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Release the robots


You know that dream where you're giving a speech and you look down to realize you're literally baring all? Well, that's kind of what Army of Robots vocalist and guitarist Lawrence Hearn has been going through lately.

"I have had a lot of nightmares where we're playing shows and there's a lot of people there and they're just booing and throwing beer bottles at us," he says. "And they don't understand (the music) and just want to win the X-Box."

The local band front man says he's no stranger to apprehension when it comes to his group's music, a combination of electronic beats, rock and industrial sounds.

"I'm really paranoid when it comes to my musical peers and especially the people in this town... I take the Phoenix music scene seriously because it's all I've known in the past eight years," he says. "No matter who you are, you're going to have friends and you're going to have people who are trying to put you down no matter what."

In fact, the band has a song, "Nine Lines," on their new EP that addresses this very issue.

"It's kind of metaphorical," Hearn says. "Hopefully, people will take different things out of it."

Although the band - which includes Brian Anderson (drums, vocals), Seth Ludeman (guitar, keyboards, vocals) and Nathan Sauer (guitar, bass guitar, vocals) - has shared a bill with many industrial Goth bands, they want people to know that they don't share the same sound.

"People see that we have keyboards and sequencers and they assume that we're like Nine Inch Nails or Ministry or Powerman 5000," Hearn says.

He also wants people to know that they're "not a punk band" and that they appreciate a variety of music genres. "I love pop music," he says. "I love hooks, but at the same time, I can sit and listen to a modem dial for, like, an hour."

Army of Robots are gearing up for their big CD release party tomorrow night, when they will offer their new EP this week during a free show at the Bash on Ash. "I'm really proud of the new EP," Hearn says. "We put a lot of work into it and I know this sounds cliché, but it's our blood, sweat and tears."

As if free admission isn't enough to get people to a show, the group will be selling 200 limited edition EPs that feature a bonus track.

"I think we have something to offer just about anyone musically," Hearn says. "We won't let you down, and if we do, you can kick me in the face really hard."

When asked if the group, who is currently signed to the independent Dead Vinyl Records, ultimately dreams of being signed to a bigger label, Ludeman says, "well, of course."

Hearn adds, "I don't know. I'm sort of paranoid when it comes to major labels and about being shelved. I'm pretty stoked about our indie deal right now. We have a sweet relationship with them. They'll be honest with us and say, 'we're going to have to send you guys on some pretty shitty tours. You're going to have to really grit your teeth and just rock for awhile until you get a following going' and we're up for it."

Contact the reporter at Kelly.Ann.Wilson@asu.edu.

Army of Robots CD Release Show with Ember Coast, Rapid Fire, Aron Byron, Rondo Vega at 8 p.m. Friday at the Bash on Ash (230 W. Fifth St., Tempe, 480-966-8200). Free.


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