Five Iron Frenzy

The End is Near
At this point, it’s safe to say that everyone knows about the forthcoming demise of the third wave skacore unit known as Five Iron Frenzy. They’ve been on just about every youth group kid’s Christmas wish list and they’ve toured with just about every other ska band on the market (the most notable tour being 1998’s Ska Against Racism where they toured with fellow peers Less Than Jake, Reel Big Fish, Mustard Plug, etc). Eight years of touring and recording have come to a head as all of the members have chosen to go their own ways to pursue other opportunities (the most notable being the continuing saga of Brave Saint Saturn and the soon to be unveiled Gorilla Rodeo). Their beginnings as a smalltime band on the Colorado club circuit quickly changed in 1996 with the Five Minute Walk released Upbeats and Beatdowns, which boasted such high speed, sugar filled tunes as “Milestone” and “Cool Enough For You,” as well as the much hated but often requested “Combat Chuck,” which the band eventually came to loathe. With this record, Five Iron was placed into a niche alongside fellow bands the Supertones and The Insyderz by playing a sound that quickly became associated with the third wave ska movement. Known to some simply as ska punk because of the genre’s most notable founders Operation Ivy (featuring future members of Rancid) and later on, The Mighty Mighty Bosstones, the music took the basic elements of the early 80’s Two Tone ska movement and combined it with no frills, three chord punk rock.

Five Iron’s second record, Our Newest Album Ever, took a quick departure from this sound as the band slowed down the beat slightly and added more insight to the lyrics as well as showing an obvious maturity in the horn section. The album featured the infamous “Handbook For The Sellout” as well as the popular crowd closer “Every New Day,” and the band’s popularity only rose to greater height. The release of the Quantity Is Job 1 EP was received too much fanfare and laughs with its now legendary “These Are Not My Pants” rock opera. Their Live album (released literally months later) showcased their often raucous and energetic live shows with crowd singalongs that often overpowered the band itself as well as over the top stage banter in between songs. The release of All The Hype That Money Can Buy, however, baffled many fans and caused some to question Five Iron’s relevance amidst the rising nu-metal empire and ska’s ever-increasing decline. With its swipes at salsa and other musical genres as well as darker lyrical themes, Hype was their most mature record up to that point, but a lot of their fans just weren’t hearing it…or buying it for that matter.

2001 brought the release of Five Iron’s fourth studio album, Five Iron Frenzy 2: The Electric Boogaloo, and showed a more rock n’ roll side of the band. With the horn section being pushed more to the backburner and the guitars becoming more apparent alongside lyrical themes that continued from All The Hype, the band created a record that couldn’t be defined simply as ska and had to be taken at more face value. This time fans were listening. Shortly thereafter, the band announced that the Lord had called them into different areas and that they would be going separate ways, but not before a farewell tour and the release of two final albums; the first being the B-Sides Joke album The Cheeses of Nazareth, and the second being their final studio album The End Is Near.

The End Is Near is a proper closing to the saga that this band has laid out in the eight years of recording. The sound is a continuation of Electric Boogaloo, with its rock n’ roll oriented guitars and jazzy horn section. Don’t expect to hear “Pick It Up! Pick It Up!” anytime soon. “Cannonball” proves to be an energetic album opener with its bright horn charts and fast moving guitars while the follow up track, “At Least I’m Not Like Those Other Old Guys,” finds vocalist Reese Roper making jest of his own age and possibly even the decline of his own band - becoming all the more evident in “So Far So Bad,” which finds trombonist Dennis Culp telling of plans of glorious exits and hype before stating that no one even really even cares anymore. One assumes that this is really a veiled swipe at the music industry itself. Blue Mix anyone? “That’s How The Story Ends” continues in this tradition of playful self deprecation with its jazzy music and comical vocal delivery with references to songs from past records. “American Kryptonite,” one of the more aggressive tracks on the record, is punchy and full of energy while all the while taking shots at corporate greed. “New Years Eve” showcases Five Iron’s weathered but full horn section, which has remained smooth and warm throughout the years while remaining the cornerstone and trademark of the band. “Wizard Needs Food Badly” is authentic Five Iron Frenzy at their best with more humor then a roomful of Saturday Night Live cast rejects.

