Die Rosa Armee Fraktion

Die Rosa Armee Fraktion Artist Page

Genre: Modern Rock
Starting Date: 20.03.2007
Members: Josefine Wahlander, Peter Næss, Fredrika Matsson and Joanne Faulkner.
Former members: Annie Lundbom, Andreas Silverbratt and Martin Johansson

RAF was established on the grounds of the “vulva rock” band Miss Kitty Fantastico after band members Josefine Wahlander and Annie Lundbom became disillusioned of the petty state of the bourgeoisie sexuality. Uniting under the banner of proletarian slutiness, Die Rosa Armee Fraktion set out in March 2007 to advance the aims of the Pink Revolution through awesome music and prolific sexuality rarely seen since ancient Greece (a comparison the band is hesitant to make due to ideological differences with these old city states).

Though the line-up and underlying sentiments remained unchanged, the new non-conformist image struck a chord with the younger generation, and multiple tours and record releases soon followed. Word has it that the capitalist entertainment industry at this time infuriated drummer Buttplug Baader to the degree he dropped off the radar after the band's second single to advance the aims of the revolution amongst the undoubtedly sexy grass root movements in Stockholm, where his deeds went largely unnoticed until his death under mysterious circumstances in September that year, becoming the first martyr of the Pink Revolution.

While now without percussions, RAF enjoyed the addition of a small group of cult followers after Johansson's death, and honoring his commitment to the cause the band found it's musical expression of protest against the establishment of politics, fashion, and the sexual dogmas prevalent in those days, creating a unique sound still present today. Down one man, the band still managed to greatly increase the quality of it's music, undoubtedly helped by new and intriguing material and guidance from record company boss and longtime friend Petter Johansson.

The popularity of the band saw a steady increase throughout the rest of the year, and in February 2008, the line-up was once again complete with the addition of Peter Næss on drums and the seemingly obligatory bass guitar. Life in splendor followed, with one world orgy after another, catapulting both record and show quality to levels previously not seen by the band. The influx of money to the band coffers presented a dilemma to the group, risking losing its' hold on the proletariat. Private jets, boob jobs, aphrodisiacs and dubious business investments became the solution to the problem, the rapid spending of money in itself becoming a symbol of contempt for the monetary system, thus earning renewed loyalty from the hardcore fans.

The autumn of 2008 proved to be a challenging period as band leader Annie Lundbom aka “Mother Superior” and Andreas Silverbratt aka “Father Fabio” retired from the music industry. However, RAF were able to recruit longtime friend and tribes mate Fredrika Matsson to the cause, and after a brief transitional period, the band was back on the road, harvesting groupies, money, fame and scores of underwear thrown on stage. Musically the band progressed further, releasing critically acclaimed records, greatly helped by child prodigy/producer Mario Federico Dijkstra and Peer Rhoen. It was at this time the band left Dragon Soul Records at the expiration of their contract, to set up their own shop in London under the name Lucky Bitches Ltd. MR, from which a wealth of top notch records would later be released, notably the album “The Silicon Proletariat”.

As critics would have it, RAF “in this period a change from playful pseudo-marxism and hedonistic tendencies, to an almost philosophical reprehension of all things considered moral, yet for all it's intellect still keeps the brutal honesty of earlier records, creating a delightful duality approaching sarcasm, earning the band fans from all walks of life, and rightfully so”.

Rarely granting interviews, the band has yet to confirm or refute allegations they are making intelligent music.

2009 marked a year of great changes and contrasts for the Pink Revolution. By new years they were approaching the top of the charts, but energy was at a low. In mid January the band announced their intention of taking a longer break, postponing all revolutionary activities until further notice. While the booking manager had to resort to “TBA” at club owner's inquiries of their tour status, the band broadened their base by recruiting seasoned pianist/backup vocalist Joanne Faulkner, definitely settling the question of their future musical expression long in circulation in the underground press following Josefine's selling her bass guitar for a didgeridoo.
Although unintentional, the fact that no shows had been played with the new line-up fueled the fear of the fans leading up to the release of the single “Living in the Times of Lunacy”. The new sounds proved immensely successful, and when the album “Life Before the Revolution” displayed every bit as much innovation, creativity and awesome performance as the earlier “The Silicon Proletariat”, it cemented the hold the band had on it's fans worldwide.

Time was to tell, however, that the memory of the masses is not to be overestimated, or their loyalty for that matter, as RAF slowly faded to obscurity as their break dragged on. Having appreciated this fact ever since the single “Wir sind allen den Moden unterworfen e.p.” from mid 2007, the band was not disheartened by this, publicly boasting how they looked forward to taking over the world yet again.
A heavier, ideological blow came to the group in March when former revolutionary Andreas Silverbratt died in Stockholm, buried but a few meters away from where Martin had been put to rest in 2007, becoming the second martyr of the Pink Revolution. There were fears in the milieu that Annie would follow suit after the death of her husband, but these were proved unfounded as Annie gave signs of life from her residence in Moscow, from which persistent rumors has it she is undoubtedly brooding on some ingenious and/or sinister scheme.

As the spring progressed, a RAF communique announced the band's re-emergence on the Modern Rock stage with a fast paced schedule centered in Europe, from which the Pink Revolution is expected to once again reach the four corners of the world during the year 2009. It has earlier been debated in the press whether this constitutes a come-back, or if RAF will show themselves to be a “has-been” band. Still drawing on their cult status amongst their dedicated fans and followers since the days of their original line-up, it has been said that even though their impact on the scene has waned, the band is purportedly relieved to have shed themselves with the ideologically questionable commercial label, trading huge stadiums with intimate, dark and sweaty venues from which to spread their pale red propaganda.

• Highest ranking in Modern Rock: 17.

18 wheeler luxury rig

Released by Lucky Bitches Ltd. MR

Released by Dragon Soul Records