Virtual Merch Table 3 today, June 5 - All profits to Black Visions Collective

Hello, friends.

First, an acknowledgment of the lives lost to police brutality and racist violence. Breonna Taylor would have been 27 today. Her absence is unacceptable.
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We are going to do this a little differently today. Today is the third installment of Bandcamp waiving artist fees; we're grateful to them for this generous effort. We have appreciated everyone's kind support of our new record. Today, if you buy anything from us on Bandcamp, the profits will be donated to a group called Black Visions Collective in Minnesota, the home state of George Floyd. Their organizational vision is as follows:
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Since 2017, Black Visions Collective has been putting into practice the lessons learned from organizations before us in order to shape a political home for Black people across Minnesota. We aim to center our work in healing and transformative justice principles, intentionally develop our organization's core “DNA” to ensure sustainability, and develop Minnesota’s emerging Black leadership to lead powerful campaigns. By building movements from the ground up with an integrated model, we are creating the conditions for long term success and transformation.

Black Visions Collective envisions a world in which ALL Black Lives Matter. We use the guidance and brilliance of our ancestors as well as the teachings of our own experiences to pursue our commitment to dismantling systems of oppression and violence. We are determined in our pursuit of dignity and equity for all.
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If you feel moved to buy our work today, that's who you'll be supporting. Thanks for your consideration.

Second, for today, all of our digital releases will be "pay what you want." If you have it to give, please do, but if you don't, we'd like to remove the financial barrier to the extent that we're able. Our record, Hold On To Yourself, is dedicated to anyone living with—or who has lived with—abuse. We understand that persons living in abusive situations might not have access to funds, due to age or financial abuse. We'd like the music to be free to them at this time.

Last, we appreciate all who virtually attended our first crack at a live stream last month! We had a great time! We are partnering with two independent venues for live streams this month. They are listed below. If you'd like to be updated about our virtual shows in the future, make sure you're following us on Bandsintown; the shows will be listed there.

We will be pausing the essay series, About the Songs, for the time being. There are more pressing actions to be taken in the name of equality, equity, and accountability.

We hope you are well, and that you will take whatever actions you can to be anti-racist going forward. It requires all of us. We will do the same, in humble service to the memories of Breonna Taylor, George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, Tony McDade, and the many others whose lives have been taken—the number is too great. It is unacceptable. Black lives matter.

We appreciate your continued support, now and always.
In solidarity,

FC

Updated live stream date, May 15 // New essay series about the songs!

Hello, friends!

You may have noticed that we didn't go live this past Friday as planned. We didn't have power! Nashville was hit by two storms back-to-back on Sunday and Monday of that week. We lost power during the first one and were without it for the week. So, we're trying again this week! Join us on Instagram on May 15 at 7 pm CST. We're going to play the new EP, Hold On To Yourself!

Second, also starting this Friday, Buick is going to be doing a weekly series of essays here on our site called "About the Songs." She'll be going through the individual song on the new record, talking about what inspired and shaped the work, and also getting into the recording process. So check back!

We appreciate your continued support and hope you're alright out there!

See you Friday!

FC

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Virtual Merch Table 2 today, May 1 // Live Stream show May 8!

Hello!

We hope this finds you safe and well, friends! What a month, right? We're alright. We're home in Nashville, we've been sheltered in place for roughly six weeks now—not at all what we expected, that's for sure. We're writing to say hello, to give you some updates, and to share some media!

First of all, huge love and thanks to all who have supported the release of our new record, Hold On To Yourself! We're so honored to have this community on our side. We know it's a transitional time (at best) for many, so we're floored by the solidarity. Bandcamp is once again waiving their artist fees today (May 1st), so we're letting you know that if you buy anything today, it helps us recoup costs for the record production and lost touring revenue. Also, Buick has been making some cool fabric masks, and all merch orders made today come with one bonus fabric mask! Photos below!

We hope you've seen the video for "The Enemy I Know," but if not, it's also below. And there's a cool in-studio video of us playing "Tuxedo Mean Wolf" live at Sound Emporium in Nashville, courtesy of Meinl Cymbals! We shot it last year when you could still do such a thing. Enjoy!

Last, we're going live on Instagram a week from today, on May 8 at 7 pm CST! We've been working out the logistics of live-streaming a show at full volume, and we think we're about ready! Follow us there to catch the show. Can't wait to see you all from there.

Thanks so much!

We love and appreciate you,

Buick and Jerry

Friendship Commanders

HOLD ON TO YOURSELF IS OUT TODAY!

Big day!
Hold On To Yourself is out in the world today! You can stream or purchase it everywhere here! We're so grateful to everyone who helped us make and release this work, and to you for your support. We hope you love it! Audiofemme did a wonderful piece about the record and our process yesterday, and there's also an interview with us. 

