A Poet's Life
Encyclopedia
A Poet's Life is the first solo album by Tim Armstrong
(Rancid
, Transplants, Operation Ivy
), made in collaboration with Hellcat-signed reggae band The Aggrolites
. It was released on May 22, 2007 (see 2007 in music
) on Armstrong's own label, Hellcat Records
.
The album was initially announced to be released for free as downloads on the internet. Later it was announced that it would be a physical product as well. The album comes with a DVD featuring a video for every song on the album.
, the text of which later appeared on Epitaph Records
' site (Hellcat Records is a subsidiary of Epitaph) that explained his decision to release a solo LP
. Unlike most albums, Armstrong said that it would be free and downloadable over the internet, with one song being released at a time. That same day, the first track, "Hold On", appeared as an MP3 and music video
on Epitaph's site. Almost two months later, on October 11, 2006, the second track, "Wake Up", was released in the same manner. No more tracks have been released in this manner, but in March 2007, "Into Action" was played on KROQ-FM
.
At some point, Epitaph's site listed a release date of February 6, 2007 but it was later changed to June 7. When KROQ started playing the single Into Action the release date was pushed up to May 22. Despite little promotion Into Action peaked on the Billboard Hot Modern Rock Tracks at number 39 and stayed on the chart for 2 weeks.
In Epitaph's last newsletter, it was said that they will be releasing the last eight tracks of the album (including the video to the track) in the coming weeks before it is released. However, they also mentioned that, they won't be telling listeners where. Those wishing to download the album have to find the songs on various websites. The currently available songs are linked in the Track Listing section below.
All Songs written by Tim Armstrong
Videos from the DVD are also available for viewing at Hellcat's Youtube page.
The following tracks were once listed to be on the album, but were removed or renamed for the final release.
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...
(Rancid
Rancid (band)
Rancid is an American punk rock band formed in Berkeley, California in 1991. Founded by Tim Armstrong and Matt Freeman, both of whom previously played in the ska punk band Operation Ivy, Rancid is credited—along with Green Day and The Offspring—for reviving mainstream interest in punk rock in the...
, Transplants, Operation Ivy
Operation Ivy (band)
Operation Ivy was an American ska punk band that formed in Berkeley, California, and was often credited with spurring the 1990s punk revival in California. It is well-known as one of the first bands to "mix" hardcore punk with elements of ska, known as ska-core...
), made in collaboration with Hellcat-signed reggae band The Aggrolites
The Aggrolites
The Aggrolites are a reggae and ska band from Los Angeles, California, formed in 2002.- Overview :The Aggrolites are an amalgamation of two previous Los Angeles reggae and ska bands, the Vessels and the Rhythm Doctors. They formed in 2002 as a live backing band for reggae icon Derrick Morgan, and...
. It was released on May 22, 2007 (see 2007 in music
2007 in music
This is a list of notable events in music that took place in the year 2007.-January:*January 1 - George Shearing is knighted for services to music in the Queen's New Year Honours List. Evelyn Glennie becomes a Dame...
) on Armstrong's own label, 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...
.
The album was initially announced to be released for free as downloads on the internet. Later it was announced that it would be a physical product as well. The album comes with a DVD featuring a video for every song on the album.
History
On August 29, 2006, Armstrong sent out a bulletin over MySpaceMySpace
Myspace is a social networking service owned by Specific Media LLC and pop star Justin Timberlake. Myspace launched in August 2003 and is headquartered in Beverly Hills, California. In August 2011, Myspace had 33.1 million unique U.S. visitors....
, the text of which later appeared on Epitaph Records
Epitaph Records
Epitaph Records is a Hollywood, California based independent record label owned by Bad Religion guitarist Brett Gurewitz. The label was originally "just a logo and a P.O. box" created in the 1980s for the purpose of selling Bad Religion records, but has evolved into a large independent record...
' site (Hellcat Records is a subsidiary of Epitaph) that explained his decision to release a solo LP
Album
An album is a collection of recordings, released as a single package on gramophone record, cassette, compact disc, or via digital distribution. The word derives from the Latin word for list .Vinyl LP records have two sides, each comprising one half of the album...
