AJJ is an American
folk punk
Folk punk (known in its early days as rogue folk) is a fusion of folk music and punk rock. It was popularized in the early 1980s by the Pogues in England, and by Violent Femmes in the United States. Folk punk achieved some mainstream success in ...
band from
Phoenix, Arizona
Phoenix ( ; nv, Hoozdo; es, Fénix or , yuf-x-wal, Banyà:nyuwá) is the List of capitals in the United States, capital and List of cities and towns in Arizona#List of cities and towns, most populous city of the U.S. state of Arizona, with 1 ...
, originally formed in 2004 as Andrew Jackson Jihad. Their lyrics handle themes of
shyness
Shyness (also called diffidence) is the feeling of apprehension, lack of comfort, or awkwardness especially when a person is around other people. This commonly occurs in new situations or with unfamiliar people; a shy person may simply opt t ...
,
poverty
Poverty is the state of having few material possessions or little income. Poverty can have diverse social, economic, and political causes and effects. When evaluating poverty in ...
,
humanity,
religion
Religion is usually defined as a social- cultural system of designated behaviors and practices, morals, beliefs, worldviews, texts, sanctified places, prophecies, ethics, or organizations, that generally relates humanity to supernatural, ...
,
addiction
Addiction is a neuropsychological disorder characterized by a persistent and intense urge to engage in certain behaviors, one of which is the usage of a drug, despite substantial harm and other negative consequences. Repetitive drug use o ...
,
existentialism
Existentialism ( ) is a form of philosophical inquiry that explores the problem of human existence and centers on human thinking, feeling, and acting. Existentialist thinkers frequently explore issues related to the meaning, purpose, and valu ...
, and
politics
Politics (from , ) is the set of activities that are associated with making decisions in groups, or other forms of power relations among individuals, such as the distribution of resources or status. The branch of social science that studies ...
. Singer/guitarist Sean Bonnette and bassist Ben Gallaty are the only remaining founding members.
History
![Ben Gallaty](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/35/Ben_Gallaty.jpg)
AJJ (formerly known as Andrew Jackson Jihad) was formed by Sean Bonnette, Ben Gallaty, and drummer Justin James White, who left the band soon after. They recorded the band's first LP, ''
Candy Cigarettes & Cap Guns
''Candy Cigarettes & Cap Guns'' is the first studio album from folk punk band Andrew Jackson Jihad. The album was released by The Audioconfusion Manifesto in 2005.
Track listing
Personnel
Andrew Jackson Jihad
*Sean Bonnette - lead vocals, ...
'', released through the Audioconfusion Manifesto label in 2005.
On April 15, 2006, the band played as part of the 2006
New Times Music Showcase, nominated for Best
Americana
Americana may refer to:
*Americana (music), a genre or style of American music
*Americana (culture), artifacts of the culture of the United States
Film, radio and television
* ''Americana'' (1992 TV series), a documentary series presented by J ...
Band, and won a Best of Phoenix award later that year.
They released a split LP with Ghost Mice on
Plan-It-X-Records
Plan-It-X Records (PIX) was an independent record label. Originally based in Georgetown, Indiana, PIX was based out of Bloomington, Indiana following brief stints in Olympia, Washington, Gainesville, Florida, and Cairo, Illinois. The label re ...
in 2007. Following this,
Asian Man Records
Asian may refer to:
* Items from or related to the continent of Asia:
** Asian people, people in or descending from Asia
** Asian culture, the culture of the people from Asia
** Asian cuisine, food based on the style of food of the people from Asi ...
issued their second full-length album, ''
'', on September 11, 2007.
[ Andrew Jackson Jihadat ]Allmusic
AllMusic (previously known as All Music Guide and AMG) is an American online music database. It catalogs more than three million album entries and 30 million tracks, as well as information on musicians and bands. Initiated in 1991, the databas ...
In 2008 the band was a part of the Asian Man Records "Making Punk Fun Again" tour with
The Queers
The Queers are an American punk rock band, formed in 1981 by the Portsmouth, New Hampshire native Joseph “Joe” P. King (a.k.a. Joe Queer) along with Scott Gildersleeve (a.k.a. Tulu), and John “Jack” Hayes (a.k.a. Wimpy Rutherford). With t ...
,
Bomb the Music Industry!
Bomb the Music Industry! (commonly abbreviated as Bomb or BtMI!) were an American punk rock musical collective from Baldwin, Nassau County, New York, United States, led by singer-songwriter, producer, and multi-instrumentalist Jeff Rosenstock.
