Five Iron Frenzy 2: Electric Boogaloo
Encyclopedia
Five Iron Frenzy 2: Electric Boogaloo is the fourth full-length studio album of the band Five Iron Frenzy
. It was released November 20, 2001 on Five Minute Walk records.
On this record Five Iron continues their tradition of tongue-in-cheek lyrics on songs such as "Pre-Ex-Girlfriend" and "You Can't Handle This." The album also tackles serious issues, elevating the social commentary to what HM characterized as a "new level of brutal honesty." "Far, Far Away" was inspired by The Seekers
song "Come the Day" and "The Day We Killed" by Dee Brown
's book Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee
. The latter song references Crazy Horse
, an Indian chief, to speak about racism toward native Americans
. Another theme visited on this album is consumerism in "Vultures" and "Blue Mix." "Blue Mix" specifically addresses practices of the music industry which Roper sees as disparaging when copied within the Christian music industry
. Practices attacked include blue mixing, or limiting opening bands sound so that the headliners sound the best, and merchandising controls that raise profit margins at the expense of the band's freedom. As Roper stated to HM: "It really bothers me how often that happens in the Christian industry... it's not okay to do that kind of stuff."
According to the band, "the '2' in the title doesn't signify anything, it is simply a reference to 1984's breakdancing film, Breakin' 2: Electric Boogaloo
." Finally, "Car" is dedicated to the memory of Carlos Ortega, brother of Leanor. It references a poem by E.E. Cummings to remind the listener that each day is a blessing to be cherished.
Five Iron Frenzy
Five Iron Frenzy is a Christian ska band formed in Denver, Colorado in 1995 and disbanded in 2003. The band announced they were recording new material on November 22, 2011....
. It was released November 20, 2001 on Five Minute Walk records.
On this record Five Iron continues their tradition of tongue-in-cheek lyrics on songs such as "Pre-Ex-Girlfriend" and "You Can't Handle This." The album also tackles serious issues, elevating the social commentary to what HM characterized as a "new level of brutal honesty." "Far, Far Away" was inspired by The Seekers
The Seekers
The Seekers are an Australian folk-influenced pop music group which were originally formed in 1962. They were the first Australian popular music group to achieve major chart and sales success in the United Kingdom and the United States...
song "Come the Day" and "The Day We Killed" by Dee Brown
Dee Brown (novelist)
Dorris Alexander "Dee" Brown was an American novelist and historian.His most famous work, Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee details some of the violence and oppression suffered by Native Americans at the hands of American expansionism.-Life:Born in Alberta, Louisiana, a sawmill town, Brown grew up in...
's book Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee
Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee
Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee by American writer Dee Brown is a history of Native Americans in the American West in the late nineteenth century. He describes the people's displacement through forced relocations and years of warfare waged by the United States federal government...
. The latter song references Crazy Horse
Crazy Horse
Crazy Horse was a Native American war leader of the Oglala Lakota. He took up arms against the U.S...
, an Indian chief, to speak about racism toward native Americans
Native Americans in the United States
Native Americans in the United States are the indigenous peoples in North America within the boundaries of the present-day continental United States, parts of Alaska, and the island state of Hawaii. They are composed of numerous, distinct tribes, states, and ethnic groups, many of which survive as...
. Another theme visited on this album is consumerism in "Vultures" and "Blue Mix." "Blue Mix" specifically addresses practices of the music industry which Roper sees as disparaging when copied within the Christian music industry
Christian music industry
The Christian music industry is a small part of the larger music industry, that focuses on traditional Gospel music, Southern Gospel music, Contemporary Christian music, and alternative Christian music. It is sometimes called the gospel music industry, although this designation is not a limitation...
. Practices attacked include blue mixing, or limiting opening bands sound so that the headliners sound the best, and merchandising controls that raise profit margins at the expense of the band's freedom. As Roper stated to HM: "It really bothers me how often that happens in the Christian industry... it's not okay to do that kind of stuff."
According to the band, "the '2' in the title doesn't signify anything, it is simply a reference to 1984's breakdancing film, Breakin' 2: Electric Boogaloo
Breakin' 2: Electric Boogaloo
Breakin' 2: Electric Boogaloo is the 1984 sequel to the breakdancing film Breakin. It was first released in the same year as its predecessor by TriStar Pictures, and by Cannon Films the year after...
." Finally, "Car" is dedicated to the memory of Carlos Ortega, brother of Leanor. It references a poem by E.E. Cummings to remind the listener that each day is a blessing to be cherished.
Track listing
- "Pre-Ex-Girlfriend" – 2:53
- "Far, Far Away" – 3:30
- "You Can't Handle This" – 3:53
- "Farsighted" – 3:34
- "Spartan" – 2:49
- "The Day We Killed" - 3:25
- "Juggernaut" – 3:33
- "Plan B" – 2:31
- "Blue Mix" – 3:04
- "Vultures" – 3:03
- "Car" – 3:16
- "Eulogy" – 3:50
Music credits
- Reese RoperReese RoperMichael Reese Roper is an independent filmmaker and the former lead singer and chief song writer of the third-wave ska band Five Iron Frenzy. After Five Iron Frenzy disbanded in 2003, Reese released a single album using the moniker Roper. He is also part of the band Brave Saint Saturn, who released...
- Lead Vocals - Micah OrtegaMicah OrtegaMicah Ortega is best known as a guitarist for Five Iron Frenzy. He was born on May 31, 1976 in Greeley, Colorado and is a graduate of Heritage High School in Littleton, Colorado...
- Lead Guitar - Sonnie Johnston - Guitar
- Keith HoerigKeith HoerigKeith Hoerig is best known as the bass guitarist for Five Iron Frenzy and Brave Saint Saturn. He later assisted former band-mate Reese Roper with booking his new band, Roper....
- Bass - Andrew VerdecchioAndrew VerdecchioAndrew Dean Verdecchio or Andy Verdecchio is best known as the drummer of Christian band Five Iron Frenzy. Chaka was the stage name he had at that time. He also has played with Brave Saint Saturn and Yellow Second...
- Drums - Nathanael "Brad" Dunham - Trumpet
- Dennis Culp - Trombone
- Leanor OrtegaLeanor OrtegaLeanor Ortega Till is best known as the saxophonist for Five Iron Frenzy. Once more commonly known as Jeff the Girl, she was the sole female during the band's tenure...
"Jeff the Girl" - Saxophone
Additional musicians
- Bret Barker (of The W'sThe W'sThe W's were a Christian ska/swing band, formed in Corvallis, Oregon in 1996. Success came quickly to the band and their first album, Fourth from the Last, was a sleeper hit unexpectedly having had the strongest debut of any Christian album to date for its distributor. They toured the United...
) - Aaron James
- Michael Jon Leonardi
- Justin McRobertsJustin McRobertsJustin McRoberts is an independent singer-songwriter from the San Francisco Bay area. McRoberts released two albums with 5 Minute Walk before the label disbanded in 2001. Since then he has independently released four studio albums, a live album, and five EP's...
- Mary Joan Thyken
- Mindy Verdecchio
Production credits
- Produced by Masaki LiuMasaki LiuMasaki Liu, sometimes referred to as "Saki", is the engineer and producer operating One Way Studio, a digital recording studio in Benicia, California. Masaki has recorded and produced music for many bands, including Five Iron Frenzy, Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, The Echoing Green, The W's and...
and FIF - Recorded and mastered by Masaki with assistance from Micah Ortega, Bret Barker, and Bob Shively
- Executive Produced by Frank Tate
- Art direction and Layout by Aaron James
- Photography by Melinda DiMauro