The Days of Lore

Getting closer to Far

Wednesday, January 28th, 2009 | musiX | No Comments

Back in October I wrote that Sacramento’s Far was planning to play a handful of UK dates after 10 years apart. I was excited. The band came back under the moniker Hot Little Pony, knocked out a cover of Ginuwine’s “Pony” and played a homecoming show in Sacto Jan. 15.

Sounds like things are going well. The boys in Far have grown up. They’re getting along. Rocking out. Bassist John Gutenberger looks like a bearded Jim Carrey. And they’re steadily adding more dates, including one in San Francisco at Slim’s on Feb. 22. The members of Far have chosen to keep things relaxed. That said, there are no current plans to go into the studio, except to possibly record another cover or two.

Vocalist/guitarist Jonah Matranga had this to say: “I don’t want to do an original song just to have a new song, and have it not be as good as the old shit. Because all of our favorite old bands do that and it blows.”

Good point. Get the full story in my interview with Matranga and guitarist Shaun Lopez here.

The members of Far surely would have their work cut out for them following up 1998’s excellent Water & Solutions—the production, the songs, lyrics. But I guess if you’re going to ease back into things, a Ginuwine cover is a good way to go.

“Man Overboard” - Far (Water & Solutions)

“Pony” - Far (Ginuwine cover)

Tags: Far, Ginuwine, Hot Little Pny, Jonah Matranga, Shaun Lopez, Water & Solutions