Jackson United

Not just a Foo Fighter, not just a Gimme Gimme, and not just a good-for-an-amateur boxer, Chris Shiflett has begun a world takeover with his new band, Jackson United. He's played in thousands of bands since age 14; including the world's greatest rock band the Foo Fighters, the world's greatest punk rock band No Use for a Name and the world's greatest cover band Me First & The Gimme Gimme's. Chris Shiflett began a world wide takeover with his band Jackson. Now, thanks to a minor copyright issue (and a letter from Michael Jackson's attorney), they're called Jackson United and have released their debut album Western Ballads on May 24th 2005 via Australian indie label Shiny Records. Jackson United marks Chris' debut as a lead singer/frontman. With Chris' brother Scott (Face to Face/ Viva Death) on bass and long time buddy Pete Parada (Face to Face/Saves the Day) on drums, Jackson United releaseded their self titled EP and set out in power trio mode on the 2003 Warped tour followed up by a quick trip to London to play the Reading Festival. In between Foo's tours, winning a Grammy, other band commitments and babies being born, Jackson United enlisted the help of producer Chad Blinman (Face to Face, Viva Death, Get Up Kids) and recorded 21 "a little bit rock, a little bit punk" tracks from the thousands Chris had written that he couldn't convince anyone else to sing. Fourteen of those are on "Western Ballads". Confessing a love for "way down in kokomo" era Beach Boys ahead of the often cited and trendier "Pet Sounds", Shiflett says "... it's guitar pop. Not as heavy as Foo Fighters stuff. And there's some stuff that's pretty mellow and vibey". We prefer to think of it as flawless. Six months later the release of "Western Ballads" marked not only a new name, but new band mates too! Cary Lascala (also of Vue) took over the drumsticks and Doug Sangalang (ex Screw 32/Limp) became the new guitarist. Both of them had toured a bunch with Chris' old band No Use for a Name). Also Omen Starr was added to the line-up, replacing Scott on bass. In 2006 Scott was called back in after Omen's departure, and along with Jose Mendeles on drums, they began work on their second record. Unfortunately Jose didn't stay with the band, and 'guest drummers' were drafted in for recording. Jackson United's second album Harmony and Dissidence was released in Australia and Japan on April 14th 2008, and set to be available on itunes. This album sees the return of Scott Shiflett to the band, and 'guest drummers' were revealed to be Dave Grohl and Taylor Hawkins of Chris' "day band" Foo Fighters, Harmony and Dissidence also features Rami Jaffee (of The Wallflowers, and currently a touring member of Foo Fighters) on keyboards and Drew Hester (also a touring member of Foo Fighters, and also produced and mixed the 2006 debut self-titled album from Taylor Hawkins & The Coattail Riders) on percussion. The video for "21st Century Fight Song" can be seen here