Water Ghost Army: New Edge Old School Rock
“It’s a ‘me’ centered world and that can never be good.”
Rail Edgewater, Water Ghost Army
Born in the Bronx, New York, a subway ride from Yankee Stadium and Times Square, musician and writer Rail Edgewater was immersed in the lower East Side, Greenwich Village, CBGB’s, Max’s Kansas City music scene. “The Bowery, Times Square, Tompkins Square Park were all very different back in years. You had to be brave, maybe a little stupid, yet pretty street savvy to late night travel in and out of some of the neighborhoods. It was always worth it however to see the Dolls, the Ramones, Patti Smith, Elephant’s Memory, Johnny Thunders, to name a few of the locals. I can’t deny the musical influence of New York on my writing but overall my tastes are eclectic.” Case in point, after playing now defunct punk rock mecca CBGB’s, Rail sat at the Metropolitan Opera House the next evening, taking in a Mozart Opera. “Rock, folk, opera, country, different genres have their own special beauty and passion. I write to share experiences and knowledge of certain truths that can make someone at very least think and possibly change their path or direction in a meaningful way.” Both the music press and dedicated base of fans seem to agree that Water Ghost Army strikes a distinct social chord in changing times. Quotes from the pundits include:
“Catchy rhythmic energy that quickly draws the listener in”
“A message that addresses complex issues in a easy to understand, literary style”
“Alternately bright and edgy, dark music with a powerful intent to instill change”
“Cultural norms are questioned and you can still dance or bang your head”
“While listening, It occurred to me that Bob Dylan would probably appreciate the prose”
“Water Ghost Army presents a very layered sound. The listener will perceive new sounds with each successive listen. It’s thought provoking, rhythmic and a good mix of the serious and not so serious. Not exactly routine rock and roll fodder.”
“Just because something is a norm doesn’t mean that it is right or good for you.”
The Rock Journal Interview with Rail Edgewater, Water Ghost Army
“Rock music is a perfectly valid form of artistic expression. It has the ability to minister, inspire, provide focus on what truly is important in one’s life and simultaneously entertain for escape from a crazy world” muses Edgewater. “The trick is to avoid the trappings associated with the art form. It’s admirable to see a band like Skillet with two members being husband and wife go out on the road and home school the kids. They have a balance that is atypical of the glorified, stereotypical rock and roller. Look at Janis Joplin, Kurt Cobain, Johnny Thunders, each a unique talent minus balance. Head from Korn was headed for an early grave until he heeded divine intervention and began to focus on truly important matters like his kid and his purpose on this planet.” Edgewater expanded upon one of the main messages of Water Ghost Army. “We aim to entertain and allow listeners to enter the blissful zone that is music but also to have them think. Just because something is a norm doesn’t mean that it is right or good for you. Everyday we’re bombarded with negative messages via words and behaviors. Life and death are all about the choices we make. Our message is anti-materialism, purpose in life and the importance of higher things. You can conform to the culture or confront the culture. So much of what I see needs to fall into the let’s confront this stuff now.”
Water Ghost Army sings about change, peace, choices, and decisions. Material is thought provoking and designed for intelligent escape. The listener can head bang yet also say ‘hey that’s so true’ or ‘I never thought of it that way’. To maintain balance, some tunes are clearly designed for pure, silly fun and nothing more. This is evidenced by tracks ‘Subway Train in My Brain’, ‘I Wanna Be a Bowery Bum’ as well as others.
“Our goal is not to be press darlings. If we’re underground or over ground, so be it. Whoever we touch, we touch. It’s up to the listener to decide. The bottom line is that we have empathy and through music we can establish a healthy, fun relationship while maintaining an eternal perspective”.
Water Ghost Army. New Edge Old School Rock Music blending American and British musical sensibilities with distinct energy. The rhythmic, hypnotic, grinding, layered sound will have fans of the Psychedelic Furs, Ramones, Gary Numan and Black Sabbath (to name just a few), finding something to love in Water Ghost Army.
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