Artist Watch: “Stonechild” by Friendship Commanders
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Artist: Friendship Commanders
Release Title: Stonechild (Single)
Genres: Hard Rock, Doom, Stoner, Desert Rock, Sludge, Grunge
Quick Description: Friendship Commanders fuel the fires of revolution and honor Indigenous People’s Day with a powerful message featuring heavy guitars and drums, killer riffs, and soaring vocals.
For Fans of: Soundgarden, Chevelle, Dillinger Escape Plan, Deftones
Friendship Commanders do not mince words. Utilizing their dynamic sound, urgent melodies, and honest lyrics, the band held nothing back as they tackled themes of surviving abuse and challenging the patriarchy on their recent EP, Hold On To Yourself. Buick Audra (guitars/vocals) and Jerry Roe (drums/bass) have continued their activism through their music by releasing a pair of songs in honor of Indigenous People’s Day.
The lead single “Stonechild” was written about the circumstances of Stonechild Chiefstick’s death on July 3, 2019. Stonechild was a Chippewa Cree man who was part of the Suquamish Tribal community in Poulsbo, Washington. Audra explains:
“Through a friend of mine who lives on the Port Madison Reservation, I connected to articles in local publications about his death, all of which I read with horror. My brain kept going back to facts of the story: He was murdered by a white police officer… At the location where the community was gathered to enjoy the 3rd of July fireworks, at a waterfront park… Families with kids were everywhere and witnessed his death… And they still held the fireworks after he died.
The song was written to acknowledge a life, question a death, and stand in solidarity with a community that has lost someone. We, alongside the people who knew him, demand justice for Stonechild. With this song, I am also asking questions to all of us about how we’re actually moving through this world, injustice all around us, systemic racism normalized and ignored. Are we helping, or are we hurting?”
Photo by Jamie Goodsell
“Stonechild” is a grungey durge, pushed forward with a wall of chugging guitars and intense, heavy drums. The vocals are sung with a heartbroken tenderness that feeds back into the power of Audra’s voice. She demonstrates how feeling the pain of loss and injustice is not weakness, but strength. Cassy Fowler, who speaks in Lushootseed on the track, does so on behalf of Stonechild’s family. The txʷəlšucid (Lushootseed) lyrics were written by txʷəlšucid Cassy Fowler (Suquamish), Zalmai Zahir ʔəswəli (Puyallup), and Chris Duenas (Puyallup).
The second single, “Your Reign Is Over,” was written in a fit of frustration during this most tumultuous year. It kicks off with a killer riff and adrenaline-fueled drums, returning to the full fury of Audra’s authoritative delivery. It continues where Hold On To Yourself left off, brandishing their unique blend of melodic hard rock, amplified with hooks and power to spare.
A fitting tribute to Indigenous people and the injustices they face, Friendship Commanders fuels the fires of revolution with compelling hard rock and brings the genre back to reality.