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Tiger Army is ready to pounce on A.F.I. tour |
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Written by Sierra Countis/Tahoe World
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Monday, 28 August 2006 |
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 Throughout the past decade the number 13 has been lucky for psychobilly band Tiger Army — with one band member shot and several others only staying around for a short while — is it the “Never Die” band motto that keeps up the momentum?
Nick 13, Tiger Army singer/guitarist/songwriter says the tightness with the group’s latest lineup only improves every time the band takes the stage.
“I guess for me what kept me going was that there wasn’t anything else to compare with Tiger Army,” he says.
Standing strong in 2006: Jeff Roffredo plays the stand-up bass/ vocals with James Meza on drums, frontman Nick 13 has endured a tumultuous ride since forming Tiger Army in 1996. Probably the most shocking turn of events occurred in 2003 when former Tiger Army drummer Fred Hell was shot four times in a home invasion robbery and wasn’t able to rejoin the band because of health issues.
The three members of Tiger Army have been together since 2004 and have formed a camaraderie fans can see when the group’s performing.
When the band was given the opportunity to tour with high school friends A.F.I.,“it was something we couldn’t pass up.”
Relaxing at home in Los Angeles, Nick 13 says the band prepares for the upcoming tour kind of last minute, but remembering how to pack a suitcase is something the band’s very familiar with.
The tour kicks off in Bend, Ore. on Sept. 3 with already sold-out shows in Santa Cruz, Irvine, and Long Beach. The edgy punk rockers will take the stage at the Lawlor Events Center in Reno on Tuesday, Sept. 5 with Saosin and headliner A.F.I.
At the Long Beach venue Tiger Army will play for an audience of almost 13,000 - it’s largest audience yet, Nick 13 says.
 “Each show really depends on the crowd,” he says. “The intimacy (of a small show) that’s cool.”
And when Tiger Army’s not on stage it’s likely the guys will be hanging out with long-time friends A.F.I.
“We all sort of do the same thing,” Nick 13 says. “Sometimes you grow apart when you’re not in the same career.”
Nick 13 has know A.F.I. guitarist Jade Puget since junior high and A.F.I. drummer Adam Carson played drums on Tiger Army’s first album. As teenagers in Mendocino, Calif., he and Puget were band members in Influence 13, and how Nick 13 got the number in his name, he says.
Tiger Army’s 2004 album, “III: Ghost Tigers Rise” delivered a strong sound with songs like “Ghostfire” and “Roses of the Devil’s Garden” showcasing Nick 13’s dark, dramatic lyrics with an old school punk feel.
Inspired by “the natural world — especially the night and sometimes the supernatural world,” he says he examines the forgotten life that lurks in the shadows or that may linger “on the edge of everyday existence.”
 Tiger Army will debut an unreleased track, “LunaTone” on tour that shows a melodic new direction, Nick 13 says. He’s been in the process of writing new material for over a year and says Tiger Army is looking for studios to get started recording a new album for 2007. Calling himself “kind of a perfectionist,” Nick 13 says he didn’t want to slap a record together that might only have two decent songs, so he takes his time when he writes.
He’s been listening to “Killing Lights” off A.F.I.’s latest album, “Decemberunderground” and early '50s and '60s rock ‘n’ roll tunes from Joe Meek, who had a dark past which piqued his interest, Nick 13 says.
Tickets for the Sept. 5 show at Lawlor Events Center in Reno are available online at www.Tickets.com or call the Lawlor Events Center at 775-784-4444. Tickets are general admission and cost $25 in advance. The show starts at 7:30 p.m. with Saosin, Tiger Army, and A.F.I.
Courtesy photos by Kevin Estrada
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Last Updated ( Monday, 28 August 2006 )
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