“On Distant Shores”, the record’s closing track is by far the most touching on the album and could arguably be the best that the band has written in its career. The band’s mission itself seems to be wrapped up in the simply yet poignant chorus “If mercy falls upon the broken and the poor, Dear Father I’ll see you there on distant shores.” Many will feel tears fill their eyes when the song closes as it ends with the final verses of “Every New Day” before floating into silence. This moment is truly the best that this entire record holds and will leave many reflective of the legacy that this band has left behind. Many dismissed them as part of a musical fad while others saw them only as goofballs that couldn’t make a difference. Others however, found in Five Iron Frenzy, a band that held all of their hopes and dreams. Five Iron wasn’t for the philosophers or the complicated, they were for the rest of us; the outcasts, the misfits, the unwanted and the underdog. The ones overlooked by a society that didn’t care. It’s for those people that Five Iron Frenzy will be truly missed and always loved. This record – their swansong, will be the final note on a band that had more relevance and sincerity than any of the clones in that fad we now known as third wave ska. Five Iron Frenzy was far more than that, it’s a shame they didn’t get the full credit they deserved. But in the hearts of the fans that loved them, they couldn’t have done better. [five minute walk] kriss stress

This album review was printed in ISSUE 104 of HM Magazine. To buy this issue, go to our online store and click on Back Issues.

©2003 HM Magazine - All Rights Reserved.

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HM, This is or has to be one of the best reviews i have ever read coming out of HM. This reveiw summed up so many thoughts of fans and told us all of what we needed to know about the band. All i can say is, Thank you HM!
Posted by: Kurt Focht on November 4, 2003 12:52 PM

Great review. FIF should have another cover issue. They most likely will have another live album, and it would be awesome to know what they are all really doing after November.
Posted by: Rick on November 4, 2003 01:13 PM

as a thank you to five iron frenzy i think it would be rad if they made it on the cover of your sweet magazine. theyve done a lot for the christian rock and are due for some recognition theyre 150% deserving of that. thanks a lot... adam from washington
Posted by: adam demos on November 4, 2003 03:38 PM

wow. that is an amazing article. thank you so much for writing so seriously and graciously about FIF. it is so very sincere and reflects what i have said and thought about five iron frenzy for the last 8 years. thank you HM, for giving them credit they deserve where others have overlooked those 8 people.
Posted by: Marsha Earles on November 4, 2003 08:58 PM

If this review had been an obituary it would make the mourners cry. Thank you Kriss Stress. Five Iron Frenzy should definately make the cover of HM again. I've seen them twice already on the "Winners never quit" tour, and I have not been disapointed. Five Iron's success cannot be measured in CD sales. I thank God that these eight talented people put their lives on hold for eight years to shine light into so many of our confused lives. Five Iron Frenzy embodied something greater, something greater that was only felt in those surreal moments following a show in some smelly church warehouse or after listening to "Every New Day" after some poor kid's worst day. Five Iron's legacy is not in their records or their shows, their legacy is in the hearts of all of the fans that have had their lives touched by this band. When the spotlight was turned on them, they scattered like roaches, only to return with mirrors to reflect the spotlight skyward. Their message did not end with Five Iron Frenzy; their message will continue long after Five Iron is merely remembered as a quirky-named ska band. To quote the selfless frontman himself , "The crowds recoil, demand our survival, fists in the air, mouths caked with saliva. But you are the one, the spark that was spawned, who picks up the pieces, and passes it on." We must be that one who picks up the pieces.
Posted by: Steven Grigsby on November 5, 2003 04:26 PM

If this review had been an obituary it would make the mourners cry. Thank you Kriss Stress. Five Iron Frenzy should definately make the cover of HM again. I've seen them twice already on the "Winners never quit" tour, and I have not been disapointed. Five Iron's success cannot be measured in CD sales. I thank God that these eight talented people put their lives on hold for eight years to shine light into so many of our confused lives. Five Iron Frenzy embodied something greater, something greater that was only felt in those surreal moments following a show in some smelly church warehouse or after listening to "Every New Day" after some poor kid's worst day. Five Iron's legacy is not in their records or their shows, their legacy is in the hearts of all of the fans that have had their lives touched by this band. When the spotlight was turned on them, they scattered like roaches, only to return with mirrors to reflect the spotlight skyward. Their message did not end with Five Iron Frenzy; their message will continue long after Five Iron is merely remembered as a quirky-named ska band. To quote the selfless frontman himself , "The crowds recoil, demand our survival, fists in the air, mouths caked with saliva. But you are the one, the spark that was spawned, who picks up the pieces, and passes it on." We must be that one who picks up the pieces.
Posted by: Steven Grigsby on November 5, 2003 04:26 PM

If this review had been an obituary it would make the mourners cry. Thank you Kriss Stress. Five Iron Frenzy should definately make the cover of HM again. I've seen them twice already on the "Winners never quit" tour, and I have not been disapointed. Five Iron's success cannot be measured in CD sales. I thank God that these eight talented people put their lives on hold for eight years to shine light into so many of our confused lives. Five Iron Frenzy embodied something greater, something greater that was only felt in those surreal moments following a show in some smelly church warehouse or after listening to "Every New Day" after some poor kid's worst day. Five Iron's legacy is not in their records or their shows, their legacy is in the hearts of all of the fans that have had their lives touched by this band. When the spotlight was turned on them, they scattered like roaches, only to return with mirrors to reflect the spotlight skyward. Their message did not end with Five Iron Frenzy; their message will continue long after Five Iron is merely remembered as a quirky-named ska band. To quote the selfless frontman himself , "The crowds recoil, demand our survival, fists in the air, mouths caked with saliva. But you are the one, the spark that was spawned, who picks up the pieces, and passes it on." We must be that one who picks up the pieces.
Posted by: Steven Grigsby on November 5, 2003 04:27 PM

