From: owner-ammf-digest@smoe.org (alt.music.moxy-fruvous digest) To: ammf-digest@smoe.org Subject: alt.music.moxy-fruvous digest V1 #180 Reply-To: ammf@smoe.org Sender: owner-ammf-digest@smoe.org Errors-To: owner-ammf-digest@smoe.org Precedence: bulk alt.music.moxy-fruvous digest Thursday, July 30 1998 Volume 01 : Number 180 Today's Subjects: ----------------- Re: OT: Grey Eye Glances [dgodwin1@aol.com (DGodwin1)] Re: Annapolis Review....*happy sigh* :-) [dgodwin1@aol.com (DGodwin1)] Re: SoNo show 8/1 [ourhamster@aol.com (OurHamster)] Re: branching out in musical tastes... [ourhamster@aol.com (OurHamster)] Big news about Jim's Big Ego [Ofer Inbar ] Gasp! The City Paper says nice things about Fruvous. [cricket5@hotmail.co] Rams Head review [traugottcm@aol.com (TraugottCM)] ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: 30 Jul 1998 19:23:09 GMT From: dgodwin1@aol.com (DGodwin1) Subject: Re: OT: Grey Eye Glances If we're gonna promote other great bands, The Nields are playing this Sunday in Buffalo, at Mickey Ratts. I saw an article today in the Buffalo News about it. I hope to see other Fruheads there! Daniel Never be critical of someone else until you've walked three hundred miles in their shoes...that way you be 300 miles away from them, and have their pair of shoes (Rockapella Banter) ------------------------------ Date: 30 Jul 1998 19:31:17 GMT From: dgodwin1@aol.com (DGodwin1) Subject: Re: Annapolis Review....*happy sigh* :-) >> >Anyone get a tape? I would *KILL* for one. >> >> *laugh* Mar... >> I don't believe you. >> Look in the mirror. You, kill, for ANYthing? No way. No chance. >> >Can I use you as a character witness? > I don't know if I'd kill for a tape, but I think I would give my right arm for one. Daniel Never be critical of someone else until you've walked three hundred miles in their shoes...that way you be 300 miles away from them, and have their pair of shoes (Rockapella Banter) ------------------------------ Date: 30 Jul 1998 19:26:17 GMT From: ourhamster@aol.com (OurHamster) Subject: Re: SoNo show 8/1 >also, if there's anyone interested in splitting fuel and toll expenses, i >have a car and am planning to go to toronto for the bonus weekend. >again, i just REALLY don't want to drive alone. ...and also can't afford >to. Well, if you're in any region of New York State, count me in! In fact, if ANYONE from NY is taking a road trip to the Toronto bonus weekend (or SoNo, or pretty much any other concert), make sure to contact me! Either this address, or KingOfPants@juno.com always looking for a ride... - --Novac "Write a wise saying and your name will live forever." -- Anonymous ------------------------------ Date: 30 Jul 1998 19:47:37 GMT From: ourhamster@aol.com (OurHamster) Subject: Re: branching out in musical tastes... >Hello, all! I'm brand spankin' new to a.m.m-f, since I just recently got a >good >enough connection to join. Let me first note that my messages are always >either >very short, or very long, and this one won't be a short one. > >A bit of background info. before I begin: >I'm Scott Jesmore, but I prefer to be called "Novac". I attend all the shows >I >can in Syracuse, Oswego, Rochester, Buffalo, and Niagra Falls (though I >missed >the Media Play concert *grrrr*).You'll rarely see me in anything but a >t-shirt >with some sort of cartoon character or witty quip on it, and I usually wander >out to Fruvous concerts alone. > >Nonetheless, onto interesting information. I have been listening to a band >for >a couple years now called "Ookla the Mok". The two lead singers attended the >same college as me (a few years before I was there), and they have a small >but >loyal following. They're quite "off the beaten trail" of contemporary music. >They make a lot of arcane references in their lyrics--especially comic book >references and references to childhood. ("View-Master" is a complete and >utter >tribute to stuff from childhood, from Scooby Doo to Captain Kangaroo, from >Star >Wars action figures to Hungry Hungry Hippos). >I'll admit that they're not for everyone, and I probably wouldn't have >brought >them up if it wasn't for the last concert of theirs that I attended in >Buffalo. >When I got there, I noticed a familiar face--it was a FruHead! Dave ("The >Man" >from the Buff. show). It seems his GF (another Fruhead, whose name I don't >know...apologies) is also an OTM fan. >Thus, I offer Ookla the Mok up for you to decide whether you enjoy them or >not. >Sound clips are available at their website, http://www.otmfan.com > OK...I was talking to one of the guys from Ookla the Mok over e-mail, and I mentioned Fruvous to him. This is what he wrote: "actually, i've know the guys in mf for a while (since before they signed a record deal). i'm on a first name basis with mike ford, who has heard our stuff. ... his capsule comment on super secret was, "fucking awesome" (don't blame me, he said it). he also commented that he'd like to cover stop talking about comic books or i'll kill you, but i think he was just being nice." So, even cooler is that my suggestion to the NG about Ookla turned out to be substantiated, since MF and OtM have pre-existing connections. I'll