We released the video for "The Enemy I Know" earlier this week, too! The video was shot, edited and directed by Jerry. Performances by us, Ashley Wolfe, and Jay Tooke. Kerrang! listed it as one the Five Songs You Need to Hear Right Now on Monday! Watch it below!

This record is about resilience and autonomy, about living through it, about standing in who we are after the fact, about not being ruled by the shame. It was important for us to make, and we hope it's important for you to hear. There will be more to share in the coming weeks, but right now, we're just proud and happy to have the new work out. 

We want to say how much we appreciate you making space for our work in what is a truly scary, uncomfortable, and uncertain time. We're going to keep moving towards the future in every way we can, and we're super grateful you're making the trip with us. Hopefully, we'll see you all in person sooner than later.

Thanks so much! 
We love and appreciate you,
Buick and Jerry
Friendship Commanders

"The Enemy I Know" from the Hold On To Yourself EP by Friendship Commanders - out April 3, 2020 on Trimming The Shield Records. Starring Buick Audra, Jerry R...

SECOND SINGLE OUT TODAY: "ANYWHERE (FROM THE NAMELESS BRIDE)"

Hello, friends!
First, we hope you are well. It's an intense time to be a person right now and we feel it, too. We live in Nashville which was hit by tornadoes ten days ago. Much of the city is badly damaged, and that's on top of the virus outbreak we're all going through. It's a lot.

Still, the world keeps moving and we're trying to as well. The second single from our forthcoming EP is available everywhere today! Please enjoy "Anywhere (From the Nameless Bride)"! Please follow us on Spotify, and also check out the single premiere on Punk Rock Theory! The full EP, Hold On To Yourself, will be out on April 3rd via Trimming The Shield Records. There are cool limited purple 10" vinyl records, t-shirts just for this release, and custom neckties! Pre-order here!

Engineers on this record were Jerry Roe, Buick Audra, and Zaq Reynolds, with assistant engineering by Matt Luthie. The music was tracked between Fort Knockout and Sound Emporium in Nashville TN. It was mixed by Kurt Ballou at GodCity in Salem MA; Brad Boatright mastered it at Audiosiege in Portland OR.

A note about our upcoming tour dates which are listed below: we are committed to them and plan on seeing them through. We will be monitoring the situation closely, and acting rationally with intelligence, caution, and logic. We're grateful that these venues want to have us, and we understand fully that none of them can withstand the loss of income from show cancellations. We've put a lot of work, time, and money into this release, and are committed to it getting the biggest reach that it possibly can. We're also very aware of the concern and potential danger that this presents. As such, we ask that everyone be safe, responsible, and if you're well and able, come see us. 

In the meantime, enjoy the rock music. Share it if you love it! We love and appreciate you.

With profound gratitude,

Buick and Jerry
Friendship Commanders

HOLD ON TO YOURSELF

SPRING TOUR DATES 

March 20 - Atlanta GA - 529

April 04 - Murfreesboro TN - Media Rerun

April 10 - Knoxville, TN - Club Fungus

April 12 - Louisville, KY - Magnolia Bar

April 13 - Chicago, IL - Reggie’s Music Joint

April 14 - Hamtramck, MI - Small’s

April 15 - Columbus, OH - Space Bar

April 16 - Youngstown, OH - Westside Bowl

April 18 - Cambridge, MA - Hardcore Stadium

April 19 - Philadelphia, PA - Kung Fu Necktie

April 23 - Raleigh, NC - Slim’s

April 26 - Pompano Beach, FL - Lozer Lounge

NEW MUSIC OUT TODAY! Single today, EP in April!

We have new music for you today! Please enjoy "The Enemy I Know" from our forthcoming EP, HOLD ON TO YOURSELF. Thanks to Everything Is Noise for premiering it. It will be available across all streaming platforms tomorrow, February 14.

Engineers on this record were Jerry Roe, Buick Audra, and Zaq Reynolds, with assistant engineering by Matt Luthie. The music was tracked between Fort Knockout and Sound Emporium in Nashville TN. It was mixed by Kurt Ballou at GodCity in Salem MA; Brad Boatright mastered it at Audiosiege in Portland OR.

Our new record is available for pre-order today. The vinyl is a very limited pressing 10" on purple vinyl, 45 RPM. There are bundles available with two different t-shirt designs that are specific to this record, and also a necktie designed exclusively for this release. Buick designed and made them and there are only twelve! Grab them while they're available. 

This record and this song are dedicated to abuse survivors. We see you. We hear you. We support you. Hold on to yourself.

With profound gratitude,

Buick and Jerry
Friendship Commanders

LIVE VIDEO FOR MEINL CYMBALS + ONE MORE SHOW IN 2019!

Hey!
Huge thanks to all who made it out to the shows we just did in the Western half of the country! Rad to see folks we already knew and meet some folks we didn't! We have one more show this year, on November 20th! We'll be at Media Rerun in Murfreesboro TN for a loud and heavy night of music. Come on out if you're around - and it's all ages!

