Everyone knows there’s strength in numbers. Especially when it comes to winged birds. Birds that know how to rock.
Brought together in 2008 by their association with the world of Portland pinball, and local group CFF (Crazy Flipper Fingers), bassist Mystery Mark Watson, drummer Sodapop Josh Stohl, keyboardist Shelly Scoop Devine, guitarist Dave Rand and guitarist/vocalist Jason America united as Federation of Eagles to launch their own brand of garage-rockin’ beats.
And so it has been. FOE has already staked their place in the annals of Portland music lore by unleashing explosive sets of musical wonder to audiences. It was in their first show, a benefit for a close friend and CFF member that had been severely injured in a motorcycle crash, that the Federation truly came to life. Showing brash defiance in every beat they played, FOE also proved a smooth machine, capable of exhibiting every emotion a song should display. At times, delightfully manic. At others, delightfully cool and composed.
Stohl manages to whip listeners into submission with his steady banging of the drums, while Watson plugs the room with confident bass beats. Devine is not to be outdone, pecking away at the keys with nothing but fervor and love, while Rand and America’s fierce guitar licks ricochet from wall to wall, sending shivers down the crowd’s backs.
Together, each of the group’s musicians devise an ingenious noise like no one has done before, one that varies happily between fast claps and slow rhythms. All of this seen on the band’s upcoming album, a powerful debut packed with jaw-busting good lyrics and melodies. Released this spring, the album is already set to burn listener’s houses down. With awesome.
The future of this band is yet to be determined, however, and that makes no one happier than the band, itself. Crazy collaborations and heroic shows to come, all are ready to make nothing but sweet, sweet music.
And in the sense of this bunch known as the Federation of Eagles…let the good times fly.
Nocona Boots
music critic BMI
Hey...you're getting big enough to get "thanks for the add" comments. Aww =) And I remember when the only fund thing there was to do was drink homebrew and stare at the cornfields.
Wow, that got outta hand quickly . . . Yeah, I've been meaning to talk to you about that, you might want to stay with a friend for a while or find a safe house, because you're probably wanted for murder.
Just stopping by to say hello and wish you well over the weekend and beyond. Maybe you could stop by and say hi too and give our music a space in your space. Much peace from Portland and The River Project
p.s. If you feel like spreading the rock a little further today, go to http://www.vh1.com/shows/series/top_20_countdown/vote.jhtml and vote for honeyhoney's Little Toy Gun video as many times as you can!
