Chris Thomas, James Kavoussi, Dave Abel, Eric Marc Cohen.
FA alumni: Glenn Luttman, John Beekman, Mike Anzalone, Eric Thomas
Influences
The Fall, Swell Maps, Sniveling Shits, Thinking Fellers Union Local 282, Faust, Don Martin
Sounds Like
We call it problem rock; Trouser Press says: "warped noodle fuzz." CMJ says: "upbeat noise-pop, cracked psychedelia, winsome singalongs, surf bop, left-field hookiness and difficult sound collages."
Part of an extended family that includes Uncle Wiggly, pHoaming Edison, Power Structure, SPOOG, Autobody, Dymaxion, Badwind.
Fly ashtray was formed in 1983 in the Bronx by Chris Thomas, James Kavoussi, Eric Thomas, John Beekman and Mike Anzalone. See the discography for nitpicky details about recordings. At some point, Eric Thomas and Mike Anzalone left the band which put John Beekman from lead vocalist to bassist/guitarist and then James Kavoussi switched from keyboard to guitar. Oh, and the mighty Glen Luttman came aboard on drums. Here might be a good time to mention Spoog, the side project that resulted from impromptu gigs when one or another member of FA was out of town. Also should mention that Mike Anzalone and James Kavoussi also played in Uncle Wiggly with Wm Berger, although chances are if you've gotten this far you know that. And if you know that you also know that James also makes records as pHoaming Edison. Enough digressions. The line-up of Thomas/Kavoussi/Beekman/Luttman was stable for a good long stretch until Beekman's duties were taken over in 1998 by yours truly, Dave Abel, aka laziest webmaster ever.
In 2003, Glenn Luttman requested a leave of absence from Fly Ashtray, and in the same year Eric Marc Cohen took over drum duties. Filling the shoes of the mighty Luttman is no easy task, so if you see Eric and he looks tired, it is because he stays up to all hours of the night thinking about Fly Ashtray's intricate time signatures and rolly-polly beats.
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FUCKY DOODLES W/ SPECIAL GUEST R. STEVIE MOORE LIVE @ CAKESHOP 5/09
RHEINGOLD UNICORN ZOMBIES R US/DOUGHBOY MONTEVIDEO LIVE @ CAKESHOP 5/09
LAUGHING AT KEYS
MINDPANTS
POST IGNELLS
*************************rocks off!!!!!! live!!!!!
Recorded: live on March 16, 2003 at the Beta Lounge in San Francisco
In 1967, San Francisco’s Fifty Foot Hose were certainly one of the
innovators of a sound that took Psychedelia to new heights and was
captured on the band’s one record, Cauldron. They are a totally
unique hybrid—on one hand pulsating bay area acid rock, on the other,
fractured electronic freakery, becoming one whole cohesive being. The
sci-fi-ish video game-like artwork hinted at the sounds within, as did
the Limelight label’s pedigree for truly progressive sounds. Band
leader, Cork Marcheschi, used homemade electronic devices to create
crude and experimental soundscapes and instrumental compositions that
were sprinkled throughout the album.
Often starting shows with a swelling rumble that exploded into the
first song, they soon developed a rabid following on the SF scene,
though there was the occasional totally wrong gig, like when a
very-pregnant Nancy had to perform at a Catholic Girls’ school! Still,
the group wowed the crowds, performing with greats like Chuck Berry and
Fairport Convention.
Happy Birthday! The only recording I have by you is on the ROIR NY Scum Rock tape from the 80's and it totally rules... If you aren't wasted the day is... Dirty Pat Walsh
DJ That Hideous Strength will be spinning his New Wave Psych Disco Prog platters for you & yours @ The Argus Lounge this Saturday night, 2/21/09 9pm-2am • free • 3187 Mission (@ Valencia)