The Armed

“People like what they’re accustomed to, especially when it comes to notions about what a band should do and what it should look like,” a member of this extraordinary collective observed in a recent interview with Noise magazine. “That’s something we subvert, and that’s why we’re often misunderstood.” It isn’t entirely clear who belongs to The Armed’s constantly shifting lineup. The collective relies on the creative contributions of a wide group of friends, who lend their efforts to specific projects. Regardless, this crew knows American hardcore, metalcore, noise rock, and their ilk inside-out, as testified by The Armed’s excellent albums, including this year’s Ultrapop, a raucous roller coaster with its share of melodic and idyllic vistas.