Reese Roper
Encyclopedia
Michael 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 their third album, Anti-Meridian, on 15 September 2008. In 2010 he directed, narrated, and edited the feature length documentary The Rise and Fall of Five Iron Frenzy. The documentary was released in April 2010 to critical acclaim, as a joint project of Asian Man Records
and Department of Biophysics.
in Denver, Colorado. After the breakup of Five Iron in 2003 he became a Cytogenetic Technician in the Pathology Department at the University of Colorado Hospital. He also worked as a young adults pastor at Celebration Community Church in Denver, and then as a low voltage electrician. In 2009 he returned to school to pursue a degree in nursing. Currently, he is a licensed registered nurse in the state of Colorado.
In 2008 he was elected as a delegate to the Democratic Primary for the City and County of Denver, and then to the State of Colorado Democratic Primary.
group Exhumator. Members of that band joined with a larger cast of musicians to form the ska ensemble Five Iron Frenzy
, who in 1996 signed with 5 Minute Walk
recording studio. During this time Roper became known for his "vocal finesse" and, the ability to write lyrics with both a "tradition of ridiculousness" and a reverence for serious issues. The band was together until 22 November 2003, which is when they played their final show at the sold out Fillmore Auditorium in Denver
, Colorado
. Roper was both the lead vocalist and primary lyricist.
The concept of Brave Saint Saturn
began in 1995, but it was only during the final years of Five Iron Frenzy that Reese formalized the band with FIF bandmates Dennis Culp
and Keith Hoerig
. BS2 is primarily a studio project and has been described by Roper as an outlet for songs that didn't fit Five Iron Frenzy's musical style
. The band and some fans put forth a new term, "astro-rock", to describe the music of Brave Saint Saturn, which is fundamentally rooted in synthesizer-bathed post-punk
and haunting ballads. The band also describes themselves as being the "supersonic-philharmonic", in reference to their blending of rock music
, classical instruments
, synthesizer
s, and beat loops
. The third album of the "BS2 trilogy," Anti-Meridian, was released on 15 September 2008. During an interview on 15 October, Roper indicated that this may not be the last album from BS2.
After Five Iron Frenzy broke up, he was initially slated to lend his vocals and synthesizer skills to Guerilla Rodeo, which had been engineered by Roper, along with another FIF alum, Sonnie Johnston; Ethan Luck from the OC Supertones
; and John Warne and Josh Abbott, both from the band Ace Troubleshooter
. However, after recording three songs and releasing a self-titled EP with the band, he decided not to join for organizational reasons. Roper instead, at the behest of his former label, formed another band of his own. He eventually settled on naming the band "Roper
" in an attempt to gain favor with the band's record label, who encouraged the moniker in an attempt to lessen advertising costs. The band Roper released their first album, Brace Yourself for the Mediocre
in late 2004, with a team of studio musicians working with Roper to create a high energy blend of post-pop-punk closer in sound to Five Iron Frenzy than Brave Saint Saturn.
Reese Roper has also published various poetry volumes in small circulation and participated in two poetry tours- one initiated by Skeleton Key Publishing, and an earlier one initiated by Mike Lewis of the band Puller
. Copies of his volume More Than Paper Thin sold during the tour included a home-burned CD of spoken poetry and cover songs, entitled Where Dreams May Spark and Flicker.
Additionally, Roper has lent his vocals to two tracks of Showbread's
2004 release No Sir, Nihilism Is Not Practical
, and one of their most recent albums "Nervosa
" on the song The "Beginning", and he has also worked with the band Trash Oven, mastering their EP.
Roper is known not only for a bold, Biblically-rooted, faith communicated in his lyrics, but for a generally social-justice approach to Christianity that remains true to the life and teachings of Jesus Christ and His apostles. He has never publicly affirmed a political viewpoint, but has said in a HM Magazine editorial that Christians need to abandon blind nationalism and pursue Christ instead. Additionally, the historical abuses of the United States of America (particularly against native Americans
) and the Christian Church appear frequently in Roper's lyrical work, as well as self-searching for topics of personal depravity. He has also composed many songs that present scathing critiques of unbridled capitalism. The BS2 album Anti-Meridian uses a sound clip of Pat Robertson
from The 700 Club
, in which Robertson says that the United States should assassinate Hugo Chavez
, to show a counterpoint to what he believes most Christians actually believe, but isn't seen in the media, about war and violence.
