Video: AJJ, ‘Goodbye, Oh Goodbye’

Jessica Shalvoy on July 13th, 2016

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If you can’t beat ’em; join ’em. If you can’t join ’em; rip ’em off. That’s exactly what AJJ, formerly known as Andrew Jackson Jihad, did in their latest video mocking the ideals that propel OK Go‘s viral career. Don’t worry, the Phoenix quartet have nothing but love for OK Go — it must be true because a tweet told us so. Sean Bonnette (lead vocals/guitar), Ben Gallaty (bass), Preston Bryant (lead guitar), and Mark Glick (cello) are focusing on the future after 12 years of Andrew Jackson Jihad. They posted this statement in February for fans online to explain the new moniker, “1.) We are not Muslims, and as such, it is disrespectful and irresponsible for us to use the word jihad in our band’s name. 2.) We no longer wish to be a living reminder of President Andrew Jackson. Interesting historical figure as he was, he was an odious person and our fascination with him has grown stale.”

Now AJJ have released a new single and video ahead of their sixth studio album, “The Bible 2,” due Aug. 19 via SideOneDummy. The single, “Goodbye, Oh Goodbye,” offers a satisfying helping of the garage pop fans have come to expect from AJJ. The dark lyrics are masked by a cheery tune and an even happier single-take video. It serves as a mini mockumentary complete with a “behind the scenes” bit a little over three minutes in. AJJ try — and gloriously fail — to take on an OK Go-style video featuring a bottle of Soylent, an unhappy man in a chicken suit, an underwhelming number of rainbow balls and confetti, a hipster choreographer and tame versions of dad dancing, all while bearing a striking resemblance to The Wiggles. Ask someone who’s chosen to procreate if you don’t know what a Wiggle is. Beyoncé they are not. OK Go they are not. Ladies and gentleman, AJJ.

||| Watch: “Goodbye, Oh Goodbye”