The Red Army (band)

The Red Army was a self-described folk rock band from St Day in Cornwall, England, UK.[1] Other sources, however, described them as "antifolk",[2] and from Truro.[3]

The Red Army
OriginCornwall
GenresFolk rock[1]
Years active2004 – c.2007
LabelsZebs Records
Red Records
Websitehttps://web.archive.org/web/20070929095557/http://www.theredarmyband.com/
MembersPhilip Burley
Florence MacDonald
Stephen Burley

The band was active from 2004 to c.2007, playing in excess of two hundred performances, making their officially released debut on 29 January 2007 on the compilation album Zebs: The Sound Of Young Cornwall.

The band gained radio plays on BBC 6 Music, XFM, Radio Cornwall, Pirate FM, Atlantic FM and Totally Radio. They played at the Tapestry Goes West Festival three years running and the Lowender Peran festival for two years, and also performed at The Hall for Cornwall, The Acorn and Bunters.

Members
  • Philip Burley - vocals, guitars[3][4]
  • Florence MacDonald - vocals, keyboards, kazoo, trumpet, accordion.[4] After leaving The Red Army, MacDonald performed with Reverieme in both 2010 and 2011, joining the band for its album launch and festival shows at T in the Park and Wickerman.
  • Stephen Burley - electric bass, double bass[4]
  • Rose Grigg (semi-official member) - percussion

Influences

According to their Myspace page, the band's influences included: The Las, The Coral, Regina Spektor, The Libertines, Joanna Newsom, Devendra Banhart, The Family Cat, Adam Green, The Smiths.[1] The band covered Regina Spektor's song "Edit" on multiple occasions.

Songwriting techniques often bear homage to Merseybeat, particularly from songs like "Freedom Song" (The La's) and "Dreaming of You" (The Coral). Going further back, there are obvious undertones of influence by The Kinks, and, in part, piano influence from the likes of impressionist composer Debussy.

The Red Army are referenced in the Teenage Fanclub song "When I Still Have Thee" (2010).

Discography

E.P's
  • "The Shamrock Shindig" (Summer 2007) – Reed Records
  • "Bird Of Paradise" (Winter 2007) – Reed Records

Albums
  • "One Way Ticket" (Summer 2005) – Reed Records

Compilation album tracks
  • "Money Grabbing Scum" – The Sound Of Young Cornwall on Zebs Records
  • "Northern Lights" (choral version; officially by 'Zebs Choir') – The Sound Of Young Cornwall on Zebs Records

References
  1. "The Red Army". Myspace. Retrieved 2012-06-17.
  2. Jelbert, Steve (23 February 2007). "Playground of the western world". The Times. Retrieved 17 June 2012.
  3. Borders, Jonny (2004). "Where I Live - Cornwall. The Red Army Interview". BBC. Retrieved 2012-06-17.
    This piece lists the members as Phil Burley (Rhythm Guitar & Backing Vocals), Rachel Shepherd (Vocals), Frank Axon (Lead Guitar) and Drummer Carrina Miles.
  4. "Entertainment - Rockin' At Zebs". BBC Cornwall. 2007. Retrieved 2012-06-17.
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