With Brave Saint Saturn
With Guerilla Rodeo
With Roper
With Showbread
Short Films
Videos
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....
. After Five Iron Frenzy disbanded in 2003, Reese released a single album using the moniker Roper
Roper (band)
Roper was a Christian pop-punk band formed in Denver, Colorado. The band consisted of Reese Roper on lead vocals, Jonathan Byrnside on lead guitar, Jonathan Till on bass, Matt Emmett on rhythm guitar, and Nick White on drums.-Background :Guerilla RodeoGuerilla Rodeo was a short-lived project...
. He is also part of the band Brave Saint Saturn
Brave Saint Saturn
Brave Saint Saturn is a Christian rock band formed in Denver, Colorado in 1999. The band is a side-project of former members of Five Iron Frenzy started by Reese Roper...
, who released their third album, Anti-Meridian, on 15 September 2008. In 2010 he directed, narrated, and edited the feature length documentary The Rise and Fall of Five Iron Frenzy. The documentary was released in April 2010 to critical acclaim, as a joint project of Asian Man Records
Asian Man Records
Asian Man Records is a small, DIY record label run by Mike Park in Monte Sereno, California. Park started a record label and began releasing music in 1989 under the name Dill Records, with the Asian Man label established May 1996.-Artists:...
and Department of Biophysics.
Personal information
Reese Roper is known for his quirky and satirical sense of humor, but his work is also marked with a deep interest in history, politics, and self-awareness. He has been the primary lyricist and vocalist, as well as a key musical contributor, in several bands. He is a graduate of East High School. He attended the University of Colorado at Denver throughout his time in FIF and graduated with a degree in Biology. He is a licensed pastor from the Alliance for Renewal Churches, Mansfield, Ohio, and is also a co-founder of the Scum of the Earth ChurchScum of the Earth Church
Scum of the Earth Church is an evangelical, non-denominational Christian church located in the Lincoln Park neighborhood of Denver, Colorado. The name, which is intended to reach the outcast, comes from a Bible passage: 1 Corinthians 4:11 13...
in Denver, Colorado. After the breakup of Five Iron in 2003 he became a Cytogenetic Technician in the Pathology Department at the University of Colorado Hospital. He also worked as a young adults pastor at Celebration Community Church in Denver, and then as a low voltage electrician. In 2009 he returned to school to pursue a degree in nursing. Currently, he is a licensed registered nurse in the state of Colorado.
In 2008 he was elected as a delegate to the Democratic Primary for the City and County of Denver, and then to the State of Colorado Democratic Primary.
Musical career
Before his ska and rock projects, Reese Roper was in the short-lived, Colorado-based, industrial metalIndustrial metal
Industrial metal is a musical genre that draws from industrial music and many different types of heavy metal, using repeating metal guitar riffs, sampling, synthesizer or sequencer lines, and distorted vocals. Founding industrial metal acts include Ministry, Godflesh, and KMFDM.Industrial metal's...
group Exhumator. Members of that band joined with a larger cast of musicians to form the ska ensemble Five Iron Frenzy
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....
, who in 1996 signed with 5 Minute Walk
5 Minute Walk
5 Minute Walk is an independent record label founded by Frank Tate in April, 1995. Their operations were based in Concord, California in the back offices of "The Screem", a live alternate music club operated by Tate. They only carried Christian bandsDryve: Yeah, that was like the first thing...
recording studio. During this time Roper became known for his "vocal finesse" and, the ability to write lyrics with both a "tradition of ridiculousness" and a reverence for serious issues. The band was together until 22 November 2003, which is when they played their final show at the sold out Fillmore Auditorium in Denver
Denver, Colorado
The City and County of Denver is the capital and the most populous city of the U.S. state of Colorado. Denver is a consolidated city-county, located in the South Platte River Valley on the western edge of the High Plains just east of the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains...
, Colorado
Colorado
Colorado is a U.S. state that encompasses much of the Rocky Mountains as well as the northeastern portion of the Colorado Plateau and the western edge of the Great Plains...
