound than previous works...
)
Studio albums
- 1999: Tiger ArmyTiger Army (album)Tiger Army is the first full-length release by California psychobilly band Tiger Army, released on October 26, 1999. The band had previously recorded a vinyl EP in 1996, and came to the attention of Tim Armstrong, the owner of Hellcat Records. Armstrong contacted Tiger Army's lead singer, Nick 13,...
- 2001: Tiger Army II: Power of MoonliteTiger Army II: Power of MoonliteTiger Army II: Power of Moonlite is Tiger Army's second album, released on July 24, 2001. It featured London May on drums, Geoff Kresge on stand up bass and Nick 13 on vocals and guitar. London May left the band before their next album, Tiger Army III: Ghost Tigers Rise...
- 2004: Tiger Army III: Ghost Tigers RiseTiger Army III: Ghost Tigers RiseTiger Army III: Ghost Tigers Rise is Tiger Army's third full-length album. It was released by Hellcat Records on June 29, 2004. It takes the psychobilly of their first two efforts and layers it with elements of country, blues and punk to create a more mature and emotional sound than previous works...
- #146 US - 2007: Music from Regions BeyondMusic from Regions BeyondMusic from Regions Beyond is the fourth full-length Tiger Army album, released on June 5, 2007. The album was produced by Jerry Finn. Unlike their previous albums, it does not have a numeral in the title. The album title comes from a line spoken in the Disneyland ride The Haunted Mansion, in the...
- #49 US
EPs
- 1997: Temptation EP
- 2002: Early Years EPEarly Years EPEarly Years EP is a re-released version of Tiger Army's vinyl Temptation EP with the added bonus of a few demo songs and cover songs.-Track listing:# "Temptation" – 2:10# "Jungle Cat" – 1:58# "Twenty Flight Rock" – 1:32...
- 2004: Ghost Tigers EP
Compilations
- 1997: Punk Fiction Wedge Records "F.T.W"
- 1999: Give 'Em the Boot IIGive 'Em the Boot IIGive 'Em the Boot II is the second compilation album in the Give 'Em the Boot series.This was the first entry to feature the standard boot design for the cover...
HellCat "Nocturnal" - 2002: Give 'Em the Boot IIIGive 'Em the Boot IIIGive 'Em the Boot III is the third compilation album in the Give 'Em the Boot series, released in 2002 .- Track listing :#"Sick of It All" - The Distillers#"The Legend of Finn MacCumhail" - Dropkick Murphys#"Die Alone" - U.S...
HellCat "Power of Moonlite" - 2003: Punk-O-Rama Vol. 8Punk-O-Rama Vol. 8Punk-O-Rama Vol. 8 is the eighth compilation album in the Punk-O-Rama series. It was released in 2003.This is the only entry in the series to be a two-disc by containing two CDs. The entries following this had two discs, but they were one CD and one DVD.The song "Quick Death" is on here in two...
Epitaph Records "Incorporeal" - 2004: Give 'Em the Boot IVGive 'Em the Boot IVGive 'Em the Boot IV is the fourth compilation album in the Give 'Em the Boot series, released in 2004 .- Track listing :#"Killing Zone" - Rancid#"Dirty Reggae" - The Aggrolites#"Atomic" - Tiger Army#"Propaganda" - The Slackers...
HellCat "Atomic" - 2004: Punk-O-Rama Vol. 9Punk-O-Rama Vol. 9Punk-O-Rama Vol. 9 is the ninth compilation album in the Punk-O-Rama series.This is the first of two entries to be released as a two-disc with a DVD. The DVD features current music videos by bands on the CD, with the exception of Randy and Converge who do not appear on the CD...
Epitaph Records "Temptation" - 2005: Punk-O-Rama Vol. 10Punk-O-Rama Vol. 10Punk-O-Rama Vol. 10 is the tenth and final compilation album in the Punk-O-Rama series. The following year saw the start of Epitaph Records' new compilation series, Unsound....
Epitaph Records "Ghostfire/Rose of the Devil's Garden video" - 2005: Give 'Em the Boot DVDGive 'Em the Boot DVDGive 'Em the Boot is the fifth release in the Give 'Em the Boot series. It was released in 2005 .-Track listing:#Give Em the Boot Intro#"Ruby Soho" - Rancid#"Never Die" - Tiger Army#"Light at the End" - F-Minus...
HellCat "Never Die" - 2006: Give 'Em the Boot VGive 'Em the Boot VGive 'Em the Boot V is the fifth compilation album in the Give 'Em the Boot series, released in 2006 .- Track listing :#"Tattoo" - Rancid#"Warriors Code" - Dropkick Murphys#"Cold Concrete" - Time Again...
HellCat "Swift Silent Deadly" - 2007: 2007 Warped Tour Compilation Side One Dummy "Afterworld"
- 2007: Give 'Em the Boot VIGive 'Em the Boot VIGive 'Em the Boot VI is an unofficial sixth entry in the Give 'Em the Boot series of albums. The compilations are periodically released by "Hellcat Records" and there is no record of it on the label's website. It has been distributed through the use of torrent download websites and features a...
HellCat "Afterworld" - 2008: Nightmare RevisitedNightmare Revisited- Personnel :1. "Overture"2. "Opening"3. "This Is Halloween"4. "Jack's Lament"- Personnel :1. "Overture": Produced by DeVotchKa: Mixed by Greg Macrae2. "Opening": Produced by Danny Elfman: Narration recorded and mixed by Noah Snyder...
"Oogie Boogie's Song (Bonus Track)"
External links
- Ghost Tigers fansite
- Dutch Tiger Army website
- Tiger Army website
- Tiger Army live photos
- Interview with Tiger Army
- Tiger Army on issue #36 Cover of Rockabilly Magazine w/Interview
- SHOUT! Music Webzine (Interview and photos)
- PunkRockers.com
- Tiger Army setlists
- Inked Magazine interview
- http://www.tigerarmy.nl/ Tiger Army.nl