Zeitgeist Reviews -FYDOLLA HO, OPAQUE, ATOMIC JEFFERSON

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CD OF THE WEEK

FYDOLLA HO - Untied

Some of you may remember this band as support on the Almightys illfated comeback tour. But probably not. I only popped this in the CD for purely venal purposes. After all, the vocalist is the delectable Shawnee Smith, one of my primary reasons for having the Paramaount Comedy channel. For six years she was lead singer/songwriter of the band Miriam Fay, and when they fell apart, the roots of Fydolla Ho were lain.

Shawnee founded the band with Robert Trujillo, formelrly of Suicidal Tendencies and now Metallica, Roy Mayorga, who has played drums with Soulfly, Shelter and Dave Navarro, Rick Battson also formerly of Suicidal Tendencies and a member of Miriam Fay, alongside Shawnee, and Benji, vocalist with Dub War and Skindred.

Naturally, enough that lineup didn't last, but Shawnee forged ahead with her vision. Influenced by Bjork, PJ Harvey, Beth Orton and Suzanne Vega, amongst others, but wanting to rock hard.

Playing the L.A.club circuit, and crystalised around a rhytm section of Carl Marrelli and Jahny Sprague, with James Mills taking on lead guitar duty, they have ended up with a punk / metal hybrid which, unfortunately, doesn't really break any rules or do anything different.

However, what they do, the do very well. "Untied" their 7 track mini LP offers up some excellent tracks, with quality songs and performances. Shawnee doesn't really sing in the classical idiom, rather utilises her voice as another instrument either playing with or fighting against the music, depending on circumstances.

Lyrically, it's surprisingly adolescent for a grown up, but they are very personal, and if that is how Shawnee felt at the time, so mote it be. As far as I can tell, the band is no more, as Shawnee later hooked up with former Billy Idol guitarist, Steve Stevens, to work on a new direction. A shame for this lot could have made it.

Members
Shawnee Smith: Lead Vocals,
Jahny Sprague: Bass,
James Mills: Lead Guitar,
Carl Marelli: Drums

www.fydollaho.com - although it's just a shop with no info
http://www.shawneesmith.com/ hasn't been updated in 2 years so try http://www.shawneesmith.info

FYDOLLA HO

Untied

OPAQUE

ATOMIC JEFFERSON

Opaque - New Ways To Criticise

If you want a pointer to the pain that Opaque can cause, skip forward to Track No 9, "The Squalor and Intimacy of a Man in a Suitcase", and feel your brain melt at the sheer experimental wonder.

It's quite remarkable how, with a little thought and a whole pile of ingenuity, two blokes with guitars can make such a diverse and intense noise. However, if the words avante and experimental send shudders down your spine, then I would suggest you find solace in your Ynwgwie albums, for this is not a place for you.

Exercises in feedback can often be gruelling or boring (hey Neil Young, how you doing) but again, there is a purpose here, they know where they're going, not just jerking off in public, because they can.

The more conventional numbers (and I use that in the loosest of ways), are probably the most comfortable for people versed in the ways of free jazz, and provide an easier way in. So programme that CD player to play "Milano Eyeshields" and "My Hosts Must Have Wondered Why They'd Asked For An Expert And Been Sent This Hooligan Instead", the latter of which comes up with a whole new use for a drum machine.

Not for the unadventurous, but always an interesting journey.

Atomic Jefferson - self titled

Post hardcore comedy rock. Don't you just love it? Well, it has its place. I just like it to be a place far, far away. You'd also think that the players wouldn't find it funny anymore, especially as main men, Rob Crowell and Eddie McCraney have been ploughing this particular furlough for 12 years now.

This CD is, in effect, a greatest hits set (minus any hits, of course), comprised as it of material ranging over a number of years. Oddly enough, showing what an exceedingly small world it is, they actually appear on a Shuteye records sampler, as do Zeitgeists very own Superczar. Different CD but hey, coincidences is coincidences.

They did actually release a proper CD a few years back, and if you hurry Amazon has exactly one copy left, for when they are good, they are very good. However, this tends to be when they put the comedy punk to one side and go for full on Zappaesque madness. "Can't Argue With A Shotgun" and especially "You'll Never be Alone Again", with it's atonal jazz riffs are worth the pride of admission alone.

It's difficult to judge this CD, as a lack of recording dates, make attempts at progression difficult but at least 50% of the stuff here is worth a listen. They are working on a new release and I hope they continue to develop their sound.