“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. ..
Thanks so much for supporting our band! We need all the help we can get. Please take a second to come by and listen to our new songs we posted. If you like what you hear, leave us a comment. We want to know what you think.
Don't forget to swing by our page on December 1st. We're going to have some great news and a huge update.
Dylan has produced our first full length album and we are near completion!
Just wanted to drop you a comment letting you know that we have uploaded 3 songs from our new album on our page! come take a listen and let us know what you think! hope all is well and hope to hear from you soon!
Also, looks like our release party will be mid october so keep a look out!
Thanks a million and I hope you enjoy the new material and sound of NeverTree
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