In a statement made on Twitter and their website earlier this evening, Phoenix folk-punk outfit Andrew Jackson Jihad have officially changed their name to AJJ because they no longer feel, after 12 years of playing music, that the name is appropriate.
1.We are officially changing our name from Andrew Jackson Jihad to the simple, familiar abbreviation that most of you already call us: AJJ.
— AJJ (@AJJtheBand) February 24, 2016
2 reasons : a) We are not Muslims, and as such, it is disrespectful and irresponsible for us to use the word jihad in our band's name.
— AJJ (@AJJtheBand) February 24, 2016
B) Interesting historical figure as he was, Andrew Jackson was an odious person and our fascination with him has grown stale.
— AJJ (@AJJtheBand) February 24, 2016
You can read more about the reasoning behind their decision here, on their website. Now that they're just AJJ, you can make up whatever acronym you want for them, which makes this news even better. They also premiered a new song and video—very polite of them I must say—aptly titled, "Now That I'm At The Top OF My Game." Check it out below.
Annalise Domenighini has an Andrew Jackson Jihad "snuggly" that she wears in the office every day, but is now reconsidering some things. Find out what she does about it on Twitter.