There's a delicate balance between the intertwining worlds of artistry, entertainment and humor, but for Atlanta's best dressed alternative rockers Family Force 5 it's an ecstatic equilibrium that remarkably illustrates all three elements, as proven after one listen to the group's sophomore album Dance Or Die, to be released August 19 on CD and digitally. This release is a strategic partnership between the Transparent Media Group founded by the Olds brothers, manager Chris Woltman and producer Joe Baldridge with EMI Music Marketing and Tooth & Nail Records.
"EMI has been involved with Family Force 5 since the beginning," says Bill Gagnon, Senior Vice President of EMI Music. "We are very pleased to partner with the band and with Transparent Media Group for the release of Dance Or Die."
Family Force 5 is:
Solomon "Soul Glow Activator" Olds - vocals, guitar
Jacob "Crouton" Olds - drums, vocals
Joshua "Fatty" Olds - bass, vocals
Derek "Chap Stique" Mount - guitar
Nathan "Nadaddy" Currin - keyboards, turntables
Produced by
Solomon "
Soul Glow Activator"
Olds and
Joe Baldridge (Beck, Jewel),
Dance Or Die oozes with over the top illustrations, charging out of the gate with funky rhythms, percolating club grooves, undeniably infectious rock n' roll hooks and instantaneous sing-alongs. Imagine an inventive evolution of the gang's eye opening debut Business Up Front, Party in the Back mixed with Prince getting down at a Daft Punk concert where Michael Jackson busts out a moonwalk in the center of the dance floor.
"The last record was a straight up party, but we always said the second would be a sweaty kind of rock n' roll dance music," says front man and guitarist Solomon "Soul Glow Activator" Olds.
Speaking of Rock n' Roll music, the band is currently on the Vans Warped Tour 08 and will soon announce the dates for their fall solo headlining trek. With the tongue firmly planted in cheek, the Atlanta fivesome are just as likely to get the party started as they are a catalyst for allowing audiences to forget the problems around them, never compromising creativity and returning to the days of massive spectacles on tour.
"The really interesting part of the story is that we recorded Dance Or Die totally independently, paying for all of the studio time, meals and lodging by ourselves with the whole DIY mentality," notes guitarist Derek "Chap Stique" Mount.
It didn't take long for music industry executives to catch wind of this, and before they had even finished recording the band was fielding label offers, finding a new home with EMI Music Marketing and Tooth & Nail Records.
"This deal provides us the opportunity to drive our music to the next level and to work hand - in -hand with an organization that understands what we want to accomplished. We are thrilled to be a part of the EMI family for this release and look forward to this new business relationship and all that awaits the release of Dance Or Die" - Says Family Force 5.
Family Force 5 is revitalized, road-tightened and ready for the future so let's get the party started.
See them live:
07/09 - Vans Warped Tour - Atlanta, GA
07/10 - Vans Warped Tour - Orlando, FL
07/11 - Vans Warped Tour - St Petersburg, FL
07/12 - Kings Dominion - Doswell, VI
07/13 - Vans Warped Tour - St Augustine, FL
07/14 - Vans Warped Tour - Charlotte , NC
07/15 - Vans Warped Tour - Virginia Beach, VA
07/16 - Vans Warped Tour - Columbia, MD
07/17 - Vans Warped Tour - Cleveland , OH
07/18 - Vans warped Tour - Detroit, MI
07/19 - Vans Warped Tour - Toronto, Ontario
07/20 - Vans Warped Tour - Montreal, Quebec
07/23 - Vans Warped Tour - Mansfield, MA
07/24 - Vans Warped Tour - Darian Center, NY
07/25 - Vans Warped Tour - Camden, NJ
07/26 - Vans Warped Tour - Uniondale, NY
07/27 - Vans Warped Tour - Scranton, PA
07/28 - Vans Warped Tour - Englishtown, NJ
07/29 - Vans Warped Tour - Pittsburgh, PA
07/30 - Vans Warped Tour - Cincinnati, OH
07/31 - Vans Warped Tour - Noblesville, IN
08/01 - Vans Warped Tour - Milwaukee, WI
08/02 - Vans Warped Tour - Chicago, IL
08/03 - Vans Warped Tour - Shakopee, Minnesota
08/05 - Vans Warped Tour - Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
08/06 - Vans Warped Tour - Calgary Alberta
08/08 - Rock the Desert - Midland, TX
08/10 - Vans Warped Tour - Portland, OR
08/13 - Vans Warped Tour - Fresno , CA
08/14 - Vans Warped Tour - Chula Vista, CA
08/16 - Vans Warped Tour - Marysville, CA
08/17 - Vans Warped Tour - Carson, CA
08/22 - Hope Church - Cordova, TN
08/23 - En Fuego - Clanton, AL
08/29 - LifeLight Festival - Sioux Falls, SD
08/30 - Lifelight Festival - Sioux Falls, SD