. Roper was both the lead vocalist and primary lyricist.
The concept of Brave Saint Saturn
Brave Saint Saturn
Brave Saint Saturn is a Christian rock band formed in Denver, Colorado in 1999. The band is a side-project of former members of Five Iron Frenzy started by Reese Roper...
began in 1995, but it was only during the final years of Five Iron Frenzy that Reese formalized the band with FIF bandmates Dennis Culp
Dennis Culp
Dennis Culp is an American trombonist and singer/songwriter best known for his work with the bands Brave Saint Saturn and the now defunct Five Iron Frenzy. He currently resides in New Jersey with his wife Melinda, and has released one solo album, Ascents, under the name Dennis Bayne...
and Keith Hoerig
Keith Hoerig
Keith 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....
. BS2 is primarily a studio project and has been described by Roper as an outlet for songs that didn't fit Five Iron Frenzy's musical style
Music genre
A music genre is a categorical and typological construct that identifies musical sounds as belonging to a particular category and type of music that can be distinguished from other types of music...
. The band and some fans put forth a new term, "astro-rock", to describe the music of Brave Saint Saturn, which is fundamentally rooted in synthesizer-bathed post-punk
Post-punk
Post-punk is a rock music movement with its roots in the late 1970s, following on the heels of the initial punk rock explosion of the mid-1970s. The genre retains its roots in the punk movement but is more introverted, complex and experimental...
and haunting ballads. The band also describes themselves as being the "supersonic-philharmonic", in reference to their blending of rock music
Rock music
Rock music is a genre of popular music that developed during and after the 1960s, particularly in the United Kingdom and the United States. It has its roots in 1940s and 1950s rock and roll, itself heavily influenced by rhythm and blues and country music...
, classical instruments
Classical music
Classical music is the art music produced in, or rooted in, the traditions of Western liturgical and secular music, encompassing a broad period from roughly the 11th century to present times...
, synthesizer
Synthesizer
A synthesizer is an electronic instrument capable of producing sounds by generating electrical signals of different frequencies. These electrical signals are played through a loudspeaker or set of headphones...
s, and beat loops
Music loop
In electroacoustic music, a loop is a repeating section of sound material. Short sections of material can be repeated to create ostinato patterns...
. The third album of the "BS2 trilogy," Anti-Meridian, was released on 15 September 2008. During an interview on 15 October, Roper indicated that this may not be the last album from BS2.
After Five Iron Frenzy broke up, he was initially slated to lend his vocals and synthesizer skills to Guerilla Rodeo, which had been engineered by Roper, along with another FIF alum, Sonnie Johnston; Ethan Luck from the OC Supertones
The O.C. Supertones
The Orange County Supertones is a Christian ska band hailing from Orange County, California. The band was signed to Tooth & Nail Records before becoming an independent band for its final tour...
; and John Warne and Josh Abbott, both from the band Ace Troubleshooter
Ace Troubleshooter
Ace Troubleshooter was a pop punk band signed to Tooth & Nail Records. According to John Warne, he came up with the band's name after reading the phrase ace troubleshooter in a history book.-Death of Ace:...
. However, after recording three songs and releasing a self-titled EP with the band, he decided not to join for organizational reasons. Roper instead, at the behest of his former label, formed another band of his own. He eventually settled on naming the band "Roper
Roper (band)
Roper was a Christian pop-punk band formed in Denver, Colorado. The band consisted of Reese Roper on lead vocals, Jonathan Byrnside on lead guitar, Jonathan Till on bass, Matt Emmett on rhythm guitar, and Nick White on drums.-Background :Guerilla RodeoGuerilla Rodeo was a short-lived project...
" in an attempt to gain favor with the band's record label, who encouraged the moniker in an attempt to lessen advertising costs. The band Roper released their first album, Brace Yourself for the Mediocre
Brace Yourself for the Mediocre
Brace Yourself for the Mediocre is the only album of the band Roper, released October 19, 2004. It was put together by lead singer Reese Roper before he had put the rest of the band together. The album has a pop punk sound, although HM comments that it "has much more in common with the raw side...
in late 2004, with a team of studio musicians working with Roper to create a high energy blend of post-pop-punk closer in sound to Five Iron Frenzy than Brave Saint Saturn.
