fuzzbird hail from Leeds...there are four of
them...one has a season ticket...another reads the odd book...
the debut fuzzbird single, can't believe a word,
emerged in 1995 on the band's own FR label, to rapturous acclaim
from Radio One's purveyor of all things mighty, John Peel...
first CD release on the 25 Records compilation
‘Little white knickers’ with the fab song ‘true’.
the follow up, change it!, coincided with Leeds
Sound City in April 1996, during which fuzzbird played every single
night of the event...studiously avoiding the music industry at every
turn...
the following year saw the release of the debut
fuzzbird album, welcome to santa's sex shop, on the majestic Mook
Records Of Leeds, the label that brought the world Chest...
welcome to santa's sex shop came to the attention
of the national music press, earning glowing reviews across the
board, enticing the support of Radio One's Mary Anne Hobbs, and
gathering the kind of attention from John Peel that would normally
be reserved for The Fall...
the third fuzzbird single, promised land, emerged
in late 1997, back on their own FR label, being termed "anthemic"
in the process by the custodian of the airwaves, John Peel...
several line up changes eventually saw the arrival
of Texan drummer Victor, and the release, in October 1998, of the
moi ep, the first fuzzbird CD only release...
and now comes the second album, pulling the
wings off small boys, again with fuzzbird's distinctive artwork,
again on FR Records, and again destined to shake the cobwebs off
those who care to listen...
FUZZBIRD
Pulling the wings off small boys (CD) (FR Records)
At school our
geography-teacher was teaching us the fact that Leeds is a very
grey city, maybe the most desolate city you can find in Britain
cos it was dominated by the industry. I've never been there and
I still don't know if it was a wise thing to believe his words but
that's the thing I'm always thinking of when someone mentions Leeds.
This idea was even growing when there aren't that many Leeds-based
bands I can think of. OK, there is Sister Of Mercy and Wedding Present.
But for the rest? Well, a third band can join the list : Fuzzbird.
'Pulling the wings off small boys' (...what wings do you mean???)
is their second album and just like the two above mentioned bands
Fuzzbird have created an own sound, a sound you can recognize! It's
not a record that will change your life... but let me come back
to the words I wrote about The Stereophonics. Give 'em the same
amount of money and they easily could be as big as them. I even
can go a bit further to say they're better as they do more than
just write catchy indietunes.. there's also a lot of emotional input
in it! The singer sounds a bit like Neil Young and Thom Yorke, but
musically it reminded me a bit of Luna... Maybe they will release
10 albums in the future that only a handful of people will cherish,
who knows...but it's also possible that they will be noticed out
of a ssudden and if that happens all of you will know how Fuzzbird
are. Just don't wait that long as you can already be one of the
priviliged ones...
Reviewed by
Didier Becu in The Original Sin Winter 99
making your lives a whole lot easier
fuzzbird have had reviews...oh yes...many of
which have chosen to offer comparisons...
"...the same unseasoned sound that defined
the Pixies..."
"...like a male fronted Belly..."
"...a mix between Guns N Roses and Radiohead
and a whole lot more..."
"...the Byrds with fuzz..."
"...from Beatles psychedelia to Manic Street
Preachers power..."
"...Neil Young melodies like they were
done by Blur..."
FUZZBIRD Moi EP (Mini CD-6 songs) (FR
Records) (4 points)
One of the most underrated albums ever
is Fuzzbird's debut album that should be admired for its title alone..."Welcome
to Santa's Sex shop"...but some bands really have to struggle
to get the recognition and it's state a talented band like Fuzzbird
are one of them...But here are our Leeds heroes with 6 brand new
songs...It really is a wonder why the opening track has to be 'MOI'
cos it's the most weak one...quite similar to Tiger and Jolt. When
'Chicken Licken' followed I kind of feared they had lost it a bit
cos Fuzzbird is known by me as The Byrds with fuzz...great pop with
guitar melodies that makes you realise a guitar is a guitar and
not a toy that hangs around the neck from someone who wants to be
cool...but how could I be so unpatient? The following four songs
were the living proof that if you're into Fuzzbird's arms you don't
have to panic so quickly...Astonishing pop...Neil Young-melodies
like they were done by Blur when they're in their most melancholic
moods..."This time" sounds as heartbreaking as "To
the end"..."Ghost" sounds like a gh...(I know, I
know...)...Even if you have to wait a minute or 6, this is superb...Welcome
to Fuzzbird's song shop!!!
Review was taken from The Original
Sin, issue 19, Winter 98 was written by Dider Becu. The Original
Sin is one of favourite fanzines, write to Didier and ask for a
copy, send 3 IRC’s to cover print postage costs.
FUZZBIRD
Those who have never been to Leeds (I'm one
of them) see it as a very grey city (probably because of the industrialism).
The best Indieband from the early 90`s had their base over there
(that's the wedding present, kids!) Oh...and Goth was born there
too (sisters of mercy once lived there). But from now on I will
always relate it with FUZZBIRD! WHAT A BAND!
While listening to their debut album `WELCOME
TO SANTAS SEX SHOP`(released on their own label Mook Records) I
was amazed by the energy this band has. Fuzzbird do sound a bit
like Marion (yeah, that good!) with shed seven voices (just the
voice... Fuzzbird are not britpoppy at all). It's like all classic
albums you have songs you can bounce a bit on your bed while others
make you cry a bit.
Fuzzbird are John Parkes (guitar, vocals), Jason
Rungapadiachy (guitar, vocals), Matthew Clark (bass) and Caroline
Williams (drums). Just like with all other good bands, they were
loved by the most cool man in pop (John Peel of course) Fuzzbird
describe their music as `sweet and gorgeous like barbed singing
confectionery. `
Fuzzbird are a brilliant Indieguitar band that
knows that songs need good melodies and genius guitar chords.
Fuzzbird aren't John Parkes` first steps into
music... therefore he used to play in Greenhouse, a band some of
you might remember...As one of the best albums of 1997 is made on
their own album, it will be a bit difficult to find a copy so I
suggest you write them nice letter and soon you will own a CD that
has the same effect as fags: ADDICTION!
Feel free to contact the band at 25 Records
anytime for interviews/Band features/ gig info etc. at: 25 Records
PO Box 3006, Poole, Dorset, BH12 2HU. or Phone/Fax on (01202) 749244.
write to us
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Meanwhile
you can hear a song by Fuzzbird called 'True' on the 25 Records
compilation CD 'Little White Knickers', priced at only £5 including
post . |
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