Flobots is a band with a mission: to put a message in the music.
With the release of their sophomore album Survival Story, the band’s members hope to show listeners that the change can be made.
They hope to do so with songs like “White Flag Warrior,” an anthem about a different kind of warrior.
“We can build a generation of people that are non-violent… [that] refuse to kill people to solve problems,” Guitarist Andy Guerro said.
The band collaborated with Tim McIlrath from the band Rise Against the Machine for the song.
“He believed in the song and the message and what the band was about,” Guerro said.
In addition to putting a message in the music, the band also has a non-for-profit organization, flobots.org. This is an organization founded in Denver that uses music and arts as inspiration, and gives young people the means to make a difference for themselves, their community and their world.
Guerro explained that Survival Story is more of a conceptual album than the band’s first, Fight With Tools.
“It’s more about telling stories,” Guerro said.
He said that the title had several different meanings. The fight for survival in the music industry inspired one of these. Another was inspired by the survival story of the world.
Flobots’ second album Fight With Tools, which debuted in 2008, sold 300,000-plus copies, and the digital version reached number two on the iTunes Hip Hop Countdown. The single “Handlebars” was number 10 on the iTunes Hip Hop chart.
“‘Handlebars’ was way bigger than we thought it would be as a single,” Guerro said.
He said that, in comparison, Survival Story shows a lot of growth in the band. However, he couldn’t say if it would be as successful as the debut album.
“Only time will tell … They are two different animals,” Guerro said.
Survival Story hits stores and digital platforms on April 16. The band will also be performing in St. Louis at Webster University on the same day.
Guerro described the live shows as high energy.
“People can come expecting to have a good time, Guerro said.
For more information about the band, visit the official website, www.flobots.com, and for more information about the non-for-profit, visit www.flobots.org.
