Comrades (band)

Comrades
Comrades performing in 2017
Background information
OriginRichmond, Virginia, U.S.
Genres
Years active2008 (2008)–2022
LabelsBlood & Ink, Facedown
Past members
  • Joe McElroy
  • Laura Reitzel
  • John Gaskil
  • Ben Trussell
Websitewearecomrades.com

Comrades was an American rock band from Richmond, Virginia. The band started making music in 2008 and released a studio album, Safekeeper, in 2014 via Blood and Ink Records.[1][2]

Their members are Joe McElroy (guitarist), and Laura Anne Reitzel (vocalist, bassist). Unclean vocalist and drummer Ben Trussell announced in June 2017 that he has decided to amicably part ways with the band and work on a solo musical project called BJORN.[1][2][3] Former Life in Your Way and Conveyer drummer John Gaskill took over the mantle of drummer and Unclean vocalist. In 2023, the band announced their disbanding in a formal statement.

Music history

The band commenced as a musical entity in February 2008, with their first release, Safekeeper, a studio album, that was released on May 6, 2014, from Blood and Ink Records.[2][4][5][6]

The band played Facedown Fest 2016 for Facedown Records.[7] Their second album, Lone/Gray, was released via Facedown Records on October 7, 2016.[8] Comrades headlined night two of Threat Fest in 2017.[9]

Vocalist Laura Reitzel shared on the band's social media in January 2023 that the band had broken up the previous year.

Members

Current members

  • Laura Anne Reitzel – clean vocals, bass guitar (2008–2022)
  • Joe McElroy – lead guitar (2008–2022)
  • John Gaskill – drums, unclean vocals (2018–2022)

Former members

  • Ben Trussell – drums, unclean vocals (2008–2017)

Discography

Studio albums

Compilations

References

  1. ^ a b Comrades. "About". Facebook. Retrieved July 20, 2015.
  2. ^ a b c Stagg, David. "Comrades – Safekeeper". HM Magazine. Retrieved July 20, 2015.
  3. ^ "Comrades". Facebook. Retrieved June 30, 2017.
  4. ^ DeLong, Ty (May 6, 2014). "Review : Comrades – Safekeeper". Indie Vision Music. Retrieved July 20, 2015.
  5. ^ Neon, Janis (May 28, 2014). "Comrades: Safekeeper". In Your Speakers Media. Archived from the original on July 21, 2015. Retrieved July 20, 2015.
  6. ^ Banci, Francesco (May 17, 2014). "Comrades 'Safekeeper'". Salad Days Magazine. Retrieved July 20, 2015.
  7. ^ My Epic (May 14, 2016). "My Epic". Facebook. Retrieved May 16, 2016.
  8. ^ "Post-hardcore revivalists Comrades sign to Facedown, announce new album". Alternative Press. August 8, 2016. Retrieved August 8, 2016.
  9. ^ Obenschain, Philip (August 23, 2019). "Smyrna's Threat Fest Offers a Sampling of the Region's Best Indie, Punk, Post-Hardcore, & More Aug 25 & 26 @ Carpe Artista". No Country For New Nashville. Retrieved January 3, 2023.
  10. ^ Lift Up Your Head by Comrades, retrieved May 6, 2019
  11. ^ "Comrades". June 15, 2015. Archived from the original on June 15, 2015. Retrieved March 28, 2018.
  12. ^ "Comrades Comrades Collection 2010–2011". August 24, 2016. Archived from the original on August 24, 2016. Retrieved March 28, 2018.