shut up now, - --Novac "Write a wise saying and your name will live forever." -- Anonymous ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 30 Jul 1998 20:07:24 GMT From: Ofer Inbar Subject: Big news about Jim's Big Ego This is from Jim's mailing list... - ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Dear Egomaniacs, This message is jam packed with some long-overdue news about the Big Ego. Please read carefully! Jim's Big Ego is proud to announce that we recently signed a multi-record deal with Eastern Front Records, a well-established and highly-respected independent record company based in Massachusetts! Eastern Front (http://www.easternfront.com) has an amazing dedicated staff and a catalogue of impressive releases by distinguished artists such as Peter Mulvey, Barbara Kessler, Laurie Geltman Band, Kevin Connolly, Ellis Paul, Greg Greenway & Martin Sexton. They also recently released The River, 92.5, WXRV's "Live From the River Music Hall" compilation featuring live tracks by Barenaked Ladies, Ani DiFranco, Tori Amos and others. So as you may have guessed, this means the NEXT CD will be out really really soon!!! That's right - "Don't Get Smart", the long awaited studio album from Jim's Big Ego will be in stores nationwide starting SEPTEMBER 15, 1998. "Don't Get Smart" will contain 11 tracks including: "||:This Message:||", "Ahead of the Curve", "Cheat to Lose", "The Jumblies", "Feelin' Groovy" and others. (A special internet-only sneak preview of one of the tracks will be available at the Big Ego Website on August 5.) The disc features Jim on lead guitars, vocals, vibes & Theramin, Kurt Uenala on upright bass & vocals, Dylan Callahan on drums & vocals, David Spak on percussion, as well as special guest appearances by Jennifer Kimball, David Nields, David Wilcox and others. As if that is not enough, "Don't Get Smart" will also contain a special CD-Rom Timewaster designed by longtime fan and friend, Matt Cohen & Moody Food Design. Slide the disc into your computer and you will get a mug full of tasty Ego-madness including a hidden bonus track! In conjunction with the release, Jim's Big Ego will embark on a huge fall promotional tour which kicks off on THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 24 with a CD-RELEASE PARTY at TT The Bear's in Cambridge, MA. Details will follow but reserve the date now! Because of commitments to their own music projects, Kurt and Dylan will not be joining Jim on tour to support the new CD. Kurt's band, "My Favorite Relative," is courting world-wide fame. We encourage you to check them out. Dylan has dropped the drums and picked up the acoustic guitar to show off his talent as a singer-songwriter. Be sure to look for "Dylan!" at coffeehouses and clubs in your area. We wish them both the best! Meanwhile, Jim has been spending the summer picking through the cream of the Boston scene to find players who will join him on the fall tour and beyond. Look for the new lineup in a club near you! Well that's all the news for now. What a mouth-full... Don't forget to visit our site - we'll keep you informed! - ---------------------------------------------------------------------- -- Cos (Ofer Inbar) -- cos@leftbank.com cos@cs.brandeis.edu -- The Left Bank Operation -- lbo@leftbank.com http://www.leftbank.com/ "I'm addicted to stress that's the way that I get things done if I'm not under pressure then I sleep too long and I hang around like a bum I think I'm going nowhere and that makes me nervous..." -- Jim Infantino, "Stress" ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 30 Jul 1998 20:34:25 GMT From: cricket5@hotmail.com Subject: Gasp! The City Paper says nice things about Fruvous. Check out this week's Philadelphia City Paper... http://www.cpcn.com/articles/073098/pick.moxy.shtml It's *THE* premier entertainment news source in Philadelphia. There's a quote from Jian that's so hysterical, it'll probably get me fired for laughing so loudly while "working." Mary cricket5@hotmail.com PS T-shirt collectors...I forgot to mention in my review that Tobey has a new one for sale. Check it out! - -----== Posted via Deja News, The Leader in Internet Discussion ==----- http://www.dejanews.com/rg_mkgrp.xp Create Your Own Free Member Forum ------------------------------ Date: 30 Jul 1998 20:59:50 GMT From: traugottcm@aol.com (TraugottCM) Subject: Rams Head review Fruvous' first experience in Annapolis was a very positive one, at least as far as the audience was concerned. Zard and I pulled into the Rams Head Tavern around 7:30, just in time to catch the tail end of the Gray Eye Glances sound check. The lobby was full of folks, including a few fruheads, so Zard and I had a chance to catch up with Mary, Melzie, Paul (of DVN fame), Jessica, Dan Carps, and Andrew Bray and his friend Laura before the doors even opened. Once inside, we found that Zard had called early enough to get assigned seats close to the stage, stage Murray. Very stage Murray; I felt like we were practically sitting on his mic stand, and felt a little foolish when I succumbed to taking notes. My brain is so fried from the frenetic job search and the task of doing a