...
,
Lemuria
Lemuria (), or Limuria, was a continent proposed in 1864 by zoologist Philip Sclater, theorized to have sunk beneath the Indian Ocean, later appropriated by occultists in supposed accounts of human origins. The theory was discredited with the di ...
, and
Kepi Ghoulie
The Groovie Ghoulies were an American pop punk band from Sacramento, California, United States, whose music took inspiration from horror movies. They released numerous albums, EPs, and singles, and toured internationally. The band's name was ...
. 2008 also saw the release of "Only God Can Judge Me", a mostly acoustic EP on Plan-it-X Records.
In 2009, the band's third record, ''Can't Maintain'', was released by Asian Man Records. They toured the US with Kepi Ghoulie and Partners in 818. At this point, the band consisted of Bonnette, Gallaty, Deacon Batchelor on drums, and Preston Bryant on guitar and keyboards.
In 2010, the band toured the US with Blunt Mechanic, Europe with Kepi Ghoulie, and the west coast with Royal Monsters.
2011 had the band go on their second European tour. They also played festivals such as Plan-It-X Fest and the Asian Man Records 15th Anniversary. Mark Glick joined the band, rounding out the sound with cello parts. The fourth full-length album, ''
Knife Man'', was released on September 20 by Asian Man Records and on cassette by
Lauren Records
Lauren Records is an American independent record label founded in Southern California in 2011. The label mostly specializes in indie rock, emo, and other melodic punk rock adjacent genres.
History
After a few years booking shows and tours fo ...
. In support of this record, the band was a part of a full US tour with
Frank Turner
Francis Edward Turner (born 28 December 1981), is an English Punk rock, punk and Folk music, folk singer-songwriter from Meonstoke, Hampshire. He began his career as the vocalist of post-hardcore band Million Dead, then embarked upon a primar ...
and
Into It. Over It.
Into It. Over It. is the indie rock solo project of the Chicago, Illinois-based musician Evan Thomas Weiss. It is considered one of the top acts in the emo revival scene of the 2010s.
History
Evan Weiss grew up in Cherry Hill, New Jersey. His ...
2012 was a busy year of extensive touring. In March, the band toured with
Laura Stevenson
Laura Anne Stevenson (born April 25, 1984) is an American singer-songwriter from Long Island, New York, and formerly a keyboard player for the musical collective Bomb the Music Industry!
Biography
Stevenson was raised in Nassau County, New Yo ...
and ROAR, which was quickly followed by another tour in April with
Joyce Manor
Joyce Manor is an American punk rock band from Torrance, California, formed in 2008. The band consists of lead vocalist/guitarist Barry Johnson, guitarist Chase Knobbe, and bassist/backing vocalist Matt Ebert. Since their formation, the band hav ...
and Treasure Fleet. In September, the band did a short string of shows with
Against Me!
Against Me! is an American punk rock band formed in 1997 in Naples, Florida, by singer and guitarist Laura Jane Grace. That same year, Grace moved to Gainesville, Florida, which is considered the band's hometown. Since 2001, the band's lineup ...
and Joyce Manor, followed by a full US tour with
Future of the Left
Future of the Left are a Welsh alternative rock band based in Cardiff. The group consists of former Mclusky members Andrew Falkous (vocals, guitar) and Jack Egglestone (drums) and former Million Dead bassist Julia Ruzicka.
History
Beginnings
F ...
and
Jeff Rosenstock
Jeffrey Ernest Rosenstock (born September 7, 1982) is an American musician, multi-instrumentalist, singer and songwriter from Long Island, New York. He is known for his former bands Bomb the Music Industry! and The Arrogant Sons of Bitches, as well ...
.
2013 saw yet another busy year for the band. In April, Bonnette went on a solo tour with Ian Graham of
Cheap Girls
Cheap Girls were an American rock band from Lansing, Michigan. The band consisted of brothers Ian Graham (guitar, lead vocals) and Ben Graham (drums, back-up vocals), Jason Draper (Bass) and Adam Aymor (guitar). Formed in 2007, the band quickly ...
. He also collaborated on a track with
Sole that was released in May. In September, the band's first live album, "Live at the Crescent Ballroom", was released by Asian Man Records and on cassette by
Lauren Records
Lauren Records is an American independent record label founded in Southern California in 2011. The label mostly specializes in indie rock, emo, and other melodic punk rock adjacent genres.
