Short Biography
For the devoted who tattoo the lyrics and "TigerBat" logo on their bodies, Tiger Army is more than a band - it's a way of life. Bandleader, frontman and songwriter Nick 13 has led the So Cal trio with a distinct vision and staunch determination. The loyalty of the band's following is evident online where hundreds of photos of Tiger Army related tattoos and other fan created artwork can be found.
Tiger Army embraces its psychobilly roots but transcends the genre with nuanced introspection and a staunch stance against novelty. They follow the example laid down by The Beatles who always maintained a connection to their first musical love, the rockabilly of artists like Buddy H...
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Short Biography
For the devoted who tattoo the lyrics and "TigerBat" logo on their bodies, Tiger Army is more than a band - it's a way of life. Bandleader, frontman and songwriter Nick 13 has led the So Cal trio with a distinct vision and staunch determination. The loyalty of the band's following is evident online where hundreds of photos of Tiger Army related tattoos and other fan created artwork can be found.
Tiger Army embraces its psychobilly roots but transcends the genre with nuanced introspection and a staunch stance against novelty. They follow the example laid down by The Beatles who always maintained a connection to their first musical love, the rockabilly of artists like Buddy Holly and Carl Perkins, even while expanding and redefining it - in some cases beyond recognition.
Tiger Army played their first show in 1996 at the Bay Area's legendary punk collective, 924 Gilman Street, known as the venue where Green Day got their start. The gig saw them opening for AFI, who lent Nick 13 their drummer, Adam Carson. The first Tiger Army album followed in late 1999.
The fledgling psychobilly scene in North America took flight shortly thereafter. Songs like "Nocturnal" and "True Romance" presaged the dark palette that would paint much of underground music in the coming year. Geoff Kresge (ex-AFI) came onboard on stand-up after the first album's release.
Now based in Los Angeles, Tiger Army embarked upon eighteen months of touring in support of II: Power of Moonlite, sharing stages with Dropkick Murphys and The Damned. Two sold-out record release shows at the House Of Blues on the Sunset Strip marked the June, 2004 arrival of III: Ghost Tigers Rise as the band took off for a month on the main stage of the Vans Warped Tour.
46 shows with Social Distortion followed. The touring cycle behind the band's third album culminated with five sold out shows at the Hollywood House Of Blues, followed by four sold out shows at the Anaheim House Of Blues. The Dark Romance Tour came later, after which the band took some time off to prepare Music From Regions Beyond, pausing briefly for the gigs with Morrissey and AFI as well as a headlining performance at Orange County's annual "Hootenanny" festival and a trip to the legendary Red Rocks Amphitheatre in Denver to support Social Distortion, among other shows.
During this period Nick 13 made a cameo appearance in "Inland Empire," the latest film from legendary director David Lynch ("Twin Peaks," "Mulholland Drive"). The band played a sold-out release show at the House Of Blues in Las Vegas and returned to the Vans Warped Tour as a headliner shortly before starting their own "Razor's Kiss" US tour, which culminated with two sold-out nights at the Wiltern in Los Angeles. Worldwide touring in 2008 included many festival appearances and saw the inaugural Octoberflame event in Orange County, which has continued annually.
At a time when much of contemporary rock music has been reduced to meaningless theater performed by false pretenders, Tiger Army is an antidote, bracing in its authenticity. Hear them and hear the sound of artistic legitimacy reclaiming rock music - Tiger Army Never Die!
In-depth Biography
Southern Cal punksters Tiger Army have been honing their psychobilly twists since 1995, playing gigs around the Bay Area, where Operation Ivy, Rancid, and Green Day made names for themselves. By 1997, Tiger Army dealt with departing bandmates as well as scoring recognition from Rancid's Tim Armstrong. Singer/songwriter and guitarist Nick 13 was the only member left in Tiger Army yet still formed a union with Armstrong's Hellcat Records. Two years later, Nick, AFI drummer Adam Carson, and Quakes bassist Rob Peltier headed into the studio to begin recording Tiger Army's self-titled debut, which was issued in December 1999. By year's end, Geoff Kresge was added to play standup bass. Tiger Army was finally becoming a band, and in 2001, they issued Tiger Army II: Power of Moonlite. Later that year, SoCal local Fred Hell joined on drums and Tiger Army hit the road in support of their sophomore effort as an official rock group. Shared dates with Dropkick Murphys, Reverend Horton Heat, and The Damned as well as a stint on Hellcat's first Punks vs. Psychos tour and a spot on Warped followed into 2002. As the band prepared for the recording of their third album in spring 2003, Hell was shot four times during a botched breaking-and-entering incident at a friend's apartment. He survived wounds to the back, chest, and head but was unable to physically play in the studio. Drum tech Mike Fasano temporarily stepped in for him while Hell remained present during the studio sessions. He made a triumphant return as did Tiger Army in mid-2003 for a short summer tour with Rancid. The psychobilly-powered Tiger Army III: Ghost Tigers Rise followed in June 2004. Kresge left the band after they had finished another Warped tour and was replaced by former Cosmic Voodoo and Calavera member Jeff Roffredo. Drummer James Meza was added to the lineup before Tiger Army embarked on another tour, this time supporting the legendary Social Distortion. They spent part of 2005 touring Europe and Australia before coming home and headlining their own tour of the U.S. In 2006 they began recording sessions with veteran producer Jerry Finnand the results, 2007's Music from Regions Beyond, proved to be the most diverse and commercial sounding album of their career. ~ MacKenzie Wilson, Rovi
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