Google Groups no longer supports new Usenet posts or subscriptions. Historical content remains viewable.

Dismiss

Farewell to Juliet/etc. newsletter

30 views

Skip to first unread message

Jeff Elbel

unread,

Dec 4, 1997, 3:00:00 AM12/4/97

First, Farewell to Juliet news.
Then, paragraphs about seven other related projects.

-----
Farewell to Juliet (CD release)

FTJ has released its new album, "Grace and Dire Circumstances."
The disc contains 13 tracks and clocks in at 56 minutes, 30 seconds.
The group's style has evolved considerably since the band's "Echoes
of Laughter" debut. The prog-rock elements of that album, while still
apparent as an influence overall, have given way to tighter,
songwriter-oriented arrangements, and guitar-oriented melodic
modern rock.

Asked to describe the band's sound, Jeff Elbel says, "Try to imagine
a close-knit group who are into Radiohead, Rush, and Jars of Clay.
It's a weird mix, but it works for us. Take the singer's voice down an
octave, and you're in our ballpark."

John Bretzlaff has switched instruments, from bass to acoustic guitar.
The new-found balance between Bretzlaff's acoustic playing and
Elbel's electric guitar soundscapes form the basis for the band's new
direction. These are coupled with the members' interest in current
as well as classic pop/rock, british music, etc.

"Echoes..." keyboardist Stacey Krejci has moved into the bassist
position, adding a melodic emphasis to a solid rhythm section. Chad
Dunn has taken the drum throne, following founding drummer Jeff
Schmale.

Elbel and vocalist Brant Hansen contribute literate, artful lyrics to
"Grace and Dire Circumstances." The songs touch on themes familiar
to those who have heard "Echoes...," but with a more personal, down-
to-earth touch, overall. Homesick daydreams, the romance and
struggle of marriage, spiritual reflection, and wild-eyed abandon all
meet on the album.

"Seconds Count" from the "Grace..." will be included on the January
issue of 7ball Magazine's compilation CD.

Those interested in hearing samples of the album may download
several clips from the band's web page at:
http://www.netads.com/music/marathon/ftj

The website also contains:
- a complete lyric archive
- photos from FTJ's Fall '97 tour
- info on ordering CDs and new T-Shirts (photos are available)
- biographical info, band news, etc.

Farewell to Juliet may be contacted c/o Marathon Records at
PO Box 1222
El Segundo, CA USA 90245-6222
(310) 355-0533

The group is offering a holiday special on its new T-shirts. Cost is ten
dollars, which includes postage. There are two styles available,
which may be seen on the web page. Sizes L and XL are available.

"Grace and Dire Circumstances" and "Echoes of Laughter" compact
discs are available by mail order at the above address for ten dollars
each, plus two dollars postage per total order.
-----

More Marathon news:
-----
The neo-progressive acoustic folk duo John & Kim have just released
"Songs from the Orange Couch," a six song EP, on disc. The duo counts
Ani DiFranco as a chief musical influence.

Matt McCabe continues to develop his solo avant-guitar project, King
Never's "Ambient Guitar Noise, Vol. I." McCabe, formerly of Able
Cain, has produced an entire album's worth of asynchronous loop
"guitarscapes" already, but is creating new material in order to better
represent his total vision in the context of one project. The King
Never sound is influenced by the likes of Robert Fripp.

Sunny Day Roses have disbanded, at least for now. There is potential
of the band reuniting for a recording project, to capture the last
year's worth of new material. Currently, however, full time work,
school, and geographical constraints prevent the band from regular
activity. The "Bloomshine!" CD is still available, but supplies are low.

The Hopescope have just released a ten song CD entitled "Eureka."
The 'scope hail themselves, with tongue firmly in cheek, as "pop-
guitar heroes for the new millenium..."

Toast100 is the working moniker of a new band featuring members
of Sunny Day Roses, Soulbelly, and Animator. The band is developing
material for a concept album entitled "Meet Your Maker." The
album's story takes place in the Western Desert of Egypt. Over a
dozen songs are currently in the works for the project. Influences
run the gamut, from guitar-heavy rock such as King's X and 77s, to
melodic, quirky pop/rock a la Cake and Weezer, to eastern influenced
acoustic/percussion-based music. The band plans a late-spring '98
release.

Battered Fish have released a second CD. The new seven track CD,
"MegaWhat?", showcases adventurous, progressively-oriented
pop/rock. Battered Fish hails from Queensland, Australia. They have
the coolest t-shirts in the world, designed by bassist Jeremy Bennett.

In February, '98, Marathon will release a compilation CD of material
by Mike Knott's band, Aunt Bettys. The band recorded studio demos
for many songs in addition to those which appeared on their Elektra
Records release. Many of these unreleased tracks, such as "Two
Timing Jack" and "Getting Normal," became fan favorites before the
band split up in May, '97. Several songs on the CD are included from
digital sources, and several others have been mastered from cassette
or VHS mixes. Knott has also recorded an exclusive track especially
for the collection, called "Popsicle Stick." He is accompanied by
surrogate Bettys from the Toast100 band on the song.

Links to these bands' web sites may be found at:
http://www.netads.com/music/marathon

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays! Contact us any time with
comments, questions, or favorite recipes at Sunny...@aol.com.
jeff

Joshua Spencer

unread,

Dec 6, 1997, 3:00:00 AM12/6/97

Jeff Elbel (mara...@badger1.net) wrote:

> More Marathon news:

> Toast100 is the working moniker of a new band featuring members
> of Sunny Day Roses, Soulbelly, and Animator. The band is developing
> material for a concept album entitled "Meet Your Maker." The
> album's story takes place in the Western Desert of Egypt. Over a
> dozen songs are currently in the works for the project. Influences
> run the gamut, from guitar-heavy rock such as King's X and 77s, to
> melodic, quirky pop/rock a la Cake and Weezer, to eastern influenced
> acoustic/percussion-based music. The band plans a late-spring '98
> release.

I REALLY REALLY REALLY hope they sound as good as you make them sound,
Jeff! Please, please, please let it be so. My eyes will be peeled.
Keep posting updates on this band, for sure.

caleb

0 new messages