FIDLAR - Why Generation

1.   Who are these piss holes giving the finger?

FIDLAR are a ‘wanks on planks’ garage punk band from Los Angeles, USA. The lads have been stirring shit, and been on it, since 2009. Why Generation (Feb’16) is the fifth single released from their second long player Too (Sept'15).

2.   So what kind of tune do we have here?

After showing signs of great promise, finally, a pearler.  A mellow garage punk groover with a noisy chorus and a god honest, albeit brief, lead guitar break followed by some surfy lines in the coda.

3. Who do FIDLAR sound like?

Twin Peaks, SWMRS, GHOSTS, The Orwells and Public Access TV spring to mind.

Some say Wavves are the go to band. Thanks Pitchfork, I was asleep at the wheel. On that topic, FIDLAR were asked if they thought they are similar to The Orwells. The answer was “fuck no.” But the good oil is King Tuff and Bass Drum Of Death.

4. What is the good word from the press?

About the single Why Generation, Consequnce Of Sound drew a big, big, big bow, calling it “a smartly layered commentary for a song about millennial struggles and failures.” Someone get me a hankie for my eyes, I laughed so hard I cried. Spin Magazine weren't over enthused “a weird little detour into the British Invasion,” they sniffed.

About the album Too, some semblance of sanity returned over at COS as they commented on the “tight riffs and jangly power pop melodies,” before losing the plot again sure the album is,“as trashy and as thrasy as they come.” Oh shit, I didn't piss myself this time but I did dribble a bit. Muppets. Clash Music came to the rescue lauding “a fantastic second effort” and the “catchy riffs and partying.” Spin were feeling the “throaty barks and feedback-shot riffs,” while Pitchfork hit the nail on the head “a crisper, almost radio-friendly effort.”

5. Who are FIDLAR’s influences?

FIDLAR's influences are Black Flag, Creedence Clearwater Revival, Wu-Tang Clan, The Beastie Boys, Elton John, The Band, Thee Oh Sees, The Black Lips, Jay Reatard, The Pixies, The Everly Brothers, Sam Cooke and Toto. Toto? A recent Spotify list from the band is smoking. Standouts include Sublime, Suicidal Tendencies, Warren Zevon, Black Sabbath and Creedance Clearwater Revival.

 6. Why should I give Why Generation a go?

Having a pop at phone obsession and singing about contemporary anxieties is to be celebrated and FIDLAR are exploring worthy themes. No one expects them to do it articulately. They are a punk band and funny ass motherfuckers with some style. Why Generation represents a band moving forward lyrically and musically without neglecting the punch of their earlier material. While the term earworm is vile, it is appropriate.

7. Do FIDLAR have any other good tunes?

Sure. 40 oz. On Repeat is the lead single from the second album and it nails it. Massive sound. Of course West Coast doesn't miss with it's swing either. I Just Wanna Die is an acoustic number without being lame. Unlikely but true.

8. Are there any other pertinent facts to share with your observant audience? 

Why yes indeed, my fine fellow. The new album Too was produced by Jay Joyce who put the shine on albums by bands like Sleeper Agent, COIN, Coheed and Cambria and Halestorm.

The casual observer will note much is made of front man Zac Carper’s past drug use in the press. Worth note are some of the sour notes in the otherwise privileged life Zac has had. He said,“I stopped doing heroin, I stopped doing meth, I stopped smoking crack,” while crediting in part Green Day's Billie Joe Armstrong. As you do.

“How to live in the twenty-first century, 

When every move you make, everyone can see?”

Pudding today is from one of New Zealand’s finest, a national treasure and heroes of the nation, the alternative rock band Shihad. The band have been supplying the smash hits to Kiwis since 1988 and racked up five consecutive NZ number one albums in the process. The finest and most celebrated of which is The General Electric (1999) an album produced by Garth Richarson who did the same for Rise Against, Biffy Clyro, You Me At Six, Chevelle and the best albums from Rage Against The Machine and Red Hot Chili Peppers.  

My Mind’s Sedate was one of a triumvirate of big swinging singles from the album and found them straying slightly into punk territory. 

“Extract the venom spit it over your shoulder”