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THE
FRICKS (Indie, Calgary) This page is an archive of ex-band The Fricks, of
In the claim-to-fame department, Trevor MacGregor
The Fricks recorded a total or 8 songs for
two releases: A self-titled demo cassette and a various-artists CD
of Calgary acts. Each of the MP3 downloads here weighs in at about 3-3.5 megabytes. |
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Various artists:
Play Cry Baby Records Fricks track on CD: "Contagious" (download MP3) Extra b-side track: "Hundred Jeers" (download MP3) |
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The Fricks: The Fricks (Independent) Tracks: "Thumbscrews" "Bernie Wakes Up" "Good For You" "Sublimelight" "First One" "Counting Time" |
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From Slur, Volume 3, Issue 1, Sept 1993: The Fricks Man, that Ninth Configuration was one helluva band. Not only did they rule western Canada but also managed to give us (through spawning) Field Day, the Primrods, Pal Joey and now the Fricks. Counting on their reputation as a "cute band" (they were listed in Sassy magazines Cute Band Alert) these potential Partridge Family/Shawn Cassidy clones aim to rule the airwaves with this cassette. And they well might. Trent Buhler thinks they're "A-Okay" and I think they just might possibly be more. On their first release, the Fricks mine the same ground as their former bandmates, with excellent songwriting, vocals and arrangements. The band has a very stripped down sound with only "Bronco" Tom Horvath on guitar, and the vocals really remind me of Blue Rodeo for some reason. I can't quite figure that one out yet. However, this is meant in a complimentary way. I really dig the lead vocalists gruff voice, and the backups are right on target. "Sublimelight" is a faster rave up, but I really like the subtle chorus to "First One", and the buried vocals on "Bernie Wakes Up" make me go aargh because I'd really like to know them. "Good For You" was the one I found myself fast forwarding through, but hey, you can't please everybody. Lyric sheet next time, puh-leeze. Contact: 25 Riverside Circle S.E., Calgary, AB T2C 3X9. From VOX (a.k.a. The Straight), Issue 118, Dec. 1993: The Fricks: Bargain Finder Fortunes (Brad Simm) The Musicians Wanted column runs parallel to the Personals column - and The Fricks, like so many other lonely and frustrated musicians looking for a long lasting, satisfying relationship, found themselves through the weekly Bargain Finder Press.Self described as a blend between the Replacements, The Pixies, Screaming Trees and early U2, scene veterans Doug Boland (bass) and Tom Horvath (guitar), along with newcomers Andy Mclachlan (vocals) and Trevor McGregor (drums) have recently released a six track demo fabulously produced by local soundcraft king Jeff Burns. Using a songwriting process that involves taking "four simple songs and squashing them into one" The Fricks send out a big ambient guitar telecast (yup, strands of early U2 ring clearly) in addition to Seattle's chunky and staggered chord progressions. Mclachlan's vocals complement that sound well; they're rough, raspy and well controlled. Apparently they went through "two hundred other raving lunatics" before settling on Mclachlan. Good choice. EMI Records have expressed interest in their demo and will attend their upcoming shows. A tour of Western Canada is planned for the near future. From VOX (a.k.a. The Straight), Issue 119, Jan. 1994: The Fricks (Lisa Wilton) Sometimes I wonder how I can be so slow to pick up on good bands. First, I completely ignored Urge Overkill's excellent Saturation CD the first month of its release until I finally realized it was the best CD this year. Then, a year after they're hailed by critics worldwide, and only then, do I smarten up and actually listen to Straitjacket Fits, finally understanding the reasons for this acclaim. Now, once again I am wanting to kick myself for not noticing great talent sooner. The band this time is a local one called the Fricks. They've been a full band for about a year now which is about the right time for me to hear of them. This is their first demo recording and, as demos go, this one sounds great. The six songs on this tape are well written and intelligent and the musicianship is commendable. Believe it or not, they actually harmonize a bit throughout the tape, a skill that many other bands have yet to learn. Andy, the lead vocalist has a voice that is strong but never coarse and is up there with the best Calgary has to offer including Simeon from Red Autumn Fall, Andy from Calliope, and Leslie from Placebo. Although all the songs are worth listening to, there are a couple that I find myself humming sometimes. "Counting Time" is a good solid pop song with heavy guitars and an even heavier drum beat and "Thumbscrews" conjures up images of Pearl Jam and the Screaming Trees but by no means do they rip off the Seattlites. It's hard to describe this band and the best way to experience them is to see them live and pick up this tape. If you like supporting local bands then don't let this one pass you by. It looks like they're going to be one of the frontrunners in a scene that could get as big as Halifax and Seattle in a few years, maybe months. Now I think I'll listen to that new CD I picked up by that band the Smashing Pumpkins, I think they're called. Gee, I hope they're good. From University of Lethbridge Campus Paper: Garage Warz II (Richard Amery) ...Calgary based band the Fricks played next. They didn't play dance music, although some of those present did dance. They played all of their own music (with the exception of the first song), which is not quite alternative, but more in the hard rock vein. I enjoyed this band--I love a good melody as much as the next person. While the Fricks are not nearly as heavy sounding as SNFU, I found that they were reminiscent of them. Andy, their singer, has been with the band for a year and sings well, and guitarist Tom, formerly of Ninth Configuration is very melodic, and a pleasure to listen too. In the background lurks an excellent rhythm section in bassist Doug and drummer Trevor. These guys are not an angry band (They say they don't have a lot to be angry about.) They are influenced by Hogweiner, Kentucky Fried Children (that's what they said, honest), Abba and Star Trek. Nobody knows how their songs are written, other than getting together and arguing for awhile, however six of them appear on a demo tape that is available in and around Calgary. They say that they were featured in Sassy magazine's cute band alert, but they were probably lying. They have no plans for the future other than getting more beer (which they probably don't need) and world domination. They would like to say that they like Chixdiggit, Field Day and Wagbeard. The Fricks will most likely be back here when we least expect it... From "Play" Liner Notes: RIP - that's what they did and that's what they're doing now. The Fricks recently became the ex-Fricks but that's okay, as long as we have something to remember them by. Speedy, clever, and yes! contagious, this is what they were all about: pure rock n' roll through and through. Written by The Fricks recorded and produced by Jeff Burns Tom Horvath-guitar Doug Boland-bass Trevor McGregor-drums Andy McLaughlan-vocals
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