More than a band, the continuing musical journey of Wayne and Julie Johnson strives ahead. At the heart a ministry that isnt held in place by titles of was is or what should be or this is what is. Acoustic praise and worship, all out metal crush to solo speaking or musical appearances, its all the same deal: GOD To be glorified.
So begins the story….. A LOVE OF GOOD MUSIC – Just one of the things that make up the Maryland based heavy rock band UNDER COMMAND.
Starting around November ..98, drummer Steve Songy and guitarist Wayne Johnson jammed in a 5×5 storage shed. Enduring the change of seasons and temperatures they created the ten songs that would become their debut release, the 1999 hard rocking CD, SECRET PLACE OF THUNDER.
Playing concerts over the mid-Atlantic area out to the mid-west and as far as California, they come out hitting hard and heavy. An unmistakable sound and energetic live show make Under Command a crowd favorite sharing the stage with such great bands as Disciple, Skillet, Seventh Day Slumber, Kutless, Stryper and Pillar. At this time, the group was featured on several compilation CDs, all of which became international sellouts.
At the end of 2001, the band teamed up with the on-line record label, Fight Cloud. They released a project called DAMAGE CONTROL. It featured ten songs of over an hour of music, a thing that the group would become known for. By early the next year Fight Cloud closed it’s doors, ending DAMAGE CONTROL’s availability.
In 2002, Under Command released its second CD SEEING RED, a more aggressive project that featured thick guitars, chunky grooves and more harmony vocals. Lyrics described as real, positive and spiritual speak to the listener in an honest way. With the Seeing Red sessions 90% done, they started a third project, A.E. THE ACOUSTIC EXPERIENCE. An idea that originally was to be an all-acoustic EP turned into a full-length 12-song release. Using a different writing formula, they created stripped down songs with few guitar solos and more sonic texture. Acoustic Experience became the calm to Seeing Reds storm. This sister CD was released a year later.
2003 saw Under Command participate on another compilation CD, this one being for Compassion International, an outreach that helps sponsor needy children all over the world. The compilation CD, Together with Compassion, is a double CD with all sale proceeds going to the outreach program, and can be purchased at all Under Command concerts.
The Band returned to the studio after several years of constant touring and personnel changes. Julie Johnson moved from just background vocals to the bass guitarist slot with Nathan Johnson taking over the drum throne. They started a project called UNDERCOVER an eight song release with 4 original songs and 4 cover tunes, hence the cd name. Before the release of that project talks began with the start up label and that prompted the band to reenter the studio and begin work on the new all original project BACK IN THE THICK in 2008. The heaviest most aggressive project to date with a backbone of riff and groove.
Now it’s 2011, and Under Command is ready to rock once again with a brand new full length album, and the full support of Intense Millennium Records. In January the band released their first single from the yet titled upcoming album titled, “My Madness”. The band is currently in the studio finishing up the album, expect it’s release mid-2011.
UNDER COMMAND is the second officially active band to be announced as signing to Intense Millennium Records. Intense Millennium Records is the partnered label to Frontline Records, and is distributed nationwide via Infinity Distribution.
For Full details and pre order information visit www.intensemillennium.com