The Figgs - Low Fi at Society High

don't read the allmusic write-off

music emmissions: No justice, that's what I say. The Figgs still remain relatively unknown after 4 outstanding albums on as many labels. Low Fi at Society High was their first and, in my opinion, their best. With the opening track, "Step back and let's go pop", blasting out of the speakers you just know you're in for a joyous power pop ride. The ride slows down a bit in a few spots but mostly it's just straight ahead power pop fun. If you can find this album I would suggest buying it. I have had it since it came out and I never tire of it. Figgs, if you read this, please come and play live in Calgary. Thanks.

silver platters: Recorded at Dreamland Studios, Woodstock, New York in February 1994.

Bratty ambitious power popsters The Figgs have released an album reminiscent of the glory days of the early Replacements and Buzzcocks.

Excelling with above-average musicianship and deliciously crafted pop attacks, LOW-FI AT SOCIETY HIGH is on the dean's list of college rock. Dueling guitarists Mike Gent and Guy Lions pirouette manically off Pete Donnelly's Paul McCartney-esque bass lines, while both Gent and Donnelly's vocals and lyrics harken back to Elvis Costello's cynicism workshops.

The Figgs's songs range from the joyously dumb "Chevy Nova" to the happily self-aware "Step Back And Let's Go Pop." As songwriters and arrangers they're intelligent enough to be aware of pop's fickle tendencies.

Spin (9/94, p.139) - Highly Recommended - "...displays just the kind of overcaffeinated charm that made anti-heartthrobs out of Elvis Costello and Joe Jackson..."

Alternative Press (9/94, p.71) - "...LOW-FI AT SOCIETY HIGH is a fun double-time for the listener and all involved in the project..."

Piero Scaruffi Says... (in italian too!)

The Eagle Says...

rocky says: this is my all time favorite figgs record. Sparkling powerpop. Pristine Melody. Nonstop Smartness. This is the kind of band I always dreamed about being in, though I never really had it in me to do so. I once said something about this record over here. But I figgered if Curry had his figgs record up, I might as well get my licks in, too.

I love their lyrics. I love their drumming. I love their basslines. I love their economy. I love their structures. I love their melodies. I love their straight-ahead. I love their guitar textures. I love their left-channel/right-channel guitar interplay.

Did I mention how much I love their lyrics? Try topping "Wasted Pretty" or "Stood Up" or "Jump Start" "Favorite Shirt" or "Waltz for Bob" or "Cherry Blow Pop." Just try it...

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The Figgs - Banda Macho

Liz_Noise nudged me toward these dudes sometime ago. A tight, linear and determined pop/rock quartet shamefully overlook while artistically inferior artists such as The Goo Goo Dolls or The Beatles take baths in gold bouillon and women's underwear.

Here's their 1996 Capitol debut.

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Allmusic bio: The Figgs formed in 1987 in Saratoga Springs, NY. Mike Gent (guitar, vocals), Pete Donnelly (bass), Pete Hayes (drums), and Guy Lyons (lead guitar) were power pop and brash punk freaks, recklessly mixing elements of each but rarely losing sight of a solid hook. The combo issued 7" and cassette releases on the area indie Absolute-a-Go-Go before making their official debut with the 1994 Imago LP Low-Fi at Society High. The Hi-Fi Dropouts EP followed that same year; both received solid notices from critics and college radio. Imago's sudden loss of financing and distribution left the Figgs and material for their follow-up high and dry, but the band landed on its feet at Capitol, which issued Banda Macho in 1996. However, despite some touring and promotion, Capital wasn't really sure what to do with the ambitious Banda or the guys who made it, and the Figgs were kicked to the curb. Their next opportunity came as the backing band for Graham Parker, who tapped them for a tour after hearing their version of "Passion Is No Ordinary Word." The jaunt spawned a live set called The Last Rock N Roll Tour (Razor and Tie, 1997), but it was mostly a great excuse for the Figgs to play with one of their heroes. The Couldn't Get High LP appeared from Absolute-a-Go-Go in 1998, followed by an EP for Hearbox a year later. 2000 saw issue of both the vinyl-only Rejects (Philthyrex) and Sucking in Stereo (Hearbox), which emphasized the early new wave side of the Figgs' engaging, bratty pop. Stereo was hailed by some as a return to stripped-down, happily rocking form for the group, which by this point had endured its unfair share of label woe and teasing success. The 2001 EP Badger built on Stereo's success, as did the Hearbox full-length Slow Charm a year later. Touring for that album included a stint with Tommy Stinson; the ex-Replacement returned the favor in 2004, guesting on the Figgs' self-released double album Palais. Two years later the Bloodshot label released 103 Degrees in June, a mail-order and download-only live album with the Figgs backing Graham Parker at Chicago's Double Door. By the end of the year, the new album Follow Jean Through the Sea appeared.

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