Reese Roper has also published various poetry volumes in small circulation and participated in two poetry tours- one initiated by Skeleton Key Publishing, and an earlier one initiated by Mike Lewis of the band Puller
Puller (band)
Puller was a post-grunge band formed in the mid-1990s. They released three full-length albums and one EP for Tooth & Nail Records and disbanded in 2001....
. Copies of his volume More Than Paper Thin sold during the tour included a home-burned CD of spoken poetry and cover songs, entitled Where Dreams May Spark and Flicker.
Additionally, Roper has lent his vocals to two tracks of Showbread's
Showbread (band)
Showbread is an American Christian rock band originating in Guyton, Georgia. More specifically, the band lives in a small community within Guyton called Marlow. They formed in 1997. The band has gone through numerous lineup changes since its formation but maintains its two founding members, Josh...
2004 release No Sir, Nihilism Is Not Practical
No Sir, Nihilism Is Not Practical
No Sir, Nihilism Is Not Practical is an album by the band Showbread. A music video was made for the song "Mouth Like A Magazine".-Track listing:# "A Llama Eats a Giraffe " - 3:51# "Dead By Dawn" - 3:54# "Mouth Like a Magazine" - 4:12...
, and one of their most recent albums "Nervosa
Nervosa (album)
Nervosa is an album by the band Showbread. It was released on May 13, 2008 simultaneously with its companion album Anorexia. Nervosa second in a two-CD collection entitled Anorexia Nervosa, which is an accompaniment to the short story Anorexia Nervosa which comes packaged within the records...
" on the song The "Beginning", and he has also worked with the band Trash Oven, mastering their EP.
Roper is known not only for a bold, Biblically-rooted, faith communicated in his lyrics, but for a generally social-justice approach to Christianity that remains true to the life and teachings of Jesus Christ and His apostles. He has never publicly affirmed a political viewpoint, but has said in a HM Magazine editorial that Christians need to abandon blind nationalism and pursue Christ instead. Additionally, the historical abuses of the United States of America (particularly against 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...
) and the Christian Church appear frequently in Roper's lyrical work, as well as self-searching for topics of personal depravity. He has also composed many songs that present scathing critiques of unbridled capitalism. The BS2 album Anti-Meridian uses a sound clip of Pat Robertson
Pat Robertson
Marion Gordon "Pat" Robertson is a media mogul, television evangelist, ex-Baptist minister and businessman who is politically aligned with the Christian Right in the United States....
from The 700 Club
The 700 Club
The 700 Club is the flagship news talk show of the Christian Broadcasting Network, airing in syndication throughout the United States and Canada. In production since 1966, it is currently hosted by Pat Robertson, Terry Meeuwsen, Kristi Watts, and Gordon P. Robertson, two of whom will host on any...
, in which Robertson says that the United States should assassinate Hugo Chavez
Hugo Chávez
Hugo Rafael Chávez Frías is the 56th and current President of Venezuela, having held that position since 1999. He was formerly the leader of the Fifth Republic Movement political party from its foundation in 1997 until 2007, when he became the leader of the United Socialist Party of Venezuela...
, to show a counterpoint to what he believes most Christians actually believe, but isn't seen in the media, about war and violence.
Discography
With Five Iron Frenzy- It's Funny, but Not Very Creative(1996)
- Upbeats and BeatdownsUpbeats and BeatdownsUpbeats and Beatdowns is the first full-length album of the band Five Iron Frenzy. It was released April 8, 1997 on Five Minute Walk, under the SaraBellum imprint, with distribution from Warner Bros. Records...
(1996) - Our Newest Album Ever(1997)
- Miniature Golf Courses of AmericaMiniature Golf Courses of AmericaMiniature Golf Courses of America is Five Iron Frenzy's second 7" vinyl release. It was released sometime in 1998.The album's cover and title are direct references to Lake Charles, Louisiana lounge singer and former singer of Chase Gee Gee Shinn's garage rock album titled "Putt Putt Golf Courses...
