Recorded at Indian Trail Recording Studio with producer Alex Gerst and mastered at Pro Mastering in New York City by Grammy-winner Jay Frigoletto (INXS, Oasis, the soundtrack to X2: X-Men United), the album is the Tribe’s first in three years. Based on the e.p., the essence of the band’s signature sound remains intact. There’s abstract drumming, funky breakdowns, and vocal melodies that rollercoaster, curlicue, and come right at you.
The biggest difference, though, is the guitar – the ax is heavier, louder, and more in front. Consequently, the songs don’t divert from their core trajectories as frequently as in the past. The new tone’s handiest reference is System of a Down. Tribe bassist Jerome 57 said the record reflects he and his bandmates’ “real roots.” But, he said, he’s not talking about early influences. He means the beginnings of Spoonfed. Of the album, frontman Egg Nebula said, “We’re not gonna throw our fans for a loop. It’s just a lot more refined. There aren’t as many hands stirring the pot.” The Tribe’s approach to recording was also slightly newfangled. “We didn’t play these songs for two years before going into the studio,” said Jerome 57.
“Most of the songs were written in the studio. We already had them worked out. We went in, did it, done.” The resultant vibe, said Egg Nebula, was just better. All of the band’s previous recordings, he said, sound flat, especially compared to the Tribe’s live performances. “This time, we were trying to capture what our show has to offer,” he said. “I think we came closer to that than ever before.” Another novel development: The e.p. has a track that goes verse, chorus, verse – just like a good ol’ fashioned mainstream radio joint! But no one would confuse it – or anything Spoonfed does, actually – with, say, something regularly spun on The Edge.
In addition to SOAD, think Tool, Gov’t Mule, and other progressive rock projects that haven’t followed the typical rock-song formulas but have managed to score decent airplay. Spoonfed’s goal, said Jerome 57 and Egg Nebula, isn’t MTV. College radio, however, is a realistic possibility. As for the Tribe’s similarities to unconventional rockers like SOAD and Tool, Jerome 57 said, “It’s, like, once you [get on radio], you’ve done it.” Spoonfed Tribe will embark on a regional tour in the next couple of weeks. On Friday at the Ridglea Theater (6025 Camp Bowie Blvd.; 817-738-9500), the band will play on a bill with eXIT, cLoV, and Theater of Green. Visit www.spoonfedtribe.com.
… If there’s a perfect place in North Texas for the remnants of Slobberbone to christen their new band, The Wreck Room is it. On Friday, at the other end of the West Side from the Spoonfed show, The Drams will get rowdy with Rosedale and The Hundred Inevitables. If you know anything about former Slobberbone frontman Brent Best, The Drams’ recently released full-length, Jubilee Drive, is straight-forward, no-nonsense rock ‘n’ roll. Visit http://thedrams.com.
Contact HearSay at hearsay@fwweekly.com.