two-person job in my current situation that I knew I would be hopeless with set lists without a little cheat sheet. As it turned out I needn't have bothered, Zard snagged a set list at the end of the show, but anyway….. I did feel sort of stupid sitting there with my little pen and paper, but I know my limits, and I definitely reached them this week! Gray Eye Glances opened around 8:30, and I enjoyed their set. They soldiered through some significant sound problems, but the set over all was solid. I wouldn't have chosen them as an opener for Fruvous if I were the "god of booking," the music styles are dissimilar enough that after the GEG set I felt quite relaxed and mellow, but not "up" the way I usually feel before a Fruvous show. Nonetheless, I'm looking forward to seeing them again tonight, I enjoy listening to the lead singer. After a quick set change, the announcer said that Fruvous would be on stage shortly, but that there were some local friends of theirs at the venue and that Fruvous wanted to invite them up on stage. For a brief moment, Zard and I thought we might have missed seeing the other ¾ of DVN and that they were going to sing with Fruvous, but then Mike Ford walked out grinning his "good show" grin and Zard fairly wriggled in anticipation of the "four solos" opener. Mike started off by saying he had just read an article about Brian Mulroney, a name he hadn't heard in a long time, and began to reminisce about Mulroney's days in office and the "subsidiary mentality" he (Mulroney) had towards life. Mike talked about the Shamrock Summit, when Reagan met with Mulroney to discuss North American affairs, and Mike claimed that Reagan actually asked Mulroney, off the record, "how much for Canada?" Mike then launched into "Rally Around the Maypole." Next up was Murray, or Billy Bob McBride, as he introduced himself. He walked slowly out on stage, pausing every few steps to look around him uncertainly, big blue eyes peering out from under a floppy straw hat. When he finally got to the center of stage, he picked up the guitar, bashfully introduced himself, and began singing "The Hunt for the Dangerous Pork Tenderloin." A country ballad about a murderous pork tenderloin running rampant around the countryside, sung in the finest Hank Williams/Roy Rogers tradition, complete with nasal intonations and high pitched cracks of the voice. I'm not sure what rarified air the Murman has been breathing recently, but I must say that "Pork Tenderloin" and "Pisco Bandito" are wonderful showcases for the wacky side of his sense of humor, and I like it. Jian took the stage next, and in a thick Middle Eastern accent introduced himself as Hamid and said how happy he was to be playing in "Hannapolis." Of course the audience laughed, and Jian derided them for laughing at the guy with the accent. He then described himself as a Canadian citizen of Iranian descent, or "the ultimate paradox for an American audience. Is he the friendly, but inferior neighbor to the North, or the evil, bitter foe bent on the destruction of the western world." He then said that he really identified more with the Canadian citizen part, so he guessed he was the inferior friend with a few bitter feelings. Jian sang Follow the Road. Out came Dave, rubbing his scalp and grinning a little as he introduced his song about "male patterned romance." He said he was working on a trilogy, but had only finished two so it was more of "a biology." With the look on his face and that intro it was hard to tell if we were supposed to take the song seriously or not, but as Zard said "It is always best to not take them seriously." Dave sang two songs, titled (I think) "I Fall in Love" and "The Moon is a Silver Dollar" (or 60 cents Canadian - Dave's aside). I had never heard either song before, but they had a '40's "Frank Sinatra" quality to them, and of course, sounded beautiful. A few moments of empty stage, then the whole fru-four came on and began with Down From Above. I was very happy to hear that one, as the last time I think I heard it live was in Clinton, May 97. Next came Horseshoes, Fly, Present Tense Tureen and Johnny Saucep'n, all with a minimal amount of banter. Murray commented, as Dave was "tuning" the banjo, that they were trying really hard not to say anything, but it was really hard as they had so much to say. Zard and I got a chuckle out of that one. When they finished Saucep'n, they stepped away from their mics and all stood in the corner right of the stage in front of our table. Did I mention earlier that I felt like we were too close? We were definitely too close at this point. Jian and Mike began to make fun of the layout of the venue (very long and rectangular with seating far off to the left of the stage.) Mike asked if the audience there had to pay full price. Jian then began the intro for Boss and Mike leapt off the stage, grabbed someone's spoon and started tapping on a water glass. The audience started to cheer, and Mike said "You hear that, that means Dave and Murray have to kiss now." The audience yelled louder and Mike said "Oooo, they *liked* that idea!" Then they started Boss and Jian began dancing through the