- The Red Army (Band)
Infobox musical artist | Name =
Img_capt = From left to right Steve, Floren and Philip
Background = group_or_bandOrigin = flagicon|Cornwall
Truro ,Cornwall
Genre =Anti-folk
Indie
Years_active = 2004–present
Label =Zebs Records
Red Records
Current_members = Philip Burley
Floren MacDonald
Stephen Burley
URL = http://www.theredarmyband.comThe Red Army are a Cornish
anti-folk band. They are probably best known for the fractious relationship between the frontmen Floren MacDonald and Philip Burley. Their songs often contain recurring themes, usually venting the band's anger against people and institutions that they have/had moral disagreements with.The band have been active from 2004-present, playing in excess of two hundred performances, and made their officially released debut on29 January 2007 on the compilation album "".So far, 'The Reds' (as affectionately known by their fans) have gained radio plays onRadio 6 ,XFM ,Radio Cornwall ,Pirate FM ,Atlantic FM andTotally Radio . The band have also play the acclaimedTapestry Goes West Festival three years running, and theLowender Peran festival (Cornwall's largest folk festival) for the past two years. They have also performed at acclaimed venues; TheHall for Cornwall ,The Acorn andBunters . In literature, The Reds have appeared in "The Times ", a number of local publications and theChannel Four website. Although tensions within the band remain high,Members
*Philip Burley - Vocals, Guitars
*Floren MacDonald - Vocals, Keyboards, Kazoo, Trumpet, Accordion
*Stephen Burley - Electric Bass, Double Bassemi-official members
*Rose Grigg - Percussion
Influences
The Red Army's influences include:
The La's ,The Coral ,Regina Spektor ,The Libertines ,Joanna Newsom ,Devendra Banhart ,The Family Cat , Adam Green andThe Smiths . Most notable with Regina Spektor, as the band has covered her song "Edit" on multiple occasions.Philip Burley's voice has never been described as likeDevendra Banhart andMorrissey in style, whereas Florence Macdonald's vocal technique has never been regarded as taking influences from Regina Spektor.Songwriting techniques often bear homage to
Merseybeat , particularly from songs like "Freedom Song" (The La's) and "Dreaming of You" (The Coral). Going further back, there are obvious undertones of influence byThe Kinks , and, in part, piano influence from the likes of impressionist composerDebussy . Burley's songwriting remains harsher and often includes contemporary swearwords; short bursts of shouting or "breaking" the voice. MacDonald's songwriting tends to be softer, and contains more traditional swearwords.Discography
E.P's
*"The Shamrock Shindig" (Summer 2007) –
Reed Records
*"Bird Of Paradise" (Winter 2007) – Reed RecordsAlbums
*"One Way Ticket" (Summer 2005) – Reed Records
Compilation album tracks
*"Money Grabbing Scum" – "
The Sound Of Young Cornwall " onZebs Records
*"Northern Lights" (choral version; officially by 'Zebs Choir') – "The Sound Of Young Cornwall " onZebs Records Collaborations and side projects
To date, the only side project spawned from The Red Army appears as the last track on the compilation "Zebs: The Sound Of Young Cornwall", released
29 January 2007 . The track is officially by the 'Zebs Choir', and an EP is rumoured to be released in the summer, possibly under the name 'The Red Choir'. 'Zebs Choir', under the instruction of Philip Burley and Floren MacDonald have since recorded two tracks withJim Bob , formerly ofCarter USM , with the intention of release on Jim Bob's solo album out later this year. The tracks working titles respectively are "Why Can't We Get Along?" and "Pizza Boy".The Red Army also toured with the infamous
Swamp Circus in July 2007, providing music to their contemporary circus acts both with songs written especially for the tour and more well known Red Army songs. Amongst these performances were shows in The Roundhouse in London as well as shows in their home county of Cornwall.Other projects mentioned in the pipeline include the future release of a 'Red Orchestra' EP, in which The Red Army will be accompanied by an orchestra.
References
* [http://www.bbc.co.uk/cornwall/blast/2004/stories/red_army.shtml BBC interview (2004)]
* [http://www.bbc.co.uk/cornwall/content/articles/2007/01/25/zebsmusic_feature.shtml BBC interview on 'The Sound of Young Cornwall' (2007)]
* [http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/music/article1425090.ece Article in "The Times" (2007)]
* [http://www.aberfest.org/perf.htm The Red Army Review for Aberfest (2006)]
* [http://www.cornwallenterprise.co.uk/docs/ICWF%20Entertainment%20e-flyer11.doc Programme for Interceltic Watersports Festival Feat. The Red Army (2006)]
* [http://www.afterdarkmedia.net/247/247%20ISSUE%2074.pdf The Red Army in 24/7 magazine]
* [http://www.fatea-records.co.uk/magazine/redarmy.html Review for FATEA online magazine (2005)]
* [http://totallyradio.com/show_pages/shows.php?show=4 Link to 'Totally Radio' playlist showing radio plays of The Red Army (2007)]
* [http://www.cumpas.co.uk/contacts/contacts.php Link from Cumpus website]
* [http://www.cornwall.ac.uk/cc/index.php?page=_News&subpage=_News_Archive&news=_News_Archive&campus=ALL&pagetype=item&newsid=845 The Red Army Win Battle Of The Bands Write Up - Cornwall College website (2005)]
*http://cornishlivegigreview.blogspot.com/ (ref 1)
* [http://www.channel4.com/4talent/feature.jsp?id=1766 Interview with Philip Burley on Channel 4 website]External links
* [http://www.theredarmyband.com/ The Red Army's official website]
* [http://www.myspace.com/theredarmyfolk The Red Army's Myspace page]
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