Arm the Poor
Who They Are
Arm the Poor is a four-piece from Tampa, Florida, that has been producing their own unique brand of ska-punk since 2005. While the group last toured in 2010, they have hinted at the prospect of an upcoming reunion and are currently issuing remastered versions of the original tracks on the newly minted DIY indie label Toe-Tapper Records.
Why You Should Listen
In the mid-nineties, Bay Area outfits like Rancid, Green Day, and The Offspring defied all odds to finally bring punk to the masses. While the genre may not have retained its multi-platinum appeal, Arm the Poor is here to prove that their legacy is still alive and well today. Emerging from the crude, raucous, and Budweiser-fueled Tampa punk scene, much of Arm the Poor’s catalog is an all-out blitz of rapid-fire percussion, redlining guitar, high-powered bass, and rough-hewn vocals. Sonically, the group does everything right, combining classic first wave punk with elements of ska and hardcore. Think Bad Religion meets NOFX with a healthy dose of Minor Threat for good measure. Naturally, this soundscape provides the perfect backdrop to Arm the Poor’s cathartic, biting lyrics, many of which chart what lead singer Adam O’Leary calls “a very toxic period for all of us”. Yet, dig beneath all of the unapologetically coarse punk bravado and you’ll find some serious refinement. Dueling guitars punch out tight, intricate riffs with immeasurable accuracy, while the expert rhythm section adds remarkable depth and propels the tempo to dizzying speeds.
What You Should Listen To
Last December, Arm the Poor released Vomnibus, an anthology of their first two EPs that charts the band’s tumultuous early years through ten potent songs. Spending 25 minutes to meander through the album’s various twists and turns and highs and lows will truly be a listening experience unlike any you’ve had before. Plus, Toe-Tapper Records is doing a limited run of 100 pressings if you just so happen to be a vinyl aficionado. Still not satisfied? Arm the Poor plans to release even more of their original recordings in the near future, so be sure to check their Facebook and Bandcamp for all the latest updates.