Five Iron are one of the best punk-ska bands!!! I've been listening them since I've been 13...(I'm 19 now!!!) God bless you!!! you really rock!!!! reny
Posted by: reny on November 6, 2003 04:32 AM

Thank you HM you really did a great job on this review. Thisband really did all that you said for me. When I first became a christian back in middle school I was feeling awkward and confused but i thank God that he gave these eight wonderful people the calling to make an anthem for me the outkast. these guys made me realize that being a christian is fun and that you can be the biggest goofball and God loves you for that. Oh please put them on the cover of your Mag that would be an awesome end to an already awesome band. Thankyou and God bless
Posted by: adam Obrien on November 6, 2003 08:43 PM

I concur with others that you should have FIF on your cover one last time. I'm 22 years old and I've been an un-wavering supporter of the band since I was 15. Ever since I first put in my copy of Upbeats and Beatdowns as a zit-faced pubescent teenager and heard that distinctive opening riff to "Old West", I have been hooked. Especially when I was younger I found it easy to place the band itself up on some high pedestal, but their unwaveringly humble attitude (the likes of which is rare even in the "christian industry") always kept me from missing the point, and the spotlight was always kept on God. The message of the band is entirely simple. Pointing to God, the giver of hope and life They did this with relevance and artistic merit unsurpassed, setting the standard and becoming the inspiration for many bands to come. Good review, by the way.
Posted by: Brian on November 7, 2003 10:08 AM

There are few moments i remember when I first started getting into the Christian music Ska Scene about 6 years ago. I remember listening to the Supertones ripping of Metallica, Dc Talk, and many other groups and really not caring they were doing so. I remember the Insyderz and How that guys voice just seemed so rough for the music. And then, I remmeber listening to the final measures of "Every New Day", and feeling something I have never felt before. I felt real, unabashed emotion, swaying and flowing along with the beautiful music. As the words'Only you can make every new day seem so new', resonate through my headphones andinto my heart, I realized that It wasnt Just Christ that was making my days seem so new. It was also the passion and laughter that this band would ( and does) bring into my life. When I heard that they were breaking up,I wasnt to heartbroken as my musical taste has taken a more metal slant. But as I thought about that song, tears welled up, as I thought about that boy I used to be, Just thanking God for making every new day. But Five Iron, I now thank you. You helped make my days seem so new with your music. And for that Five Iron Frenzy, Thank you.
Posted by: Paul on November 8, 2003 03:41 PM

thanks HM for a great job done on this review. few bands have challenged me with their lyrical content and insight as FIF has. Their music helped bring me out of a low place at one point and continually challenges me on how i view my relationship with Christ. they tackled issues that many bands would shy away from, and they did so with refreshing honesty. i just saw them on one of the final legs of this final tour, and they are still as, if not more relevant as they ever were. FIF, thank you.
Posted by: jon on November 12, 2003 11:27 PM

What you said about On Distant Shores was phsycic. My jaw droped when i read the part about tears and stuff. Because tears did fill my eyes. the first couple of times i faught them back but one night when iwas laying in bed i couldnt hold them in any longer. I'v only cried twice eriuosly in my life when my grandfather died and when i listened to that song. I'v been a fan for a while and im extreamly sad to see them go. Thanks
Posted by: Austin Figler on November 16, 2003 08:51 PM

More than just being on our wish lists (it's been a long time since i was a 'youth group kid') FIF was our friends. Suckerpunch came out when I was in 6th or 7th grade and that was MY song. No other band has been there for me (metaphorically) for so long; I've outgrown a lot of the music I used to listen to (sorry Carmen) but Five Iron has always picked me up. Ah...it's hard even to express how much of their music has personally impacted me. "Every New Day" and "Dandelions"--"Second Season" and "Solidarity"...this was the soundtrack to my evolution as a person...and I hope the band realizes (and I think they do) the profound impact they've had over the past 8 years--not with radio singles and merchandise--but with kids' hearts. I went to their 3rd-to-last show last week in Chicago...when they played "Every New Day" I got chills...I'm getting chills right now just thinking about it. The whole show was just incredibly well put together...but when Reese started that bridge with "man vs himself..." he was whispering. The whole crowd joined in....and by the time we got to "Dear God...INCREASE!" the whole audience was screaming at the top of their lungs. It was beautiful. So long Five Iron...your last show is today. And thanks for all the memories
Posted by: west on November 22, 2003 02:30 PM

yep...this is a good review...BUT FIF should have another cover issue. these are their last days... ...good luck fif .......
Posted by: aAron on November 25, 2003 11:31 PM

