Don't You Fake It

The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus

Product Details

• Audio CD (July 18, 2006)
• Original Release Date: July 18, 2006
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Virgin Records Us
• ASIN: B000G0MI86
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (99 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #5,089 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

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Editorial Reviews

About the Artist

THE RED JUMPSUIT APPARATUS Ronnie Winter – lead vocals Elias Reidy – guitar, vocals Duke Kitchens – guitar, vocals Joey Westwood – bass, vocals Jon Wilkes – drums, vocals

What’s in a name? Well, it depends who came up with it. In the case of Middleburg, Florida quintet The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus, it might mean anything. 

Strange then that The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus means…absolutely nothing. "It’s 100 percent completely arbitrary," laughs singer Ronnie Winter. "When we started the band, we only cared about having a good time and writing good songs far more than coming up with some symbolic, incredibly intelligent name."

"I think it’s funny when bands scramble their brains to try and come up with some unique, untouchable band name," adds guitarist Elias Reidy. "Why waste time thinking of something when we could be concentrating on music instead? The locals loved it, so we went with it."

A brief listen to The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus’ debut and it’s obvious that these boys have spent a lot of time concentrating on their music. Their songs are flush with the determination, hunger and energy of youth (the average age in the band is 21). And while they tap into elements of pop-punk, pop, screamo, and metal, they combine them in a way that’s both surprising and invigorating

Winter and Kitchens formed The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus in 2003 just for kicks. For 18 months they wrote and rehearsed with no real intention of playing shows or recording an album. When some friends who heard them jam suggested they play out, The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus started booking gigs and were immediately embraced by the local scene. "We played this place called The Art Bar twice, and the second time we played it, we sold it out," Winter says.

Encouraged by the response, The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus contacted the owner of a local studio to see if they were ready to start recording. When the response was a resounding yes, they recorded their first EP, using it to promote themselves wherever they could – online and at local concerts, high schools, colleges, malls, beaches and other locations across Florida. 

The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus entered the studio last year with producer David Bendeth, who has previously worked with Hawthorne Heights and Breaking Benjamin.

There may have been a time when they didn’t know if they were ready to be heard, but those days are gone, and now they’re eager to tour the world and beyond with the conviction that, when your music speaks so eloquently, who cares what’s in a name?

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wow, July 22, 2006

A Kid's Review

I was so shocked when I heard this group. I had recently heard "Face Down" on TV & I thought I might check it out online. Well, that became my favorite song of all time and I just had to have the CD. Yes, there is screaming parts in it, but that's not the whole entire CD. The screaming actually makes The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus stand out from other groups. I loved all of the songs and here's my review.

In Fate's Hands: 4/5 - This was a great song to start the CD off. An upbeat, catchy song with great lyrics.

Waiting: 5/5 - I loved this song just after a few seconds of listening to it. The guitar's in it make this a truely unique song.

False Pretense: 4.5/5 - I couldn't give this song just a 4, nor 5. I love the parts where they sing "ca ca ca cause you know". But it's a bit short and I wish they had made the song longer because I loved it.

Face Down: 10/5 - My favorite song on the album and of all time. And it's not some pop song coated with sugar. It's about real life things like abusive relationships and how it affects people. It has a great message in it.

Misery Loves It's Company: 3/5 - Not my favorite, but I definitly like the song. The screaming sort of makes the song less likely to be, well, "liked". But it's still a wonderful song.

Cat and Mouse: 5/5 - I've heard different versions of this song and I LOVED this song. It's not guitars, but a piano, which is something we need to hear more of these days.

Damn Regret: 3/5 - Again, not my favorite, but it's OK. I can listen to it, but not exactly have it on repeat. It's just not that song that has the "WOW" factor, but it's very catchy.

Atrophy: 4/5 - Another one of my favorite songs on the CD. The screaming makes it go "WOW" they can sing, but not just with the screaming. I mean, I don't like songs with screaming being the whole song, but in parts, it can be kind of cool.

Seventeen Ain't so Sweet: 5/5 - Again, I've heard different versions of this song, and I loved it. Even my parent's like the song, which I don't hear very often.

Justify: 3/5 - Probably my least favorite song. I'm able to listen to it, but it doesn't affect me at all. It's just one of those songs that people go "eh, it was OK"

Your Guardian Angel: 5/5 - I LOVED THIS SONG! It starts off with an acoustic guitar and then goes into a power ballad which I loved.

The Hidden Track
Grim Goodbye: 4/5 - This song has the most screaming in it. And it's the longest song I've ever heard. About 7 minutes and 30 seconds or so. It's very powerful and I love the lyrics.


Overall, The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus rocks.

13 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars the more I listened, the more they won me over, February 14, 2007

By	George Dionne (Cape Cod, MA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

The Good
If you had to pick out two things that stand out when listening to "In Fates Hand" you'd most certainly mention the quick-fire drum beats and riot inducing vocals. Driving rhythms and harmonic vocals set the pace for "Waiting." Chugga-chugga riffage dominate "Face Down," while the storyline delves into domestic violence. An unexpected piano piece sets the ballad "Cat and Mouse" into motion. Smooth vocal melodies continue throughout the track, along with more piano enhancement. Monster riffs run rampant on "Damn Regret." Somehow in the onslaught of distortion, the group manages to pull of some great multi-part vocals. "Atrophy" walks the line between emo and punk rock with its charging progression and belting vocals. "Justify" has one of those memorable riffs that make you want to take guitar lessons.

The Bad
Nothing notable

The Verdict
I was quick to dismiss The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus as another whiney emo band after their first track, but the more I listened, the more they won me over. Sure, they do delve into that genre a bit here and there, but they add other elements of rock that help create their own sound. If you're itching for something new, fun, and energetic; then look no further.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I'm a little behind the curve but this CD is excellent, May 5, 2007

By	Curtis Rowe (Enterprise Alabama) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Okay, I am a high school teacher in my mid-30's so what the heck do I know? More than you think! Well, I have heard a lot of music and am very aware of what young people listen to---even more than their own parents. This CD is terrific in all respects and the lyrics are well written. These guys are clean entertainment and are obviously spiritual but they do not sell their material as Christian rock. These guys are incredible live and are personable young men who sing and play with a passion. The lead singer screams in key and has a vocal range beyond any band I have heard in years.

The guitars and effects create an atmosphere that brings back memories of early Cure although RJA's sound is all their own. I would not call their music Screamo, emo, or alternative since these terms are limiting and overused and do not begin to describe this band that has the talent to outlive these restrictive categories. Thanks RJA for donating your time to the Enterprise High School benefit concert on May 3rd.