audience over to the "bad seats," the three others in tow behind him. The did the whole song off mic, Jian shimmying in front of various audience members and jumping up and down from chairs. The audience loved it. Next came King of Spain, with Dave in Billy Bob McBride's floppy straw hat for a crown, then Boo Time without hats of any kind. Then Mistra Know It All. I love this song, especially Murray's bass solo (duh!). The whole bass line this time seemed souped up a bit, and the solo was the sweetest I've ever heard Murray play, topped off with a really slick slide. Chad M., I wish you'd been there! Breathtaking! Mike took the bongos, and as he was dancing around joked about Deus Ex Machina, hummed part of a Police ditty, then offered that the next song was "A Spaniard in the Works." (those who remember the Police might get those references). More wacky Mur-humor with Pisco Bandito, which had the whole room "chair dancing" and laughing with delight. I can hardly wait to get my hands on a copy of that song, it's a perfect summer ditty. Makes me feel like drinking a Margherita. Dave did the intro for the Kids Song this time. When asked who hadn't been included in the Spicer commission's survey, Jian offered "soccer playing Persians," Mike suggested "high mountain sweet grouse berry collectors," and Murray said, simply, "the frumpy." Mike and Murray were hysterical as the little kids, Mike dancing stiffly around like a little boy trying hard to remember the steps, and Murray making faces and yelling "you stink!" Very cute version. Jian then talked about the article about Fruvous, in the Washington Post , and said that the Post said the live album was brilliant. "Well, they sort of said that. They implied it," said Jian. "They used 'Live Noise' and 'brilliant' in the same edition of the paper. We cut out 'brilliant' and taped it next to 'Live Noise,'" said Murray. Next came I Will Hold On, which I like better each time I hear it. The harmonies on this one really seem to be developing and are sounding very full and layered now. After that came a little tease of Bruce Springsteen songs, courtesy of Dave, followed by BJ. They then skipped 2 songs (Laika and Half As Much, according to the set list) and sang Message. Somehow, while trying to introduce Michigan Militia, Jian got the guys on to the subject of "8 is Enough" (70s/early 80's TV show) and talked about how he always thought Dick Van Patten and company sang the theme song. A little impromptu jam of the 8 is Enough theme song, comments about a few of the characters, including the annoying little boy called Nicholas, and fellow with the long curly hair (Tommy?) who had a band on the show. Then Murray and Jian got into a little disagreement about whether 8 is Enough was a sit-com (Murray) or a drama (Jian). This led to the "interrogatory" schtick, with Jian saying he needed a sense of the collective and one ness, Mike attempting an intervention and Murray staring at the floor shaking his head. That soon became Towels from Home, and somehow Dave managed to get them back to Michigan Militia. Next came Organ Grinder, and oldie but goodie tht brought a big old grin to my face, followed by Get In the Car and Psycho Killer. Jian thanked everyone who had come out to see them and for sitting through a three hour show ("oh twist our arms and make us listen to you for 2 hours Jian, please!") and said it was nice to see some old faces too. Not sure how I feel about "old," perhaps "familiar?" The guys left the stage to raucous applause, then returned for a first encore of Authors and Dancing Queen medley. The guys were all chattering a bit while Mike was posturing as Lou Reed, Murray especially was dropping little bits in here and there. Mike then did his poet of New York verse, rhyming Manhattan with something about oral sex with Dick Van Patten. Murray did a double take and said, "Okay, I'll stop talking, now" and walked away from the mic. The second encore started with a plug for Da Vinci's Notebook and another thank you to the audience. I was expecting an off mic Gulf War, but once again was in for a surprise (see Catherine - Frufoot, always a surprise! ;-) ). This was a song that sounded familiar to me, with a refrain of I Shall Be Released, but I don't know the title or the artist. Fun way to close, although not as powerful for me as Drinking Song or Gulf War Song (or anything by Elvis Costello. ;-) ). So, another wonderful show and a great introduction to Fruvous for Annapolis (or the other way around depending on your point of view I guess). It was great to see so many fruheads there, (Wendy, Jen, Jenn, Jo, in addition to everyone I met in the lobby) and to meet so many new faces, like John, Joan, Jason, Dean. Ellen, …… I know I'm forgetting someone, forgive me I'm terrible with names and had put away my pen and cheat sheet. Looking forward to the Birchmere tonight, although how I'm going to keep Zard in her seat two nights running is beyond me! chris **** "And where would we be without a bass guitarist?" Ani DiFranco ------------------------------ End of alt.music.moxy-fruvous digest V1 #180 ********************************************