Singer and songwriter Brad Skistimas, who appears under the stage name Five Times August, has signed a single song deal with Nashville-based Baste Records.
The single song deal will also feature that former drummer of The Offspring Pete Parada.
The musicians’ single, which will be released in the coming months, will be titled, “Ain’t No Rock and Roll.” Baste Records said the collaboration “marks an exciting new chapter” in Skistimas’ career.
“We are thrilled to welcome Five Times August to the Baste Records family,” said Baste Records CEO Matthew Azrieli in a statement per the Post Millennial. “Brad Skistimas has a unique ability to craft music that resonates deeply with listeners, and we are honored to support and amplify his artistic vision.”
“We believe that this partnership will lead to extraordinary musical experiences and open up new horizons for Five Times August.”
Exciting news! We're thrilled to partner with the talented and courageous @FiveTimesAugust, who fearlessly stands against censorship and government corruption.
We look forward to working with @FiveTimesAugust, and we have more exciting announcements coming very soon! pic.twitter.com/6TAfvVor4u
— Baste Records (@basterecords) June 14, 2023
Baste Records noted Skistimas’ “ability to capture raw emotions singing about modern day issues.”
“I am grateful for the opportunity to work with Baste Records on this upcoming single release. Their reputation for excellence and commitment to nurturing artists aligns perfectly with my artistic goals. I can’t wait to share this new music with the world and embark on this exciting journey with Baste Records,” Skistimas said.
Baste Records is a “platform for conservative musicians and artists to reach a wider audience and share their beliefs and values through their music,” according to their website.
The record company further describes itself as an alternative to the “mainstream music industry [which] is often dominated by liberal or progressive values.”
Parada, who began his tenure with the Offspring in 2007, was kicked out of the back in 2021 after refusing to receive the COVID-19 vaccine citing the drummer had Guillain-Barré syndrome. Parada further noted his doctor advised against taking the vaccination and suggested the medical procedure could lead to further health risks.
The former Offspring drummer detailed the incident in an August 2021 tweet thread.
“I caught the virus over a year ago, it was mild for me – so I am confident I’d be able to handle it again, but I’m not so certain I’d survive another post-vaccination round of Guillain-Barré Syndrome,” Parada said, adding that “the risks far outweigh the benefits.”
which dates back to my childhood and has evolved to be progressively worse over my lifetime. Unfortunately for me, (and my family – who is hoping to keep me around a bit longer) the risks far outweigh the benefits. 4/17
— Pete Parada (@PeteParada) August 2, 2021
“While my reason for not getting this jab is medical, I want to make sure I’m not carving out a space that is only big enough for me,” he continued. “I need to state, unequivocally, that I support informed consent — which necessitates choice unburdened by coercion.”
Following his departure from the Offspring, Parada partnered with Timcast owner and CEO Tim Pool for a series of songs released by the podcaster.
Pool’s “Only Ever Wanted” was released in August 2022, followed by the release of “Genocide” in November.
In March, Pool released his latest single “Bright Eyes,” featuring Phil Labonte, lead singer of heavy metal band All That Remains.
Pool’s songs were produced, mixed, and mastered by Carter Banks.
Skistimas rose to notoriety after releasing a series of folk songs throughout the COVID-19. The songs, while not explicitly addressing politics or the pandemic, featured social commentary on the United States and culture.
“Sad Little Man,” released by Five Times August in late 2021, features imagery of a traveling vendor selling a product designed to harm his customers. While the song does not directly mention former director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) Anthony Fauci, the music video features images of the former NIAID director as the traveling salesman as Skistimas says “fear is the drug that the doc prescribes.”
Shortly after its release, the song was removed from YouTube due to “medical misinformation.”
Five Times August’s songs released throughout the COVID-19 pandemic were compiled and released as an album in 2022 titled Silent War.
