Andrew Jackson Jihad was formed after its original drummer, Justin James White, approached Sean Bonnette and Ben Gallaty, who had just left Rodan (not the Rodan of Kentucky fame) and The Sub-Standards. Since then, many significant Arizona musicians have sat in with the remaining duo of Sean and Ben, including John De La Cruz of Fatigo and Asleep In The Sea’s Owen Evans. Dylan Cook also plays mandolin regularly with the band. On Halloween 2005, Andrew Jackson Jihad covered Neutral Milk Hotel’s In the Aeroplane Over the Sea album in its entirety at CounterCulture Cafe. Their biggest performance to date has been in their hometown with Flogging Molly and Authority Zero on St. Patrick’s Day 2006. On April 15, 2006, the band played as part of the 2006 New Times Music Showcase, nominated for Best Americana Band, and won a 2006 Best of Phoenix later that year. Besides their local shows, where they have become arguably the most prominent representative in Arizona of the DIY ethic, they have also toured in clubs and basements across the Western United States, appearing at such venues as the Knitting Factory in Los Angeles, CA. One show in Kimberly, Idaho saw the band in a cowboy bar and leaving the premises as soon as possible after the show. Andrew Jackson Jihad also performed at St. Augustine, Florida’s second annual Harvest of Hope Festival in 2010. They played a dual set with Bomb the Music Industry! |
