In addition to fronting The Apples in Stereo, Marbles, and Ulysses, Robert Schneider sings and plays in a Lexington-based outfit called Thee American Revolution with collaborator Craig Morris (of Lexington's Ideal Free Distribution--just signed to Happy Happy Birthday to Me Records, and Robert's brother-in-law). When asked about the band in an interview with Optical Atlas, Robert said, "I am not the leader...and neither is Craig. It is someone else." After some wild speculation from readers, he provided a little bit of clarification: "The(e) American Revolution is a band of whom the mastermind is an older musician, we are just doing his bidding!! (I cannot say yet but he is British, is NOT Andy Partridge, and is NOT affiliated with Elephant 6)." When the band issued a press release to announce their official website, it turned out to be a shoddy Angelfire site and a joke on the anonymous "mastermind." (This website appears to have been recently updated, though not by much!) The Bi-Fi Records write-up on the band describes the mastermind as a "psych pop legend who has been out of the industry for a number of years." Meanwhile, a loud, sweaty track from the band, "Subscriptions to Magazines," appeared on the Lexington comp "Know Your Own Vol. 2" (you can download the song here), and established the American Revolution sound as headbanding garage rock. (Craig calls the song "Grit Magazine," a reference to the infamous door-to-door magazine whose sole purpose seemed to be the child labor involved in selling it.)

Another clue to the personality behind the band came when they recently played a show in Lexington: Robert thanked a "Billy" midway through the setlist, according to Samantha Herald's concert review. Then late on Sunday night Optical Atlas received a missive from one "William Shears"...

"My Colleagues C. Morris and R. Schneider advised me to contact you regarding my Wishes, which 'though they are few by comparison with my Regrets (as with each year I both more nearly approach Antiquity, and more vigorously retreat from it), nevertheless are compelling me to write your Organisation in light of the Anniversary of the American Independence Day." Note the British spelling of "organization." The letter goes on to say, "You will find enclosed with this Correspondence 'She's Coming Down' by the American Revolution, which I have composed in collaboration with R. and C. This was the first Song I composed with the American Revolution, who persuaded me to play the Piano for the first time in ten years or more."

It was Mr. Shears' wish to share this recording with the world for free on the morning of July 4, so you can find the link for download below. When I went back to Robert for clarification on the mystery, he wrote: "No no there is no mystery to the American Revolution the clues are all in the music!!!" So be it! Happy Independence Day.

She's Coming Down - Thee American Revolution

Bi-Fi Records anticipates releasing an American Revolution EP later in the year, Buddha Electrostorm, with art by Will Cullen Hart of Olivia Tremor Control and Circulatory System.