The last cover issues FIF is ever on should read. FIF- We Will Never Forget
Posted by: Mike on December 1, 2003 09:59 PM

their impact will be felt for many years to come. NOT just because of the music, but because of their integrity and their honest hearts for God. Those guys will be missed greatly. They were one of the last standing bands who held more stock into helping expand the kingdom of God and not their record sales. I'm glad you guys enjoyed the article. It was very nostalgiac for me to write it.
Posted by: Kriss Stress on December 2, 2003 05:27 PM

Five Iron is easily the best band i have personally ever heard. My musical tastes vary alot, but FIF has always held the position as my favorite band for the last 7 years. I am extremely saddened to see them go, but they will always be remembered in the hearts of true, die-hard fans of Five Iron Frenzy. Thanks for the great article...and please let FIF grace the HM cover just once more.
Posted by: Gary on December 3, 2003 01:52 PM

I think FIF is the best band that has ever been around. They are full of hope and passion. Ive been a big fan since they first started. I seen them at the last concert in ohio and i talked to reese about how much the band helped me in the hardest piont in my life and he was like really. That band is full of the most down to earth people i have ever met. Its very sad that after 8 years of attachment they ended the best thing that could ever happen to music.
Posted by: Dusty on December 9, 2003 11:21 AM

This was an invredible album. i was at the winners never quit tour 3 times, i even made the 1000 mile journy to denver for the last show. it was incredible, i have never cried about a band breaking up before, but that show was so incredible. they will be greatly missed. the show was definitly the best show i have ever seen, if you like FIF do yourslef a favor and buy the new live album they recoreded at this show. i know i'll be there on release day. thanks five iron for everything....
Posted by: Cody Suders on December 9, 2003 08:03 PM

Five Iron Frenzy is the best band ever! I say that as a musician, a punk rocker, a music theorist, a non-conformist, and as a christian. They really represent christ's love through their music. you can feel the sincerity and passion, as well as playfullness in the music. Every New Day is their best song. It totally captures humanity inside of perfect musicall composition. The first time I heard the song as off of the live album, and the passion was so intense that I started crying at the bridge and the chourus. It really captures the struggle of everyday Christian life. Some would say that Five Iron was just a joke, but if you really listen to them, rather than just passing them off as the next fad, you really see that they never wanted to be rock stars and they never where, they where christians that wanted to show the love of christ to people that are rejected by "normal" society. They also had a great sense of humor, which can be heard in a great deal of their songs. Some adults despise Five Iron for the Pants Rock Opera. To them I have only to say this, Grow Up. It's not about sex or an affair or anything stupid like that. It's about one of the bandmembers pants that they found, I think, in the tour bus, and they wrote some little funny songs about them, in a completely innocent manner, that way to many christians took offence to. That article was a fair summary of Five Iron's life as a band, it didn't contain every important detail, but it was still good. Well I'm outa here. Feel free to e-mail me at Fruitful1@earthlink.net. To hell with the devil Buck
Posted by: Buck on December 31, 2003 11:45 PM

This was a great review. I love FIF and i'm gonna miss them so much. They could do everything from funny songs (Oh, Canada) to really sweet heartfelt songs (Dandelions, Every New Day). If Five Iron somehow happens to read this...i just want them to know what a great band they were and how much they impacted today's youth. Thanks FIF...you won't be forgotten.
Posted by: Kitten on January 3, 2004 02:00 PM

Ugg. Too bad they broke up. This was a great band. As a Canadian, I loved Oh Canada. It's odd that it took a band from Colorado to truly capture what it means to be Canadian. That song truly raised them to the status of An Honorary Canadian band (a list with two bands on it, the other being the Rolling Stones). The world is a sorrier place without them.
Posted by: Karl on February 3, 2004 04:27 AM

Hey hey... they are reissuing The End is Near with the new live CD... the end is here... should be good... expect a medley of fif songs... it was mentioned and they did play it at some of their last shows
Posted by: Drew on February 6, 2004 07:06 AM

i totally agree with karl, the world will be sorely in need of another band like them. But look on the bright side, the Brave saint saturn band is still around with reese and a couple other fif people. Also, the band called guerilla rodeo is gonna be awesome . Its gonna be micah, dennis, and peoplew from other bands. like abig gigantic awesome bnd! They come out with a cd in may, so whn it comes out, get it!
Posted by: danny on February 17, 2004 09:07 AM

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