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The Feelies are back

While trying to find info on another Hoboken band (see my thread re: The Marys), I tripped across an announcement that the Feelies (including Bill Million as well as Glenn Mercer) are releasing a new CD on Bar/None. Release date is April 12.

For those unfamiliar with this band, they were one of the great cult bands of the '80s. Nerdy look, oddball lyrics, jerky "ostinato" style rythms, highly crafted pop rock songs played at hyper (near thrash) tempos and 2 guitarists who can tear it up. Great taste in cover material including Beatles, Stones, Eno, and the Velvet Underground, among others.

As a side note, they were long the darlings of The New York Times who spilled an inordinate amount of ink on an otherwise obscure band.

Marty
martykl
martykl OP
3,578 posts
 
Jebe,

Thanks for the link. I loved the track and I'd bet it will be a monster live. Check out that little solo by (I believe) Million at the 1:40ish mark. You know that will stretch to about 4 minutes in concert. I do hope they get out to LA so I don't have to schelp to Maxwell's in Hoboken.

Marty

PS If anyone decides to check out the band for the first time, "Crazy Rythms" and the later stuff (The Good Earth, Time For A Witness) are quite different. I say splurge and go for a little of each to get a handle on 'em.
onhwy61's avatar
onhwy61
5,223 posts
 
Martykl, I'm not knocking the albums, I'm just making a distinction. I saw them live in 1979/80 about a half dozen times and was overwhelmed by their sound. They were so good! The albums are very good, but they are different. I'm just glad I had chances to see them live.

Anybody remember the Lincoln Center area club Hurrahs. It's all kind of hazy, but I think The Feelies once opened for the Gang Of 4 there.
loomisjohnson
1,944 posts
 
i'll be the contrarian--i love 'em on disc, esp. good earth, but was underwhelmed by their live show--thought they played great, but were somewhat reserved and detached + had those long, momentum-killing pauses between songs. i did dig the dual percussion. thanks for the heads-up on the new disc; should be interesting.
maxnewid
449 posts
 
I was a bond trader in New York during the 80's and saw them several times live. I have fond memories of dancing with arms akimbo to "Slipping Into Something." If you like the Feelies, you should also check out Glenn Mercer's solo disc and his other band Wake Ooloo. Thanks for the head's up on the new cd.
jebe1
75 posts
 
Here are some upcoming tour dates:

May 13th : The Bell House, Brooklyn, NY
May 14th : Middle East Downstairs, Cambridge, MA
June 17th : Word Cafe Live, Philadelphia, PA
June 18th : 9:30 Club, Washington, DC
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