History Squad Five-O

during band s initial period, sound basic punk music heavy ska influences. 1 christian music magazine described sound collision between ninety pound wuss , oc supertones. outset group ran controversy. initial release, believe, contained song entitled our state flag sucks . lyrical content of song, called georgia state flag (the 1956-2001 version flying @ time) banner of hate likeness flags of confederate states of america, ironically caused album banned many christian bookstores. (flags shown @ right.)

what believe , band s second release, fight system, released bulletproof music. fight system unique in that, although had 18 listed tracks plus hidden bonus track, had 31 tracks of silence before bonus track, rock , roll anthem . gave album 50 tracks overall, nod five-o in band s name. drummer jason anderson left after fight system , replaced justin garbinski of speedy delivery; justin s brother, adam, played in huntingtons a.j. huntington, joined on guitar.

the band got dispute on publishing rights label , helped brandon ebel, president of major christian label tooth & nail records, whom later signed. sound on first 2 releases characterized ska punk, changed label. 2000 album bombs on broadway produced duane baron. band credits baron helping them refine rock sound. jeff fortson reported hm ... helped slow things down , find right groove... helped realize trying do. ccm magazine characterized move completing transformation glam rockers.

the original cover art of bombs on broadway showed warplanes flying through downtown new york. album s title track described attack on new york city , warned other cities attacked. bombs on broadway contained card explaining lyrics songs; tooth & nail did same deadlines first album, death & life of..., used death-related metaphors in of songs. after attacks of september 11 occurred following year, tooth & nail decided change album s cover show picture of band members. new release of album still had same songs original album had. well, band refrained playing song bombs on broadway @ live performances in initial tour after 9/11. on time, band incorporate track part of encore performance.

jeff fortson on christian music industry

for squad 5-o, move tooth , nail more change of approach in musical style. band began move away explicit references jesus, , use metaphor more extensively. began tour in more mainstream venues churches, explained jeff fortson: jesus said fishers of men; have realized can t unless re people need him are. generally, band discontented state of christian music industry , christian subculture, saw exploitive , misleading. jeff fortson contrasted hm magazine experiences playing @ large christian event , secular 1 few days later. @ christian event (which headlined steven curtis chapman) ... kids coming out of seats , standing in aisles come , rock out us... shut down... park security , promoters evidently thought evil , inciting riots. @ secular show reported ...connect kids, know, real... same exact response crowd, , s why feel s belong.

jeff fortson on five-o s lyrics, 2004

common themes in music power of youth, effects of social ills, , christian unity, though squad five-o, final tooth & nail release, group had largely moved away spiritual themes. 2002 eponymous release produced barry pointer, , featured sound band characterized more in tune live shows. after contract sold general market label capitol records lyrics appeared leave christian roots, band still professed christians.

their final album, late news breaking, released in 2004.

their web site went dead in 2006 , have had small amounts of activity myspace page including posting b-side track titled easy shoot has been assumed band has broken move on other projects.

bassist john fortson & guitarist adam garbinski formed rock band gasoline heart louis defabrizio, formerly of kick.

squad five-0 reunited cornerstone 2012. no further information available if permanent or 1 show.