Andrew Jerkson Jerkwad the Blog

An incredibly flattering analysis of our songwriting :-) ...

Wed, 27 Mar 2013 23:59:42 -0700

An incredibly flattering analysis of our songwriting :-) thanks so much ELMH!!

‘Heartilation’ by Andrew Jackson Jihad

Despite its tendencies in a commercial outlet to be just a genre specifically intended for going wild, throwing shit, jumping off stages and generally having a good time, the nature of punk has always, at its core, been about saying the wrong thing. And about the discussion of matters far too many people are committed to glazing over and building a wall around. A lot of people who would consider themselves ‘punk’, as such, try to be outspoken members of a society that they do not believe to be functioning well. This kind of person, perhaps fighting through a cruel youth, has learnt to see the world by the harsh reality it can hold. It’s fair to say that most people do not do things for the right reasons. And it is this curiosity and fascination with tragedy and the mistakes that people make which drives a lot of people to want to either do something practical about it, in the form of protest and activism or to want to write about it and shout about it in hopes to educate the world, and cast light over the dirt that mankind refuses to acknowledge. And I would say that Andrew Jackson Jihad are very much one of the many proud barers of that torch.

For those unaware, Andrew Jackson Jihad are primarily a two-piece, consisting of Sean Bonnette and Ben Gallaty. They are mainly known for writing socially analytical, introspective and politically scathing songs to the key of folk punk. They have the backbone and spirit of punk, but often incorporate folk instrumentation with acoustic guitars (very present in their early material), mandolins, violins, stand up bass, horns and just the general chord progression you would find in a folk song.

I first got into the band just soon after they released their last album, ‘Knife Man’. I was struck by how earnest it was, how personal it was and how conscious it was. Personally, I always strive to be as aware of myself and the world around me as much as I feel I can, and KM definitely had a similar mentality within its content. From it’s tender but passionate songs that took apart the human condition. I identified with Sean Bonnette, the primary voice of AJJ. His honest view of himself in relation to the world consisted of him concluding many times that despite how much hate he had for himself most of the time, he couldn’t see the world as much better. Struck with neurosis, paranoia, depression, and a general inability to find comfort in purely existing, throughout his songs, you see almost a stream of understanding of who he is and the many things he thinks about himself and the world. Plus, whenever you hear him sing about these problems, you can tell he really means it. Every word sang is delivered with such sincerity and you realize that this is a very intelligent man, struggling to make sense of everything, bearing his soul to the world, and almost breaking down doing it.

His intelligence is seen through many things: the way in which he discusses his inner wars, his hate for how evil men can be, how unforgiving circumstances can be to the innocent and his self awareness for everything he says - his self esteem and his inner obligation to discuss the things he feels he needs to sing about are constantly at war, but always come out at the end in a very clever way. His wit defines that, he knows exactly how he sounds when he appears to preach, and he is the first one to question himself after he has made a claim or come to a conclusion. Some could say that AJJ could be described by the line (from ‘Heartilation’), from this song: “If all I see is the worst in everything, that’s all I’m gonna get”. He is constantly trying to better himself and his understanding of the world, but he always feels himself falling short. Always burning to make the wrong right.

I love the instrumentation throughout their catalogue, and it may be one of my favourite things about them. It’s less notable on ‘Heartilation’, the track that I have highlighted today, but is definitely explored throughout the rest of the album of which it is lifted, being ‘Can’t Maintain’. The drive of this song defines the passion that the band has. Despite how sentimental and reflective their songs can be, ultimately, their energy and intention is most comfortable in a song like this, full of punk spirit and charge. I think it is this type of performance that lets the listener know just how much the subject matter matters to the band; its immediacy and tempo grabbing you and making you pay attention to just what they want you to know about. Things that matter.

- ELMH

Sean and Ian’s Chicago show is sold out, so we’ve decided to do a 4 pm matinee!...

Tue, 12 Feb 2013 14:26:21 -0700

Sean and Ian’s Chicago show is sold out, so we’ve decided to do a 4 pm matinee!

http://8amchicago.org/sean-bonnette-ian-graham-april-10/

Two Shows have been added to the Sean and Ian tour, the Black Sheep Cafe in Springfield, IL and...

Fri, 08 Feb 2013 14:42:59 -0700

Two Shows have been added to the Sean and Ian tour, the Black Sheep Cafe in Springfield, IL and Frequency in Madison WI http://www.facebook.com/andrewjacksonjihad/app_123966167614127 …

Tickets for all of the shows that have tickets are on sale now. If you’re going to the Chicago show, please buy your ticket fast, because they are limited to 65. :-)

Hi Gang! Sean here. In April, my good friend Ian Graham and I...