History
After a few years booking shows and tours fo ...
. In November, the band embarked on a west coast tour with The Gunshy. In June, the band had recorded a new album entitled ''
Christmas Island
Christmas Island, officially the Territory of Christmas Island, is an Australian external territory comprising the island of the same name. It is located in the Indian Ocean, around south of Java and Sumatra and around north-west of the ...
'' with
John Congleton
John Congleton is an American Grammy Award-winning record producer, engineer, mixer, writer and musician.
In addition to his production work, Congleton has fronted the alternative rock band the Paper Chase, and writes music for a newer project e ...
and members of their full touring lineup Preston Bryant and Deacon Batchelor. The album was released on May 6, 2014, on Side One Dummy Records.
In 2016, the band officially changed their name from "Andrew Jackson Jihad" to AJJ (a moniker that many of their fans had been using to refer to them for several years). In a statement on the band's website, Bonnette wrote "1.) We are not Muslims, and as such, it is disrespectful and irresponsible for us to use the word
jihad
Jihad (; ar, جهاد, jihād ) is an Arabic word which literally means "striving" or "struggling", especially with a praiseworthy aim. In an Islamic context, it can refer to almost any effort to make personal and social life conform with Go ...
in our band’s name. 2.) We no longer wish to be a living reminder of the president
Andrew Jackson
Andrew Jackson (March 15, 1767 – June 8, 1845) was an American lawyer, planter, general, and statesman who served as the seventh president of the United States from 1829 to 1837. Before being elected to the presidency, he gained fame as ...
. Interesting historical figure as he was, he was an odious person and our fascination with him has grown stale."
On June 28, 2016, AJJ announced their 6th studio album, ''
The Bible 2'', along with a tracklist and pre-order bundles. The band also released a music video for the album's lead single, "Goodbye, Oh Goodbye." The clip is a style parody of the
viral video
A viral video is a video that becomes popular through a viral process of Internet sharing, typically through video sharing websites such as YouTube as well as social media and email.Lu Jiang, Yajie Miao, Yi Yang, ZhenZhong Lan, Alexander Haupt ...
approach to music videos made by the band
OK Go
OK Go is an American rock band originally from Chicago, Illinois, now based in Los Angeles, California. The band is composed of Damian Kulash (lead vocals, guitar), Tim Nordwind (bass guitar and vocals), Dan Konopka (drums and percussion), and ...
. On August 1, 2016, the music video for "Junkie Church" was released.
In 2017, the band released an EP on
Lauren Records
Lauren Records is an American independent record label founded in Southern California in 2011. The label mostly specializes in indie rock, emo, and other melodic punk rock adjacent genres.
History
After a few years booking shows and tours fo ...
of new material entitled ''
Back in the Jazz Coffin
AJJ is an American folk punk band from Phoenix, Arizona, originally formed in 2004 as Andrew Jackson Jihad. Their lyrics handle themes of shyness, poverty, humanity (virtue), humanity, religion, addiction, existentialism, and politics. Singer/gu ...
'', consisting of acoustic songs. They also released ''Decade of Regression'', a live album as a Record Store Day exclusive.
In August 2017, after Chris Clavin of Plan-It-X Records was "accused of and acknowledged a pattern of sexual abuse", AJJ took their music off of the label and re-released it themselves.
On October 30, 2019, AJJ announced a new studio album titled ''
Good Luck Everybody
'' Good Luck Everybody'' is the seventh studio album by Arizona-based folk punk band AJJ (band), AJJ. It was released on January 17, 2020. It is the first self-produced album by the band, and also the first to be independently released on their re ...
''. This announcement coincided with the release of "A Poem", the lead single from the album. After three more singles and two music videos, for "Mega Guillotine 2020" and "Loudmouth", ''Good Luck Everybody'' was released on January 17, 2020. Unlike previous releases, ''Good Luck Everybody'' is self-published under a newly formed label entitled "AJJ unlimited LTD".
Members
Current
*Sean Bonnette – lead vocals, acoustic guitar
(2004–present)
*Ben Gallaty – bass guitar, double bass, backing vocals
(2004–present)
*Preston Bryant – lead guitar, keyboards, backing vocals
(2009–present)
*Mark Glick – cello, baritone guitar
(2011–present)
*Owen Evans – drums, percussion
(2016–present)
Current touring musicians
*Kevin Higuchi – drums
(2021)
Former
*Justin James White – drums, percussion
(2004)
*Stephen Steinbrink
*Abe Gil
*John de la Cruz
*Deacon Batchelor – drums, percussion
(2007–2016)
*Dylan Cook – mandolin
(2007–2013)
*Chase Kamp – drums, percussion
*Matt Keegan – trombone
(2009)
Discography
Studio albums
*''
Candy Cigarettes & Cap Guns
''Candy Cigarettes & Cap Guns'' is the first studio album from folk punk band Andrew Jackson Jihad. The album was released by The Audioconfusion Manifesto in 2005.
