Were you to mention the name Christopher Cross to the average Joe on the street and youd be certain to elicit the following response: I remember now - his second album was that pink one with the duck on it.
Mention FRENZAL RHOMB however, and you will be certain to elicit a far more meaningful response, informed by the great depth of interest and emotional connection that punk fans throughout the world have for the best punk band in the world.
Dispensing punk rock justice this October, Frenzal Rhomb release their new album FOREVER MALCOLM YOUNG, where you will find a glorious tirade against Johnny Ramone on Johnny Ramone was in a fucken good band, but he was a cunt (Gabba Gabba You Suck), predictive text (Predickle me this) and the Caps Lock key on the keyboard.
These are issues that mean a great deal to humanity but, like so many wars, injustices and genocides, have been ignored by the mainstream media.
First song and video to be released from this masterpiece is the title track Forever Malcolm Young, where the just-short-of-great man is compared to gnocci (not linguini), single plugger thongs (not sneakers) and headphones (not speakers).
There rarely was a band that believed so deeply in rocks potential for revolution, and there rarely was a band that didnt care if they appeared foolish in the process.
And for those that dont care for such lofty ideals, and who care only for value for money, the album comes with a bonus DVD!
If youre still reading on, you must want some history. Heres an edited version of all the biographical info you might find on wikipedia if you had an internet connection and didnt have to rely on this medieval gestetnered old bio:
1994s Dick Sandwich and 1995's Coughing Up a Storm set the stage for a lifetime of poor production standards and great songs, the likes of which Australian and international audiences lapped up! Fat Mike, owner of Fat Wreck Chords and member of NOFX, got his hands on a copy of CUAS when NOFX toured with Frenzal in 1996. Impressed with what he heard, he asked the band if they wanted to release something on his label. Frenzal accepted this invitation, releasing the 4 Litres EP. Fat Mike then forgot about them and the band attempted to negotiate a deal with a heroin addicted label mogul in the US, who never got around to signing a deal because he was in Mexico having his blood supply exchanged. Nevertheless, Frenzal Rhombs second album Not So Tough Now blew things up in Australia. Meet The Family was released in 1997 - their first album to come out in the US, and their first album with new guitarist Lindsay McDougall after original guitarist Ben Costello left to become a full time animal rights activist and second hand computer salesman. Meet the Family was certified gold in Australia, beginning a long line in awards, banners and trophies collected and stolen by the band.
The LP A Man's Not A Camel was released in Australia in March 1999 and on Fat Wreck Chords for the rest of the world. US and European tours followed with the likes of Blink 182, Less Than Jake, Vans Warped, and Toto.
Without warning in April 2002, Lex Feltham left Frenzal Rhomb after insisting that Frenzal Rhomb should incorporate synth and guitar shaped keyboards into their work. He is now a DJ in Sydney. Renowned Adelaide remote control yachtsman Tom Crease stepped in as the new Frenzal Rhomb bass player.
In April 2003, the band released the long-awaited follow up, Sans Souci. The album was Frenzal's most critically successful to date (save for perhaps Coughing Up A Storm, Meet the Family, A Mans Not a Camel or Not So Tough Now) and was hailed as a return to form after the dreadful Shut Your Mouth album, which we werent going to mention in this bio.
Jason Whalley and Lindsay McDougall also work on radio presenting Triple J's breakfast show daily from some god awful time of the morning until around about everyone elses wake up time. Gordy makes picture frames out of bits of scrap wood, broken glass and his own saliva; and Tom sails the high seas of Adelaide on his Yacht. This is why Frenzal Rhomb never tour.
Oi Gordy, u were right Teenage bottlerocket is fucken awesome. If u don't know who I am I'm that annoying four eyed cunt with the screeching weasel tattoo on my neck in Brisbane.
Nothing beats the 40 degree days with the windows down blasting 'a mans not a camel'.. still best album ever, you guys keep me young, miss the days where music was fuckin bareable, but know i can always throw in one of your cd's and it'd take me back to 1998, cant wait for the beach party in a few weeks! spewin yous are playin at night though, what happened to the summer of frenzal?