Wed, 06 Feb 2013 17:24:00 -0700

Hi Gang! Sean here. In April, my good friend Ian Graham and I are going on tour.

On this tour I will be playing lots of different kinds of songs. Old, new, covers, deep cuts, etc… There will probably be a clipboard at the merch table where you can write in requests. Mark from Anxiety Machine Records will be there too. It will be a truly fantastic voyage.

Dates and stuff can be found here: CLICK THIS

4.10 @ 8AM (Chicago, IL) (Presale Only) Tickets

4.11 @ House Café (Dekalb, IL) Tickets

4.13 @ Blue Moose (Iowa City, IA) Tickets

4.15 @ Firebird (St. Louis, MO)

4.16 @ The Owlery (Bloomington, IN) *With Ghost Mice!

4.17 @ 222 Ormsby (Pittsburgh, PA)

4.19 @ The Champ (Lemoyne, PA) Tickets

4.20 @ Stevens Institute of Technology (Free for Stevens students, $5 general public)

4.21 @ Ottobar (Baltimore, MD)

4.22 @ Firehouse 13 (Providence, RI) Tickets

4.23 @ Great Scott (Allston, MA) Tickets

4.24 @ Tralf Music Studio Stage (Buffalo, NY) Tickets

4.25 @ The Basement (Columbus, OH) Tickets

4.27 @ Mac’s Bar (Lansing, MI) Tickets

CHEAP GIRLS: Ian's solo shows with Sean Bonnette

Wed, 06 Feb 2013 17:23:34 -0700

CHEAP GIRLS: Ian's solo shows with Sean Bonnette:

cheapgirls:

Hey there,

I (Ian Graham) will be doing some shows all alone in April. My friend Sean Bonnette (he plays in Andrew Jackson Jihad) has invited me out for a simple, stripped down tour amongst two friends. Glad to have the opportunity - I think we’re going to have a good time playing for you all.

Matt Price can make anything look good. Minutes before knocking...

Tue, 08 Jan 2013 00:46:00 -0700

Matt Price can make anything look good. Minutes before knocking the wind out of myself.

priceyhot:

Sean Bonnette, FS rock, Scottsdale AZ, 2012.

We’re not that different after all @jeffrosenstock...

Sat, 17 Nov 2012 14:46:32 -0700

We’re not that different after all @jeffrosenstock @littletimmkins

Welcome to America! @jeffrosenstock @anxietymachine

Wed, 07 Nov 2012 20:12:32 -0700

Welcome to America! @jeffrosenstock @anxietymachine

Played Detroit last night and my amp magically turned into a...

Mon, 05 Nov 2012 11:20:22 -0700

Played Detroit last night and my amp magically turned into a Juggalo. Miracles, bro!

PLAYING EUROPA TONIGHT IN BROOKLYN

Fri, 02 Nov 2012 09:16:00 -0700

ANDREW JACKSON JIHAD/ FUTURE OF THE LEFT/ JEFF ROSENSTOCK

98-104 MESEROLE AVE/ 8:30 PM/ $10 / ALL AGES

TICKET LINK

GET YR TICKET FROM THE POISSON ROUGE SHOW REFUNDED.

THIS SHOW IS GOING TO RULE, PLEASE SPREAD THE WORD, SORRY ABOUT THE CAPS.

Van practice on the N I85

Tue, 30 Oct 2012 10:11:54 -0700

Van practice on the N I85

Hi Gang! Our tour starts today in Austin, TX at Red 7, we are...

Thu, 25 Oct 2012 10:10:07 -0700

Hi Gang! Our tour starts today in Austin, TX at Red 7, we are very excited.

We are playing as a 5 piece band on this tour, and we will be whipping out new music as well as rearranged “classics” that we have never played live as a full band before. We sincerely hope you can attend. Here are the dates, yet again

Happy 200,000th mile to our van Doom 2 and 27th birthday to singer guy Sean Bonnette!

See you soon, hopefully!

The wonderful journalists at Noisey premiered our video for Fucc...

Fri, 21 Sep 2012 13:22:54 -0700

The wonderful journalists at Noisey premiered our video for Fucc the Devil today! The video was directed by the wonderful Andrew Seward and features Mark of Anxiety Machine Records in his big video debut! Please enjoy and feel free to share, we hope to achieve Flawless Virality

thanks!

-sean

Our Fest show information is up at www.thefestfl.com !

Wed, 05 Sep 2012 01:13:48 -0700

Hi gang, we are playing some shows with Against Me! and Joyce Manor this week, please look on the left of this internet page to see the dates.

