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March On - A Tribute to our Troops
"March On"
A tribute to our troops
As many of you know, Blue Island Tribe had the opportunity to go overseas and entertain the troops in the summer of 2008. At first it was seen by the band as a great way to see the world but as the tour continued, the trip became much, much more. When we started the tour I had no idea how the troops would react to our particular blend of music. Please excuse my ignorance but I really thought they wouldn't respond well to a bunch of peace loving liberals like we are. Much to my surprise, we were greeted with open arms and instant acceptance. It really touched me deeply that we were given accolades and even awards from the people we were entertaining. Speaking of the people, we met so many awesome people and heard so many stories about life in the military that it affected each one us in many ways.
So as the tour continued in Japan, Korea, and Okinawa we began to realize that this wasn't just an opportunity to take a really cool trip but it meant a lot to the troops. You see, some of the troops had not had any kind of entertainment for months, some of the troops would be shipped off to war torn areas in a few days, and others had been away from their families for months and even years. |
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The troops we met were just hard working folks like you and me just trying to make a living and support families. Our show was just a chance for them to feel like they were back at home for at least a couple of hours.
Before I go on I would like to explain to you that "March On" is not advocating war by any means. This song was written as homage to all the excellent people we met and their will to simply "march on". I can see with new eyes that our military is an absolute necessity, not as a warring campaign but as a peace-keeping entity. With that in mind, we wanted to create a song that would reflect the inspiration of what the tour and the people we met meant to us. So, to all the troops past and present that put their life on the line to protect our freedoms, this one is for you. Thank you. Frey
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"MARCH ON"
AS WE MARCH ON DOWN THE ROAD
YOU CAN FEEL IT IN OUR SOULS
AS WE FORGE ON ALL THE WAY
THIS IS THE DAWN OF A NEW DAY
MARCH ON MARCH ON - THIS IS OUR MOVEMENT
MARCH ON MARCH ON - ITS TIME TO REPRESENT
MARCH ON MARCH ON - CAN YOU FEEL IT IN YOUR SOUL
MARCH ON MARCH ON - AS THE MUSIC TAKES CONTROL
THERE IS NO OTHER WAY
BUT TO MARCH ON THROUGH THE DAY
TRIBAL WARRIORS ALL THROUGHOUT THE LAND
WE MUST TAKE OUR STAND
MARCH ON MARCH ON - THIS IS OUR MOVEMENT
MARCH ON MARCH ON - ITS TIME TO REPRESENT
MARCH ON MARCH ON - CAN YOU FEEL IT IN YOUR SOUL
MARCH ON MARCH ON - AS THE MUSIC TAKES CONTROL
EVERYBODY IN THE STREETS NOW
AS WE HEAR THE CALL
FEEL THE RYTHMN OF THE DRUMS NOW
AS IT TAKES CONTROL
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Weekend Shows!! 10/14/2008
After picking "the brothers" up at the DM airport we headed up north to Cedar Falls for the night. We arrived around 5 p.m., loaded in, got the kinks out (practiced), and sound-checked around 8. We checked into the hotel and grabbed some dinner at the Pump Haus. Cedar Falls is always a fun town for us and with this being Homecoming weekend, it did not disappoint.
After a great night, we somehow managed to squeeze 8 people into one of the hotel rooms where no one got much sleep. We were up and back at The Hub around 11 to load out all of our gear, (the HuB is the only place that lets us do that thankfully), and we were on our way to Des Moines at Noon.
After a quick drive we arrived in time to catch a nap before we headed down for load in at 4. We couldn't have asked for better weather and a better night for an outdoor show. Upon arrival at the World Food Festival we were greeted with many friendly people all carrying walkie-talkies and looking important. We loaded in, did a quick mic check, said hello to lots of friends and family, and then kicked off the show. Festivals are fun but they always seem to breed chaos. During our set we, broke strings, broke a guitar pedal, lost a microphone, knocked over lights, and had to move the drums twice to prevent them from falling off the drum riser. All in all, it was an awesome show. We had a ton of fun, saw lots of old and new faces, and afterwards ate lots of really good "world" food.
