Whilst Flipper have never earned the status
of household names, their influence of American alternative music in the last
30 years has been incalculable. Formed in the late '70s in San Francisco at the
height of that city's punk explosion, their refusal to abide to the strict fast/loud
dictum of their punk peers saw them instantly stand apart from the pack.
Their
music, a combination of slow, drawn-out sludgey punk - equal parts Stooges and
Black Sabbath - and humourous, observational and biting lyrics made them cult
faves throughout the world. Heavily championed by the Dead Kennedys' Jello Biafra,
their most famous single of the era, 'Sex Bomb', almost became the 'Louie Louie'
of its time, a simplistic, repetitive riff and catch-cry - "She's a Sex Bomb,
my baby, yeah!" - covered by garage/punk bands across the globe.
The
band went on hiatus in the latter half of the decade until tragedy struck when
guitarist/bassist Will Shatter died of a drug overdose in 1987. Reforming again
in the early '90s, just as grunge was taking hold in mainstream America, the band
found themselves hailed as godfathers of the movement, with high praise and lauding
tributes from fans such as Nirvana, Melvins, Mudhoney, Soundgarden and even Moby
(who claims to have been in the band at one stage).
The band signed to
mega-fan Rick Rubin's Def American label in 1992 (Rubin had fronted the Flipper
tribute band, Hose, back in the '80s), released the 'American Grafishy' album
and then disappeared again for over a decade. Requested by Sonic Youth's Thurston
Moore to play his Nightmare Before Christmas festival in the mid '00s, the band
re-formed with Nirvana's Krist Novoselic filling in on bass duties. The performance
was such a hit that the band hasn't stopped playing since and Novoselic officially
joined Flipper in 2006. Novoselic spent about two years with Flipper, playing
shows and recording an album of new material as well as a live album. He ultimately
gave notice after deciding the tour grind was no longer on the cards for him.
So
once again, Flipper had to take a step back and regroup. This time around the
band enlisted Rachel Theole, formerly of Frightwig, Mudwimin and Van Gough's Daughter.
Along with the three original members, Bruce Loose, Steve Depace, and Ted Falconi,
the band is once again road ready with their first studio album in 17 years, Love.
Flipper
actually has two new albums to show for their efforts, 'Love', and a live album,
'Fight'. Recorded by grunge luminary, Jack Endino (responsible for many early
Sub Pop titles), at Krist's farm in the North West earlier this year, Love shows
the band hasn't lost its touch in presenting the world some more of their patented
dose of chaotic punk, sludge-laden riffs and cutting black humour.
The
live album, 'Fight', recorded in late 2007 in both Portland and Seattle and mixed
by Endino, sees the band running through old classics and newer songs with the
kind of fire they possessed in the '80s. Both of these albums have been specially
packaged together by Fuse Music to be released on the High Spot label as an Australia/NZ-only
2CD pack.
The best news yet is that Flipper are heading on a world tour
and hit these shores this June! With Theole in tow, it's the first time a female
has been in the band, an interesting dynamic which should add some spice to their
legendarily confrontational live shows.
KEY TRACKS:
2. Learn To Live
(Love)
6. Love Fight (Love)
7. Transparent Blame (Love)
8. Sacrifice
(Fight)
www.myspace.com/flipper
