Hahah excellent piece indeed. Have my ticket to see them in a couple of months, I want to say I HAVE seen them way the fuck back in OC in the 90s but I just can’t recall. I always appreciated how whenever they put up a reissue on Bandcamp and I snagged it they sent me an individual thank you note.
I don't own any Fu Manchu, but I saw them live once. I liked Nebula, however, who were formed by ex-Fu's guitarist and drummer. I think Nebula appealed more because of the psychedelic, stoner rock vibe that Monster Magnet and Kyuss were going for (and clearly inspired by the likes of Blue Cheer).
When I originally heard them in the late '90s; I thought it was just a gimmick, a send-up of better bands like Monster Magnet and Kyuss.
Now, tho', I more appreciate the value of not straining after any other "meaning" than just good loud rock n' roll; that not everything has to be freighted with angst and intellectual dexterity all the damn time. I even have a band now just dedicated to good times and riffage- Bessemer Saints.
It's freeing not to be self-consciously 'smart" about everything.
Hahah excellent piece indeed. Have my ticket to see them in a couple of months, I want to say I HAVE seen them way the fuck back in OC in the 90s but I just can’t recall. I always appreciated how whenever they put up a reissue on Bandcamp and I snagged it they sent me an individual thank you note.
I don't own any Fu Manchu, but I saw them live once. I liked Nebula, however, who were formed by ex-Fu's guitarist and drummer. I think Nebula appealed more because of the psychedelic, stoner rock vibe that Monster Magnet and Kyuss were going for (and clearly inspired by the likes of Blue Cheer).
Sigh. I saw the header and had high hopes. I did so love the Fu Manchu books as a youth. The 'yellow peril' indeed!
I want to request you write about dumb music vs smart music, high v low art, etc. That would make me happy.
When I originally heard them in the late '90s; I thought it was just a gimmick, a send-up of better bands like Monster Magnet and Kyuss.
Now, tho', I more appreciate the value of not straining after any other "meaning" than just good loud rock n' roll; that not everything has to be freighted with angst and intellectual dexterity all the damn time. I even have a band now just dedicated to good times and riffage- Bessemer Saints.
It's freeing not to be self-consciously 'smart" about everything.