Track listing
Personnel
Andrew Jackson Jihad
*Sean Bonnette - lead vocals, ...
'' (2005)
*''
'' (2007)
*''
Can't Maintain'' (2009)
*''
Knife Man'' (2011)
*''
Christmas Island
Christmas Island, officially the Territory of Christmas Island, is an Australian external territory comprising the island of the same name. It is located in the Indian Ocean, around south of Java and Sumatra and around north-west of the ...
'' (2014)
*''
The Bible 2'' (2016)
*''
Good Luck Everybody
'' Good Luck Everybody'' is the seventh studio album by Arizona-based folk punk band AJJ (band), AJJ. It was released on January 17, 2020. It is the first self-produced album by the band, and also the first to be independently released on their re ...
'' (2020)
Live albums
*''Live at Trunk Space 08/25/05'' (2006)
*''Live at the Bottom of the Hill'' (2011)
*''Live at The Crescent Ballroom'' (2013)
*''Live at Knitting Factory'' (2015)
*''Decade of Regression'' (2017)
*''AJJ on Audiotree Live'' (2018)
*''Live at Third Man Records'' (2019)
Extended plays
*''Issue Problems'' (2006)
*''Art of the Underground Volume 19'' (2007)
*''Plant Your Roots'' (2007)
*''Only God Can Judge Me'' (2008)
*''Operation Stackola'' (2009)
*''Holiday In(n) Gainesville'' (2009)
*''Back in the Jazz Coffin'' (2017)
Splits
*''Andrew Jackson Jihad / Flaspar / Golden Boots'' (2006)
*''Andrew Jackson Jihad / Ghost Mice'' (2007)
*''Andrew Jackson Jihad / French Quarter'' (2007)
*''Andrew Jackson Jihad / Partners in 818'' (2007)
*''Andrew Jackson Jihad /
Mischief Brew
Mischief Brew was an American folk punk band from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania consisting of vocalist and guitarist Erik Petersen, bassist Shawn St. Clair, and drummers Christopher Petersen and Christopher Kulp. The band played DIY folk punk and ...
'' (2009)
*''Andrew Jackson Jihad /
Cobra Skulls
Cobra Skulls are an American punk rock band originally from Reno, Nevada, United States, but later based in the San Francisco Bay Area. They have released three studio albums, five EPs, and three 7" splits.
History
Cobra Skulls were formed in R ...
- Under The Influence Vol. 6'' (2009)
*''Andrew Jackson Jihad / Apocalypse Meow - Pug Life'' (2009)
*''Andrew Jackson Jihad / The Gunshy'' (2010)
*''Andrew Jackson Jihad / Father's Day / Porches / Treasure Mammel - The Chronicles of Sheriff Joe Arpaio'' (2010)
*''Andrew Jackson Jihad / O Pioneers!!!'' (2011)
*''Andrew Jackson Jihad / Roar - Recorded At a Record Store 2'' (2015)
Compilations
*''Candy Cigarettes, Capguns, Issue Problems! and Such'' (2011)
*''I Think We Should Stay Away From Each Other'' (
Lauren Records
Lauren Records is an American independent record label founded in Southern California in 2011. The label mostly specializes in indie rock, emo, and other melodic punk rock adjacent genres.
History
After a few years booking shows and tours fo ...
2011)
*''An Asian Man Christmas'' (2011)
*''Rompilation'' (2012)
*''Rompilation 2.0: The Digitizing'' (2014)
*''Only God Can Judge Me and More'' (2018)
*''Ugly Spiral: Lost Works 2012-2016'' (2018)
Demos
*''Holey Man, Holy War'' (2004)
*''Demo II'' (2004)
*''Demo III'' (2004)
*''Home Style (Recordings)'' (2010)
References
External links
*
{{Authority control
Anti-folk groups
Asian Man Records artists
Folk punk groups
American indie folk groups
Indie rock musical groups from Arizona
Musical groups from Phoenix, Arizona
Specialist Subject Records artists
Naming controversies