Prayers For Atheists (PFA) is the first punk band signed to Strange Famous Records (SFR), the independent Rhode Island music label owned by renowned hip hop artist, Sage Francis. Fronted by longtime SFR affiliate, Jared Paul and Providence song writer, Alan Hague, PFA delivers the well-crafted and thought provoking lyrics that listeners have come to expect from Strange Famous. Thrashing rapidly between mid-80’s hardcore punk, counter-culture victory anthems, and politically-slanted hip hop, Prayers For Atheists gracefully snake in and out of genres while escaping lazy categorization. Using creative concepts to address pressing topical issues, the music remains fueled by the message, while the band demonstrates a sense of victory and hope. These songs are labor testimonials, dance jams, and anti-war hymns executed with heart, craft and integrity. PFA’s 2009 self-titled 8 song EP was a forceful opening statement for a group who intends on shaking things up while having fun doing it. It’s not macabre music. And it’s not cynical. That would be too easy.

We mix a bunch of things. Punk-Hardcore-Reggae-Ska.

We first got together to play a riot grrl cover show and continued to form a band out of it. Our name has a radical history behind it, it came from the witch trails. Many people don’t realize that even today, witch hunts still occur, mostly in Africa. Over 40,000 women were killed. Witch hunts were patriarchal and ended up being a gendercide. Women were targeted as witches if they were open about their sexuality, poor and asked for resources but could not return any, practiced medicine without consent from the church/men.

La Armada’s focus is to leave their mark on heavy music. A punk band at heart, they utilize elements of Afro-Caribbean rhythms and metal to create a style as unique as their story. Formed in the Dominican Republic in 2001 from where they dominated the Caribbean scene for years, the band opted to take a leap and relocate to Chicago in 2008, where they still reside.

Influenced by bands ranging from the Bad Brains to Death, they take elements from their native Island’s music to conjure a unique recipe; explosive live energy, and a clear cut narrative that highlights the effects of neo-colonialism on vulnerable communities.

Whether headlining tours throughout the world or supporting the likes of Sick of it All, Propaghandi, Strung Out, Death by stereo, and more, La Armada has come to bring a vibrant spin to the scene.