(1998) - Brad Is Dead (1998)
- Quantity Is Job 1Quantity Is Job 1Quantity Is Job 1 is an EP by the band Five Iron Frenzy. It was released November 3, 1998 on Five Minute Walk. The album was the bands first release distributed by EMI, and most of it was written in a two-week period before being recorded. Unlisted on the package are tracks nine through seventeen,...
(1998) - Proof That the Youth Are RevoltingProof That the Youth Are RevoltingProof That The Youth Are Revolting is Five Iron Frenzy's first live album, released November, 1999 by Sarabellum Records and Five Minute Walk, with distribution by Warner Bros. Records. It was recorded at eleven shows throughout 1998 and 1999, including Cornerstone 1999. The cover art was made by...
(1999) - The Phantom Mullet (2000)
- All the Hype That Money Can BuyAll the Hype That Money Can BuyAll the Hype That Money Can Buy, Five Iron Frenzy's third full-length studio album, released April 25, 2000, on Five Minute Walk, under their SaraBellum imprint, with distribution from Warner Bros. Records. It is musically their most diverse album, binding elements of salsa, Calypso music, and...
(2000) - Five Iron Frenzy 2: Electric BoogalooFive Iron Frenzy 2: Electric BoogalooFive 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....
(2001) - Cheeses...(of Nazareth)Cheeses...(of Nazareth)Cheeses... is an album by Five Iron Frenzy released in 2003. It contains a number of rarities and live tracks as a thank you to fans; the band would break up at the end of 2003...
(2003) - The End Is NearThe End Is Near (Five Iron Frenzy album)The End is Near is the fifth and purported final studio album by Five Iron Frenzy, self-released on June 18, 2003. The album was later widely re-released as a part of double album titled The End is Here by Five Minute Walk Records on April 20, 2004...
(2003) - The End Is Here (2004)
With Brave Saint Saturn
- So Far from HomeSo Far from HomeSo Far from Home is the first installment in a space-themed trilogy released by Christian rock band Brave Saint Saturn. This release contains less elements of the trilogy's plot that was developed in the two subsequent albums, opting for a more general feeling of darkness and loneliness...
(2000) - The Light of Things Hoped For... (2003)
- Anti-Meridian (September 2008)
With Guerilla Rodeo
- Ride, Rope and DestroyRide, Rope and DestroyRide, Rope and Destroy is an EP by the band Guerilla Rodeo. It is their only release, as the band's founder Reese Roper left to start a new band called Roper.-Track listing:# "Ride, Rope and Destroy" – 2:48# "Stuntman" – 2:35...
(2004)
With Roper
- Brace Yourself for the MediocreBrace Yourself for the MediocreBrace Yourself for the Mediocre is the only album of the band Roper, released October 19, 2004. It was put together by lead singer Reese Roper before he had put the rest of the band together. The album has a pop punk sound, although HM comments that it "has much more in common with the raw side...
(2004)
With Showbread
- No Sir, Nihilism Is Not PracticalNo Sir, Nihilism Is Not PracticalNo Sir, Nihilism Is Not Practical is an album by the band Showbread. A music video was made for the song "Mouth Like A Magazine".-Track listing:# "A Llama Eats a Giraffe " - 3:51# "Dead By Dawn" - 3:54# "Mouth Like a Magazine" - 4:12...
on "Matthias Replaces Judas" and "Stabbing Art To Death" - NervosaNervosa (album)Nervosa is an album by the band Showbread. It was released on May 13, 2008 simultaneously with its companion album Anorexia. Nervosa second in a two-CD collection entitled Anorexia Nervosa, which is an accompaniment to the short story Anorexia Nervosa which comes packaged within the records...
on "The Beginning"
Filmaking
Films- The Rise and Fall of Five Iron Frenzy (2010)
Short Films
- Elfie Time (1997)
- Fear and Loathing In Denver (1998)
- The Wayne Chronicles (1999)
- Welcome To My Pain (1999)
- When Keith Almost Died (2000)
- Rolling Papers (2000)
- A Long Road in Germany (2000)
- Tea Party (2001)
- The Flip Flipperson Debacle (2001)
Videos
- Farsighted (2002)