In other news, The Fest’s schedule has been announced. Here is some information about our show:

8 Seconds

11:00pm - 12:00am- Frank Turner

10:00pm - 10:40pm- Titus Andronicus

9:00pm - 9:40pm- Andrew Jackson Jihad

8:00pm - 8:40pm- Laura Stevenson and the Cans

7:00pm - 7:40pm- Bomb The Music Industry

6:00pm - 6:40pm- The Front Bottoms

5:00pm - 5:40pm- Paul Baribeau

4:00pm - 4:40pm- Cheap Girls

3:00pm - 3:40pm- The Wild

Doors: 2:30
Price: $20 or Free w/ FEST 11 Pass (100 walk up sales available)
18 and up

We just filmed something!

good night.

-sean

New ROAR video by Andrew Almendarez! Also Knife Man Cassette...

Fri, 24 Aug 2012 12:06:00 -0700

New ROAR video by Andrew Almendarez !

Also Knife Man Cassette represses are available from Lauren Records. Thanks Aaron!

Don’t forget, lot’s of touring with awesome bands too!

U.S. Tour with Future of the Left

Wed, 22 Aug 2012 08:16:00 -0700

Hi Gang,

We are honored and excited to be going on tour this Fall with Future of the Left. They are very, very good.

We will be playing as a full band, with Deacon Batchelor on drums and Preston Bryant on guitar and keys. Deacon and Preston fucking rule. Anxiety Machine will run the merch table.

Here are the dates; ticket links and additional excitement and news to come:

10/25 – Austin, TX – Red 7 (inside) (no FOTL yet)
10/26 - 10/28 – Gainesville, FL – The Fest (no FOTL yet)

The following dates are with Future of the Left!

10/30 – Towson, MD – Recher Theatre
10/31 – Boston, MA – The Sinclair
11/01 – Philadelphia, PA – Union Transfer
11/02 – New York, NY – Le Poisson Rouge
11/03 – Cleveland, OH – The Grog Shop
11/04 – Detroit, MI – The Magic Stick
11/05 – Chicago IL – The Bottom Lounge
11/06 – Minneapolis, MN – Triple Rock Social Club
11/08 – Denver, CO – Marquis Theatre
11/09 – Salt Lake City, UT – Kilby Court
11/10 – Boise, ID – The Venue
11/14 – San Francisco, CA – Slim’s
11/15 – Los Angeles, CA – Echoplex
11/16 – San Diego, CA – Che Café
11/17 – San Diego, CA – Che Café
11/18 – Phoenix, AZ – The Crescent Ballroom

-sean

For those of you who live near Phoenix and like fun, there are a...

Sat, 18 Aug 2012 14:13:14 -0700

For those of you who live near Phoenix and like fun, there are a couple of great shows at The Trunk Space (1506 NW Grand Ave) this weekend.

Saturday (tonight!): Dogbreth and Dragons tour kick-off with Empire of the Bear and Diners. I think the Wanda Junes are playing too.

Sunday (tomorrow!): Bomb the Music Industry with ROAR, Liam and the Ladies and Robot (Re)pair

If you don’t like fun, by all means please stay at home.

We’re playing Trunk Space tomorrow, August 4th with...

Fri, 03 Aug 2012 14:40:26 -0700

We’re playing Trunk Space tomorrow, August 4th with Minibosses, Treasure Mammal, ROAR, Fathers Day and Space Alien Donald.

Okay, you don’t have to be in school to buy this stuff. We...

Tue, 17 Jul 2012 12:06:00 -0700

Okay, you don’t have to be in school to buy this stuff. We just needed an excuse to shamelessly self-promote the store. If you’re in Phoenix, go to Cobra Skulls and Hour of the Wolf at The Underground on Thursday. Yay!

West Coast Tour with Against Me! and Joyce Manor

Tue, 03 Jul 2012 14:55:56 -0700

We are excited to announce that we are playing 5 shows with Against Me! and Joyce Manor this September. We have been Against Me! fans for a very long time, and even though we just went on tour with Joyce Manor, we can’t get enough of those fucking guys. Here’s the dates:

September 3, 2012 - Sacramento, CA - Ace of Spades

September 5, 2012 - Portland, OR - Hawthorne Theatre (Musicfest NW)

September 6, 2012 - Seattle, WA - El Corazon

September 8, 2012 - San Luis Obispo, CA - SLO Brewing Co.

September 9, 2012 - Santa Cruz, CA - The Catalyst

The last time AJJ, JM, and Andrew from Against Me! hung out, THIS HAPPENED Who knows what will happen this time?!

Tickets will be available soon, apologies if this post goes to the already thoroughly inundated Facepages and Twizzlers, I’m old and don’t know how to “surf the net.”

-sean