An amazing psychobilly band started in 1995 in the East Bay. They have a large punk following, and their music reflects that. Their style of psychobilly is a little bit harsher than most, but still very popular in the psychobilly scene. Their lyrics are filled with halloween imagery and generally ghoulish stuff. (Think Misfits style of horror.) The band itself is you basic rockabilly setup: guitar, stand-up bass, and drums. Although they do occasionally have guests to play slide guitar or horns on a few tracks.

They played their first gig on Gilman Street with AFI, and were almost immediatly booked all over Northern California. They continued to play and tour for two years before releasing their first 7 inch, which was self-titled (Though sometimes called "Temptation"). After the release of the 7 inch, the band went into seclusion until they were approached by Tim Armstrong who asked them to sign to Hellcat Records. They then released their first full-length album, again self-titled, in October 1999. Sadly, the band broke up soon after the release, leaving the frontman, Nick 13, on his own to pursue a second album.

After moving to Los Angeles, Nick 13 sooned joined up with Geoff Kresge on bass and London May on drums. They then set about touring to promote the first album. They continued to tour and write songs until January 2001 when they went to the studio to begin recording their second album, "Tiger Army II: Power of Moonlight". The album was released to July, 24 2001 to amazing reviews and hungry fans.

Their live acts are amazing. Their albums are only a hint of what they're capable of. There's just something right about a crowd of punks and greasers chanting "Tiger Army Never Die!!" during rhythm section throw downs.

Members:
Nick 13 - Guitar, Vocals
Geoff Kresge - Drums
London May - Stand-up Bass
Ex-Members:
Rob Peltier - Stand-up Bass (also in The Quakes)
Adam Carson - Drums (also in AFI)

Discography

Tiger Army 7 inch
Tracklist: Temptation, Jungle Cat, 20 Flight Rock.
Notes: The recording's a little raw, but still damn good. This is still relatively hard to find, but well worth the look.

Tiger Army CD
Tracklist: Prelude: Nightfall, Nocturnal, Fog Surrounds, True Romance, Devil Girl, Never Die, Moonlite Dreams, Trance, Twenty Flight Rock, WereCat, Outlaw Heart, Neobamboom, Last Night.
Personal Notes: When I first got my hands on this album I could not stop listening to it. Some of the most inventive and raw psychobilly I had ever heard. The melodies are haunting and creepy, while the rhythm section is superb. They outdid themselves for a first release. On a side note, Outlaw Heart gets my vote for saddest song ever.

Tiger Army II: Power of Moonlight
Tracklist: Prelude: Call of the Ghost Tigers, Towards Destiny, Incorporeal, Power of Moonlite, When Night Comes Down, Grey Dawn Breaking, Cupid's Victim, Valley of Dreams, Annabel Lee, In the Orchard, Under Saturn's Shadow, F.T.W., Remembered Forever.
Personal Notes: A strong follow-up, but I was a little dissapointed. It really sounds like just a continuation of the first album, instead of a new album. The guitar is a little creepier, and the lyrics reflect the change. Still a good album, but the first is my pick.