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10/14/2008
Today is the Day!
Head over to Itunes and download a copy of the new album, "The 5 Hits of Ecstasy"
If you had a new album out we'd buy yours.
Promise.
Love, BIT
We are very proud to announce that Blue Island Tribe's new album, "The 5 Hits of Ecstasy", will be released October 14th exclusively on Itunes. It will be released everywhere else 11/25/08.
Here is the track listing:
"The 5 Hits of Ecstasy"
1. Down
2. Drop Out
3. Jump and Shout
4. March On
5. Ecstasy
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The Ep was recorded this past summer immediately after the band returned from Japan and Korea. It was recorded in Des Moines, IA at Sonic Factory Studios with Nadas' members Jon Locker, Tony Bohnenkamp, Ross VanderWerf, and Sklyer VanWalbeek all helping out. The Ep was mastered by John Mailoux (Sugar Ray, Dispatch, State Radio) of Bongo Beach Productions. We would like to thank Crystal Ryan for the front cover artwork, Nick Nemmers for the back cover artwork, and Chris "Gnar" Holz for the cd label artwork.
Head over to the newly redesigned www.myspace.com/blueislandtribe to check out a couple of the new songs even before they are released on Itunes
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The Gnar Station
Hey everyone, we'd like you to meet Chris Holz. Everyone, Chris...... Chris, Everyone.
Now that no one feels awkward, lets move on. Chris, or Gnar (pronounced nar) as we call him, has been a friend of the band's for a long time and before he moved to LA he could be seen at the band house or with a member of the band much of the time. We were fortunate enough to have him on tour all summer making sure everything went according to plan. He filled the role of sound man, lighting guy, photographer, videographer, babysitter, prankster, question asker, chef, badass, and many, many, more. He definitely worked harder than anyone this summer, so for that, we say THANK YOU!!!
He has also been hard at work since we returned home putting together the following video which is on the media page. Enjoy |
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Armed Forces Entertainment takes Blue Island Tribe on inaugural tour
Iowa-based Blue Island Tribe is heading to the Pacific Rim on their first Armed Forces Entertainment tour, taking their reggae/jam band infused sound to military personnel stationed in Japan, Okinawa, and Korea June 17-July 5. “We are grateful for this opportunity to travel overseas while entertaining the troops serving our country,” said Brandon Clark, bass player for Blue Island Tribe. “We viewed this tour as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to give something back to the people who give us so much everyday.”
Blue Island Tribe formed in 2001 with James Frey, lead singer; Brandon Clark, bass player; John Schminke, guitarist, Mike Schminke, drummer; Kelly Powers, rhythm guitar; and Garrett Theilking on saxophone. The 2003 independent-release of their first album The Road to Hana secured Blue Island Tribe a corporate relationship with Quicksilver/Roxy Clothing. The opportunity landed their music on MTV’s “Surf Girls” gaining them national exposure.
Blue Island Tribe has released two more independent-label albums: 2004’s Ready and Waiting and 2007’s The Essentials, which was recorded and produced by gold record-winning producer Tom Tatman at Catamount Studios. “The band’s members are proud of the fact that they have been able to embrace the heritage of the music they play, without infringing on it, “None of us have ever had dreadlocks, we don’t try to be anything we’re not,” explained Clark.
“Blue Island Tribe may come from Iowa, not the most likely place to find reggae, but these guys really get down. They are all energetic live performers and their shows are always crowd pleasers,” said Frank Tagatac, regional and circuit manager for the Pacific circuit.
Armed Forces Entertainment is the lead Department of Defense agency for providing entertainment to U.S. military personnel serving overseas, with priority given to those in contingency operations and at remote and isolated locations. The Department of the Air Force is the executive agent of Armed Forces Entertainment. Founded in 1951, Armed Forces Entertainment brings a touch of home to more than 500,000 troops annually, embracing the best of Americana that stretches across all genres of entertainment. Visit www.armedforcesentertainment.com for more information.
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