“Our Friend the Atom” was coined by Lance Konnerth, who has been a long time collaborator with fellow knob turner Shannon Edgar. Our Friend the Atom was actually a book and short film made in the 1950s used as propaganda for atomic energy. The film features a cast of cartoon atoms and characters, and was concocted by Disney for the U.S. Government to help spin positivity for America’s nuclear program.
Lance and Shannon had been in a band called Amory together some years back, and had ventured out on tour with Vertical Horizon during this tenure. Sean Hurley was a long-time friend from Boston, and also happened to be Vertical Horizon’s bass player. When Amory decided to pack it in, Our Friend the Atom was the next project Shannon and Lance spawned, for which they recruited Sean Hurley to play some bass. Sean contributed to the self-titled debut album released in 2003, and helped out on some touring in support of this record. Songs from this debut have been used on Dawsons Creek, Beautiful People, and other television shows. Sean had also been instrumental in recruiting his amigo and fellow Bostonian Craig Macintyre to play drums for OFTA. Craig provided the perfect groove and vibe to compliment the group as they headed into the studio. Bryan Cook, another friend from Boston and accomplished engineer/mixer, helped the crew engineer and co-produce the debut album in Los Angeles. There was some touring and expeditions, and somehow a few years went by in the process.
With the current level of anxiety present in the political climate of war and terrorism, it is only appropriate to expect more political commentary from an artists realizations and perceptions. The album title, A Fury In Your Words, the second effort from Our Friend the Atom, is a good indication into this affirmation. Oil has become the most important theme of the 21st century and Poison Well serves as a metaphor for oil and the respective money and power conundrum. Camouflaged In Red speaks to the motives and morals of mankind, and their relations to a higher power and justice. The reggae inspired, History Keep Repeating is reflective of its title and chorus, in that mankind continues to make the same mistakes and atrocities, ignoring the lessons of history.
In a bigger picture, the subject matter of the songs make us question and ponder life in general. Curtain Call, although at the surface talks about the challenges of a relationship, on a deeper level it explores happiness and the ability to find this in our daily lives. The song, Every Moment, whose incarnation begun on OFTAs first record, is a more realized and produced version, invoking this same universal theme of fulfillment and happiness. The last song on the record, Displaced Smile, is a relationship song which ends with an extended explosion and guitar solo, some of Lances best work to date.
As challenges continue to mount in a swiftly changing environment for entertainment companies throughout the world, the only constant that will survive is the notion of quality content worthy of consumption. Usually art that is spawned and nurtured by the heart survives the test of time, fads, and opinion. In this fashion, Our Friend the Atom has continued to make records and music that will inspire and provoke listeners for years to come. ..
Buy these songs and make out with one of us for free! (Coupon required, offer excludes those 55 +, offer expires 12.1.09). iTunes link: http://miniurl.com/21328
Buy these songs and make out with one of us for free! (Coupon required, offer excludes those 55 +, offer expires 12.1.09). iTunes link: http://miniurl.com/21328
If you could, please spare a moment to enjoy the newest work from Oakland-based musician Dave Smallen. His new album titled 'Everything Changes and Nothing Changes' will be available everywhere on December 1st.
Click on the flyer to take a listen:
Hi our friend the atom! Heaven & Earth is on hiatus now as Stuart Smith and Richie Onori have joined forces with bassist Steve Priest to reform "Sweet". For those of you unfamiliar with the band, Sweet originally formed in the early 70s and went on to sell over 40,000,000 albums with 11 International Top Ten Hits such as "Ballroom Blitz", "Little Willy", "Love is Like Oxygen", "Fox on the Run", "Teenage Rampage", "Action", "Blockbuster", "Hellraiser" and many others.
This reincarnation of the band reformed last year, playing their first show in June, and went on to play festivals throughout Canada and the States and had played to over 300,000 people before the year was out. During this tour last year they recorded a live CD available on Amazon entitled "Sweet, Live in America" which has received rave reviews - pick up a copy and please Add Sweet As Your Friend On Myspace!
Hi our friend the atom! Heaven & Earth is on hiatus now as Stuart Smith and Richie Onori have joined forces with bassist Steve Priest to reform "Sweet". For those of you unfamiliar with the band, Sweet originally formed in the early 70s and went on to sell over 40,000,000 albums with 11 International Top Ten Hits such as "Ballroom Blitz", "Little Willy", "Love is Like Oxygen", "Fox on the Run", "Teenage Rampage", "Action", "Blockbuster", "Hellraiser" and many others.
This reincarnation of the band reformed last year, playing their first show in June, and went on to play festivals throughout Canada and the States and had played to over 300,000 people before the year was out. During this tour last year they recorded a live CD available on Amazon entitled "Sweet, Live in America" which has received rave reviews - pick up a copy and please Add Sweet As Your Friend On Myspace!
Post Halloween depression? Sure cure is the FREE Pretzel madness at the FOUNDRY this Wednesday night. 9-11pm!
Last scheduled Los Angeles show of 2009! Then we're off to complete the SMILE! Tour.
7465 Melrose Ave. 9pm. FREEEEEEE!
NEW SCREAM CLUB and ELECTROSEXUAL VIDEO featuring Mz Sunday Luv and Zoe Vermillion If you like this and want to know more about what we are doing, PLEASE sign up for our Mailing LIst <a href="http://www.quantcast.com/p-05---xoNhTXVc" ta
hi, how are you doing? i wanted to stop by your page and let you know what has been going on in my life.....the new album i just finished with charlie sexton in austin is available for pre-sale by clicking the banner at the top of my page.....i just got back from a show in dallas and i am heading to chicago for a show in 2 days....lots of great things are happening.....we just shot a new video in nashville, it is the single from the album .......hope you will check out both.....here is the link to the video.... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gmBK1Ax1K68
hi, how are you doing? i wanted to stop by your page and let you know what has been going on in my life.....the new album i just finished with charlie sexton in austin is available for pre-sale by clicking the banner at the top of my page.....i just got back from a show in dallas and i am heading to chicago for a show in 2 days....lots of great things are happening.....we just shot a new video in nashville, it is the single from the album .......hope you will check out both.....here is the link to the video.... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gmBK1Ax1K68
I also just released a new funky album "Outcries from a Sea of Red" which is now available! You can preview and order/download by clicking this link to CD Baby:
If you dig it, please support my music by purchasing the music through my website or CD Baby. Only you can support original and independent music!