Doomed Confessionary: Buick Audra & Jerry Roe (Friendship Commanders)
Photos by Anna Haas
Friendship Commanders are a heavy duo from Nashville, Tennessee. The band is vocalist/guitarist Buick Audra and drummer/bassist Jerry Roe. Their new album, »MASS«, is a concept record about memory, language, and the state of Massachusetts. The ten-track body of work was co-produced, engineered, and mixed by Kurt Ballou at his GodCity studio in Salem, MA. The album is accompanied by a memoir in essays by Buick Audra. Both were released on September 29th, 2023.
»BILL – The Steve Albini Mixes« was released on July 22nd, 2024; these are the original, previously unreleased analog mixes of FC’s second album, »BILL«. The record was released on what would have been Steve’s 62nd birthday.
Can you say a few words about your band?
Buick: We’re a melodic heavy duo based out of Nashville, TN. I play guitar and sing, Jerry plays drums (and bass on the albums), and sings harmonies; I write the songs. We tend to make conceptual bodies of work. Our most recent album, »MASS«, is a collection about memory, language, and the state of Massachusetts; I spent some of my youth there and wrote a record about how formative that time was, in a number of ways.
What was the biggest challenge for the band?
Buick: Professionally speaking, just gaining visibility. It’s hard! There are a lot of bands, but fewer venues, resources, and opportunities these days. It’s a constant hustle to get the word out about what we do. We really appreciate independent outlets and journalists like yourself! On a cultural level, my gender has been a challenge at times. Sexism/gender bias is still an issue, unfortunately.
What can you be most proud of so far?
Buick: I’m super proud of our newest album, »MASS«, and that we’ve continued to grow musically.
Jerry: »MASS« as a record. I still can’t believe we made it, and that Buick wrote such a beautiful, high concept work that flows so well together and goes to so many different places.
What was your biggest regret?
Buick: Ever caring what loser dudes think about anything we’re doing.
Jerry: Not meeting Buick and starting this band sooner than we did. Everything has been better since.
What was the best concert/tour so far and why?
Buick: Oh wow. Lots to choose from, but we just opened for the Jesus Lizard here in Nashville earlier in the summer and it was a pretty perfect show. Everyone ripped and the audience was fantastic. 10/10
Jerry: Opening for Jesus Lizard was a true highlight. Smaller, overcrowded sold-out venue and a great crowd. Also, they were wonderful dudes to be around.
What was the biggest surprise on the music scene for you?
Jerry: Being welcomed into the stoner and doom community so readily. We never necessarily set out to be that kind of band and it just happened, and we found that it’s a very warm and welcoming place to be.
What is currently in your heavy musical rotation?
Buick: The new Shellac record, »To All Trains«. Incredible, of course.
Jerry: I’ve been listening to a lot of Cult Leader, Car Bomb, and Prong.
What was the best advice you’ve ever been given as a musician?
Buick: When I started tracking vocals for our BILL album, Steve Albini said to try and enjoy the process of singing it, that it would be discernable to listeners if the vocals were performed from a place of enjoyment rather than stress or overthinking it. I still think of him every time I track my voice.
Jerry: “Chill, it’s just music.” That sounds weird because music is the most important thing to me, but it’s also a free-flowing art form that’s simply whatever you put into it, regardless of effort or struggle. Take care and make the best work you can, but be easy on yourself.
What are your guilty pleasures?
Buick: I don’t know that I identify as anything as a guilty pleasure, per se, but I can get swept up in rap beefs. I was monitoring every second of the Megan Thee Stallion / Nicki Minaj situation earlier this year.
Jerry: Don’t really believe in those! I do love Queensrÿche though.
Can you say something more about the music scene in Nashville?
Jerry: It’s a weird place that’s been overrun by tech and outsiders, but we have the best players in the world and really don’t suffer fools or sandbaggers. I do love it for that.
Where can we see you live this year (concerts/tours)?
Buick: We’re going on the road very soon! We have U.S. dates starting on August 24 and going through October 18! Check all dates HERE.
What are your plans for the future as a band?
Buick: We just might have plans already in place to record the next album (more on that soon!), but beyond that, just general world domination. Haha. We really need to get over to Europe sooner than later!
How can people best support your band?
Buick: Come out to shows! Buy a record! But if you can’t do any of that and you like the music, please share it!
Jerry: Come see us, buy some merch, and stream us! It’s that simple.
Do you have any message for your listeners?
Buick: We’re on your side; thank you for being on ours.
Links:
Website | Facebook | Instagram | Bandcamp | Spotify | YouTube
Bojan Bidovc // music enthusiast, promoter, misanthrop and sometimes a journalist as well