The Forest Rangers (band)

Lore & Background

The band was formed when Bob Thiele Jr., Dave Way, and Dave Kushner chose the name while writing the show's theme song 'This Life,' inspired by a Plexi's song titled 'Forest Ranger.' The regular band members include Davey Faragher on bass guitar, John Philip Shenale on keyboards, Greg Leisz on pedal steel guitar, Matt Chamberlain on drums, and Gia Ciambotti on background vocals. They collaborated with guest vocalists such as Alison Mosshart, Amos Lee, Joshua James, The White Buffalo, Billy Valentine, Audra Mae, Justin Warfield, Battleme, and Katey Sagal.

The music of The Forest Rangers was designed to match the environment of the characters, described as 'The Sound of Charming.' According to Bob Thiele Jr., if there were a house band playing at the Sons of Anarchy clubhouse every Friday night, the Forest Rangers would be that band. The band's sound blends rock and country, consistent with the show's setting, while the Mayans M.C. listen to Latino music. The production's small budget led Thiele Jr. to work with independent artists to include 'big-ticket copyrights,' and the exposure helped artists like The White Buffalo gain significant career traction and an Emmy nomination.

Reader's Guide

The Forest Rangers redefined how a TV series uses music as a narrative element, with Kurt Sutter noting that music plays the role of a character. The soundtrack fits because the songs feel like what the characters themselves would choose to listen to. The music often leads scenes rather than underscoring them, forming a connection between present and past. The Hamlet theme of Sons of Anarchy is underlined by the theme song 'This Life,' which reminds viewers to 'look this life in the eye.' A notable montage set to a cover of Queen's 'Bohemian Rhapsody' featured children singing, arranged by choral director Ellen. The band released four soundtrack volumes, three EPs, and a debut album 'Land Ho!' in 2015. They toured in 2013 with Katey Sagal and cast members, and the core musicians later formed 'The Reluctant Apostles' with Sagal as lead singer. Their legacy lies in creating an authentic, raw sound that resonated across age groups and enhanced the emotional journey of the series.

Did You Know?

• The band's name was inspired by a Plexi's song titled 'Forest Ranger.'
• The cover of Queen's 'Bohemian Rhapsody' used in Season 7, Episode 1 featured three children singing three-part harmony.
• In 2015, The Forest Rangers released 'Come Join The Murder' with John Doe and donated profits to the Pablove Foundation for Childhood Cancer Awareness Month.
• Bob Thiele Jr.'s father, Bob Thiele, co-wrote the song 'What a Wonderful World,' which was covered by The Forest Rangers and Alison Mosshart for a Season 4 montage.