Upbeats and Beatdowns
Encyclopedia
Upbeats 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
. The lyrics were generally received as being "relevant and forceful;" one reviewer commented that the band offered praise and worship
"by the pound." The first track, "Old West", begins one of many themes that would reoccour on the band's subsequent releases. The track is critical of the ill treatment of Native Americans
in the name of Christ, and the liner notes implore us to learn from the Sand Creek
and Meeker Massacres.
Additional Personnel
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 April 8, 1997 on Five Minute Walk, under the SaraBellum imprint, with distribution from Warner Bros. Records
Warner Bros. Records
Warner Bros. Records Inc. is an American record label. It was the foundation label of the present-day Warner Music Group, and now operates as a wholly owned subsidiary of that corporation. It maintains a close relationship with its former parent, Warner Bros. Pictures, although the two companies...
. The lyrics were generally received as being "relevant and forceful;" one reviewer commented that the band offered praise and worship
Praise and worship
Praise and worship may refer to:* The overall praise and worship of God - see Christian worship* A style of music - see Contemporary worship music* A time of congregational singing - see Contemporary worship...
"by the pound." The first track, "Old West", begins one of many themes that would reoccour on the band's subsequent releases. The track is critical of the ill treatment of 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...
in the name of Christ, and the liner notes implore us to learn from the Sand Creek
Sand Creek Massacre
As conflict between Indians and white settlers and soldiers in Colorado continued, many of the Cheyenne and Arapaho, including bands under Cheyenne chiefs Black Kettle and White Antelope, were resigned to negotiate peace. The chiefs had sought to maintain peace in spite of pressures from whites...
and Meeker Massacres.
Track listing
- "Old West" – 2:20
- "Where the Zero Meets the Fifteen" – 3:04
- "Cool Enough For You" – 3:45
- "Anthem" – 2:43
- "Faking Life" – 2:49
- "Shut Up" – 0:04
- "Arnold and Willis and Mr. Drummond" – 2:36
- "I Feel Lucky" – 3:18
- "Milestone" – 3:12
- "Beautiful America" – 3:43
- "Combat Chuck" – 2:09
- "Amalgamate" – 2:58
- "Everywhere I Go" – 2:16 (Amy GrantAmy GrantAmy Lee Grant is an American singer-songwriter, musician, author, media personality and actress, best known for her Christian music. She has been referred to as "The Queen of Christian Pop"...
cover) - "A Flowery Song" – 3:40
- "Third World Think Tank" – 8:42
- "Combat Chuck's Call"; – 1:42 (hidden track)
Lineup
- 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, Kitty on A Flowery Song - 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, vocals, Sheep on A Flowery Song - Scott Kerr - Guitar, vocals, Monkey on A Flowery Song
- 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 guitar, Log on A Flowery Song - 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, vocals, Other Birdie on A Flowery Song - Nathanel "Brad" Dunham - Trumpet, BGVs, Sloth on A Flowery Song
- Dennis Culp - Trombone, BGVs, Vocals on Beautiful America, Birdie on A Flowery Song
- 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, BGVs, Fungus on A Flowery Song
Additional Personnel
- Jamie Awbrey - Rooster Crow on "A Flowery Song"
- MasakiMasaki 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...
- says "yah" on "Beautiful America" - Edith Bunker - Background vocals on "I Feel Lucky"
Miscellaneous
- According to the Five Iron Frenzy MySpace blog, "Milestone" is often given the title "Nintendo" due to an incorrectly named mp3 distributed on file-sharing networks.
External links
- [ Allmusic album main page]
- Five Iron Frenzy official website discography