. Unlike most albums, Armstrong said that it would be free and downloadable over the internet, with one song being released at a time. That same day, the first track, "Hold On", appeared as an MP3 and music video
Music video
A music video or song video is a short film integrating a song and imagery, produced for promotional or artistic purposes. Modern music videos are primarily made and used as a marketing device intended to promote the sale of music recordings...
on Epitaph's site. Almost two months later, on October 11, 2006, the second track, "Wake Up", was released in the same manner. No more tracks have been released in this manner, but in March 2007, "Into Action" was played on KROQ-FM
KROQ-FM
KROQ-FM — branded 106.7 KROQ — is a commercial modern rock radio station licensed to Pasadena, California serving the Greater Los Angeles. The call sign is pronounced "kay rock." It is the flagship station of Loveline hosted by Dr...
.
At some point, Epitaph's site listed a release date of February 6, 2007 but it was later changed to June 7. When KROQ started playing the single Into Action the release date was pushed up to May 22. Despite little promotion Into Action peaked on the Billboard Hot Modern Rock Tracks at number 39 and stayed on the chart for 2 weeks.
In Epitaph's last newsletter, it was said that they will be releasing the last eight tracks of the album (including the video to the track) in the coming weeks before it is released. However, they also mentioned that, they won't be telling listeners where. Those wishing to download the album have to find the songs on various websites. The currently available songs are linked in the Track Listing section below.
Track listing
Links point to download sources for currently available songs.- Wake Up – 3:52
- Hold On – 2:59
- Into Action (featuring Skye SweetnamSkye SweetnamSkye Alexandra Sweetnam is a Canadian singer-songwriter, actress, and music video director. Skye first entered the mainstream in 2003 with the release of her debut single "Billy S." Over a year later, her debut album, Noise from the Basement, was released including the singles "Tangled Up in Me"...
) – 3:39 - Translator – 4:11
- Take This City – 3:14
- Inner City Violence – 3:48
- Oh No – 3:07
- Lady Demeter – 2:24
- Among The Dead – 3:32
- Cold Blooded – 2:45
All Songs written by Tim Armstrong
Videos from the DVD are also available for viewing at Hellcat's Youtube page.
Variations
The Japanese release includes a remix of "Into Action" as track 11.The following tracks were once listed to be on the album, but were removed or renamed for the final release.
- "The Dark" – No word on whether this is a song left off the album or if it had its name changed
- "Girl, I Only Want What's Best For You" – Now called "Translator"
- "Burning Angel" – Now called "Lady Demeter"
Personnel
- Tim ArmstrongTim ArmstrongTimothy 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...
– lead vocals, guitar, video director, video editor, artwork, photography, mixing, engineer, producer - Rachel Tejada – artwork, photography, video editor, video director, producer
- John Morrical – guitar, piano, harmonica, mixing, engineer, producer
- Jesse Wagner – guitar, backing vocals
- Brian Dixon – guitar, engineer
- Bibi McGill – guitar
- Hunter Perrin – guitar
- J. Bonner – bass guitar
- Roger Rivas – organ
- Korey Horn – drums
- Scott Abels – drums
- Saliva Cano – percussion
- Jubal Jones – saxophone
- Ethan Avineri – trumpet
- Tom Cook – trombone
- DJ Odi – DJ
- Skye SweetnamSkye SweetnamSkye Alexandra Sweetnam is a Canadian singer-songwriter, actress, and music video director. Skye first entered the mainstream in 2003 with the release of her debut single "Billy S." Over a year later, her debut album, Noise from the Basement, was released including the singles "Tangled Up in Me"...
– vocals on track 3 - Daphna DoveDaphna DoveDaphna Dove is an American musician born in 1975. She is best known for her appearance on the TV Show Rock Star: INXS-Early life:Daphna was born in Germany in 1975 and raised in New York City, to which she moved at age 3 with her parents, Jewish-Israeli-German singer-mother Elisa Gabbai and her...
– backing vocals - Ritchie Stites – backing vocals
- Gene Grimaldi – mastering
- Tom D. Klime – layout design
- Chris Lasalle – A&RA&RArtists and repertoire is the division of a record label that is responsible for talent scouting and overseeing the artistic development of recording artists. It also acts as a liaison between artists and the record label.- Finding talent :...
- Camden Lock – wardrobe
- Chelsea Rebelle – wardrobe