Friendship Commanders release new two-track single “X” / “MIDHEAVEN” + New album BEAR out October 10 on Magnetic Eye Records

"Friendship Commanders nod to the sludgy, stoner-metal sensibilities of Kyuss and Sleep in their thundering anthem about injustices. Singer Audra’s ethereal delivery is more otherworldly and haunted than lacerating — an approach she favors on Friendship Commanders’ other releases.” – Rolling Stone

“Buick Audra's riffs carry the weight of doom and sludge metal, but her crystal-clear, melodic singing is as approachable as anything on '90s alt-rock radio.” – Brooklyn Vegan

“Friendship Commanders needs to be much bigger than it is right now.” – Metal Injection

On October 10, Nashville-based heavy duo Friendship Commanders will release their new album BEAR via their new label home Magnetic Eye Records (pre-order). BEAR was co-produced by band members Buick Audra (guitars, vocals) and Jerry Roe (drums, bass) along with their longtime collaborator Kurt Ballou, who also tracked the instrumental performances and mixed the record. The project is centered around the ever-elusive idea of belonging—where it occurs, and where it absolutely does not.

Today, the band share their second dual single, “X / MIDHEAVEN,” along with a music video for “X” directed and edited by drummer/bassist Jerry Roe and shot by Jarad Clement. The premiere is live now at Everything Is Noise, and both tracks are streaming on all digital platforms for playlist shares. Like their first dual single, “KEEPING SCORE / MELT,” the songs on “X / MIDHEAVEN” showcase opposite ends of BEAR’s sonic spectrum—one heavy, one lighter—each addressing questions about identity and influence.

Guitarist/vocalist/songwriter Buick Audra wrote “X” in June of 2024, just weeks after the passing of their friend and collaborator Steve Albini; she says:

“I was grieving, but I was also watching a generation grieve in ways I’d observed my whole life—stoically, strongly, sentimentally, and somewhat individually. This song is a loving send-up to that lost generation. We wanted the track and visuals to honor some of the artists who raised us creatively, including Steve. The camera I’m holding in the second verse was his. Very moving to have and include it here. He was a young Boomer, but the absolute King of Gen X. Missed and loved.”

“MIDHEAVEN” goes wider; it gets into this idea of being born under a certain set of stars, and whether or not that has anything to do with who we are. As a person who feels like a lifelong misfit with a nature I can't seem to change, I'm curious about where that starts. Is it written from the start? I'm willing to believe anything at this point. Some days, it's tempting to blame it all on the sky."

FC drummer and bassist Jerry Roe says:

“I wanted the video for ‘X’ to have the vibe and look of those by our favorite bands from the Gen X/Grunge era while still being its own thing, so it's lit, shot and performed in a way that honors that spirit without aping anything too closely (hopefully)! Everyone wanted to appear tough and cool while also not seeming to take what they were doing too seriously. There’s such a particular mood of the era that no one has captured since. It was the best time for the medium of music videos honestly, and it was a lot of fun to try and channel it. I find it moving to watch in a way that surprises me.”

“‘MIDHEAVEN’ stands out in our discography for being so instrumentally driven. The vocals and melody are just as integral a part of the song as any song in our repertoire, but large portions of this track are just the two of us ripping at each other and it's an absolute blast to listen to and play."

BEAR track list:

Keeping Score

Drain

Dripping Silver

Melt

New

X

Midheaven

Imperfect

Found

Dead & Discarded Girls