We're thrilled to share this new video we did for Meinl Cymbals! Enjoy this instrumental version of our song, "HORRIFY," tracked at Sound Emporium in Nashville! We're honored to be included in their series about their artists and grateful for the support they show Jerry!

Also, we have some new purple lightning logo shirts as well as some more of the purple palms shirts! Only a handful left after the tour, so grab them while they're good!

We're focusing on new music this Fall; hope to have it to you before long!

We appreciate your continued support and attention!
B. & JR, FC

OCTOBER + NOVEMBER TOUR DATES!

Friends!
We're finally coming back West! It's been two years since our last tour to that coast and we're so excited. We haven't played the BILL songs for you yet! We haven't brought you the purple palms tees! We haven't shared our brand new unrecorded work with you!

BUT WE WILL. OH YES, WE WILL.

Our upcoming tour dates are below. Please do follow us on Bandsintown to get updates about added shows! Also note the local show this Friday at Little Harpeth Brewing. Should be a banger.

See you all very soon!
We're on your side; keep hope alive,
B. & JR, FC

Image by Kurt Grenig | VAMP

Image by Kurt Grenig | VAMP

TOUR DATES

10.04.19 // Little Harpeth Brewing // Nashville TN

10.16.19 // Zephyr // Santa Fe NM

10.17.19 // The Rhythm Room // Phoenix AZ

10.19.19 // The Lexington Bar // Los Angeles CA

10.20.19 // Elbo RoomJack London // Oakland CA

10.23.19 // Jub Jub's Thirst Parlor // Reno NV

10.26.19 // Funhouse // Seattle WA

10.27.19 // Hawthorne Hideaway // Portland OR

10.28.19 // Ranch Club // Boise ID

10.30.19 // Streets of London // Denver CO

11.01.19 // Click's Live // Tyler TX

11.02.19 // Division Brewing // Arlington TX

11.04.19 // Poor Boys Bar // New Orleans LA

UPDATED JULY + AUGUST TOUR DATES!

Hi there!
We had a terrific time at all of our June shows! Thanks, everyone! A special highlight was playing for the young people of the Southern Girls Rock Camp last week. They flipped! We had so much fun, we could barely keep it together and play well. We're so grateful that they asked us back to be part of their rad and inclusive program for a second year!

We have some updates for the upcoming tour! We're now playing Brooklyn Bazaar on July 29th. We're also excited about the Nashville show at the end of the run on August 3rd with fellow local heavies, Howling Giant. Save the date, Nash! 

If you'd like to receive notifications about when we're coming to a city near you, follow us on Bandsintown! Looking forward to seeing everyone!

As always, we're on your side. Keep hope alive

-B. & JR, FC

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UPCOMING TOUR DATES:
7.21.19 // Highlands Tap Room // Louisville KY

7.22.19 // Cobra Lounge // Chicago IL

7.23.19 // Buzzbin // Canton OH

7.24.19 // Sanctuary // Detroit MI

7.25.19 // Westside Bowl // Youngstown OH

7.26.19 // Milk Boy // Philadelphia PA

7.27.19 // O’Brien’s Pub // Allston MA

7.28.19 // Apohadion Theater // Portland ME

7.29.19 // Brooklyn Bazaar // Brooklyn NY

7.30.19 // Wonderland // Richmond VA

7.31.19 // Slim’s // Raleigh NC

8.01.19 // Caledonia Lounge // Athens GA

8.02.19 // The Cave // Chapel Hill NC

8.03.19 // Little Harpeth Brewing // Nashville TN



JUNE, JULY, & AUGUST TOUR DATES!

Hey there!

We’re heading out for some tour dates tomorrow, and our July and August dates were just announced this morning! Very exciting! Posters and complete dates below. Hope to see some familiar and new faces out there! Posters and complete dates below!

Rock.

-FC

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UPCOMING TOUR DATES:

6.08.19 // Firehouse // Birmingham AL

6.09.19 // 529 // Atlanta GA

6.10.19 // High Watt // Nashville TN

6.12.19 // Snug Harbor // Charlotte NC

6.13.19 // Sly Grog Lounge // Asheville NC

6.29.19 // Mag Bar // Louisville KY

7.21.19 // Highlands Tap Room // Louisville KY

7.22.19 // Cobra Lounge // Chicago IL

7.23.19 // Buzzbin // Canton OH

7.24.19 // Sanctuary // Detroit MI

7.25.19 // Westside Bowl // Youngstown OH

7.26,19 // Milk Boy // Philadelphia PA

7.27.19 // O’Brien’s Pub // Allston MA

7.28.19 // Apohadion Theater // Portland ME

7.29.19 // Saint Vitus // Brooklyn NY

7.30.19 // Wonderland // Richmond VA

7.31.19 // Slim’s // Raleigh NC

8.01.19 // Caledonia Lounge // Athens GA

8.02.19 // Local 506 // Chapel Hill NC