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Fairweather EP
Solarsonic Records

1) Storm
2) Alone To Myself
3) Sell You Out
4) Headway
5) Maker
6) Drowning Well

www.scarletfields.net
www.solarsonic.net

 

 

Scarlet Fields Is:

Fionn Ó Lochlainn-
Vocals, Guitar, Keys, String Arrangements, etc...

Mitch Getz-
Bass, Vocals

Steve Slingeneyer-
Drums

It’s slowly becoming the accepted prediction that blues based rock or another hybrid of grunge will be the next form of rock to slay the masses. From the current look of things, only music journalists and a fistful of 15yo girls are still in love with Julian and his session-players The Strokes, The Hives are being held in an airport immigration office along with their next album, and Jack White has emerged as soothsayer of the next major phase in rock (can’t quite call him father and you know why). Disco-rock and electro don’t even count outside of NYC. But just when you thought you couldn’t take another mono-rhythmic nü-metal plod or another arrhythmic pop-punk whinefest, along came a shamelessly bluesy slice of garage-punk that reminded us of why crunch and stomp is the foundation of rock as we now know it. For those who can’t remember, here’s why: cause fuckin’ Jimmy Page said so that’s why. Sure, he wasn’t the first, but it’s understood that he was right and with good reason. If you can’t remember that reason, then you’re a lost cause. But Fionn Ó Lochlainn might disagree with that, so consider Scarlet Fields his chance to remind you what Page got right the first time.

 To say Fionn Ó Lochlainn, frontman and resident mastermind behind NYC-based Scarlet Fields, has lived and breathed music since the embryonic stage would be a bit dry. No, the man sips classical, eats blues, shits folk, and inhales rock. He’s toured with likes of Joe Cocker, Sinead O’Connor, and Billy Bragg since the age of 16. He’s shared a band with Rich Robinson of the Black Crowes (Hookah Brown).   Hell, The Stranglers recorded their Black and White album in his parents’ home-studio. But let’s be fair and separate the man from his legacy. Just watch him explain his studio methods (“I love collaboration and live recording with my band mates”), his preference for songwriting (“it’s the culmination of my life’s work”), even discussing the temperament of his muse (“I just listen to her, she’s quite prolific”).

    He speaks of all this with considerable confidence, especially about his muse. And it’s that muse that currently has him focused on the bluesy, organic live attack that made bands like Zeppelin, Jefferson Airplane, and even Alice in Chains so muscular and larger than life. But his muse wasn’t always feeling so earthy.

      On their self-produced debut EP, Fairweather, Scarlet Fields were quickly swimming through the classic rock waters, sounding a pinch more like Waters-era Pink Floyd. While the blues-guitar work was there, Steven Slingeneyer’s drums (White Light Motorcade) and Mitch Getz’s (Fabric, The United States) bass sounded considerably more restrained. The second half of the EP especially seemed more in love with textures and string arrangements trotting through slow-burners like the regretful “Sell You Out” and the jaded “Drowning Well”. The main theme throughout was America’s love affair with the church of television and the populous’ preference of distance from emotional truths. While the arrangements and production echoed that thematic detachment skillfully, it was also evident that the studio slickness was choking a band that really wanted to be unrestrained. With Andy Wallace and Steve Orchard at the mixing console, there was talent behind the boards, but there was also a sense of overcooking. This is why the live experience is vital.

It’s April 29th at Piano’s and smiling faces abound. Running through post-Fairweather material, there’s a different band on stage. It’s the same group, but a with a more distinct vigor. While Fionn is tearing through his hooks and leads, it’s the rhythm section that has fresh blood flowing. Steven stomps and bashes his way through even the tamest moments, assaulting you with a melodic cross between Dale Crover and John Bonham. He sports the troll-drum-face in that way that only compliments drummers with a penchant for beastly fills. Mitch’s bass work is the real surprise. All bottom-end, this is bass played as BASS.

     Maybe it’s a proliferation of cheaper bass guitars in modern rock or a love affair with FM-radio midranges, but it’s been a while since 4-strings sounded this fat. Showing proper restraint, he walks the line between simplicity and melody nicely, never trying to upstage especially in regards to stage presence. John Entwistle suddenly looks like David Lee Roth on a hillbilly-meth binge. Their combined dynamic provides the foundation for Fionn’s swagger. Never stepping away from behind his mic too long, Fionn stays focused on shredding through each riff and again, the spirit of young Page thrives. Laced with spacey effects, elements of punk creep through “Overcast”, a song that sounds anything but. But as organic as their sound is, they also wind tightly through the increasingly complex arrangements that lend a new unpredictability to the music. Whereas Fairweather felt more familiar in its mood changes, the new batch twists and turns like a German F-1 racetrack. Far from prog though, there are plenty of stoner rock breakdowns to ensure things never get too heady or complicated. Again, this is not the same band the older EP presented. Can we assume the band has found its new sound, to be adapted in the studio?

Maybe. Early indications show (shake your Magic 8 Ball) …………………………….no. Fionn let on that the next round of recordings will again be self-produced. But Nigel Godrich (Radiohead, Pavement), famous for his chilly and spacey sound, has already mixed one track. Also, Steve Orchard is returning to once again mix the new tracks. Advance singles “Drive” and the aforementioned “Overcast” do show a rawer and more stripped back sound, but there’s still a sense of studio perfectionism that seems to muzzle the performances.  This is not to assume the next release will be a step-backwards for the band. There is just a suggestion that this group will have two distinct personas at all times. There will be the seasoned studio musicians who will lay down well-rehearsed, production-heavy parts on 16 tracks. Then there will be the more gut-driven, live power trio. Some may only like one side over the other, but at least you have options.

 In today’s volatile music scene its impossible to predict exactly how new audiences will perceive Scarlet Fields. The specter of their influences can linger heavily over the songs at times, but current nostalgic and retro trends also show that if they liked it the first time, and its not Fred Durst affiliated, then they’ll like it again. Yup, unpretentious guitar riffs are brimming on the horizon and with any luck, nü-metal will be stamped out for good. It may not happen tonight, but you can count on Fionn fighting for it, till his last music-generated breath.