FireSale
Furry Noises
firesale.bandcamp.com/album/furry-noises
FireSale is a band made up of players currently finishing bachelor’s degrees at the University of Iowa College of Music. They share that musical pedigree with alumni Euforquestra, whose frontman Matt Grundstad joins with them on their song “Don’t Ya,” on their 2015 album, Furry Noises. Their music is an amalgam of funk, jazz and rock not too far away from that of Euforquestra.
Individually, they’re all accomplished players. (Apparently, going to college for music and practicing like fiends for years pays off.) Their songs succeed best when they lock into solid grooves like “Roads,” which is driven by Joe Verstraete’s drumming and saxophone harmonies by Brady Stender. The extended instrumental break in “Roads” is great writing, with a sly unison bass & guitar line that lopes along like a cat out for it’s evening constitutional.
FireSale are a band that could totally kill on a Friday Night at the Yacht Club, which is both an asset and a liability. Their songwriting often goes down the well trod path laid down by jam bands of the past — some blues, some 70s-style funk, with an occasional hint of reggae. At their best, as on “Keep In Touch,” they achieve lift off, with close falsetto harmonies and tricky, almost Zappa-esque composed sections.
Sometimes, though, a groove can become a rut. FireSale are skilled technically and make music that can please an audience. That is a big accomplishment; most people try really hard and still suck. But Average White Band were doing this kind of funk 40 years ago, and just because white people can play reggae, doesn’t mean they should. They’re very good at what they’re doing, but what they’re doing seems a little too easy sometimes.
FireSale are capable of a lot more. Being able to play anything demands finding personal, original things to play. They’re young and promising, and I look forward to what they’ll accomplish when they’re a little older, wiser and less groovy.
This article was originally published in Little Village issue 199.
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