The Revolution Smile

Far: Here and now

Thursday, May 27th, 2010 | musiX | 3 Comments

Far came into my life at just the right time. I was pretty much over the overdone meatheadedness of metal (especially the metal clientele), but I still liked to … you know, rock the fuck out.

I first saw Far in 1996 opening for Helmet at the El Dorado Saloon in Sacramento. Something struck me about the crowd … I didn’t fear for my life, for one. Plus I could tell the audience truly loved this band Far. The entire experience was this bizarre hippie hardcore love-fest led by vocalist Jonah Matranga, and it was an exhilarating feeling to let loose and know that everyone there had your back. I became somewhat of a groupie (non-sexual) of the band from 1996 until Far called it quits two years later after the release of their masterstroke Water & Solutions. The Zocalo Room, Brickworks, as well as pilgrimages to Bojangles and Old Ironsides immediately come to mind as the haunts at which I saw Far play during that compressed period of time. Those were great times.

The interesting thing about Far is that they became more popular after they’d called it quits, influencing schools of whiny, pretty-boy emo bands that were more about cool hair than cool music … which is strange because while Far may be unfairly associated with some truly horrible bands, there is only one Far.

I’ve come to realize that Far works because of the dynamic between Matranga and guitarist Shaun Lopez—they’re completely different people. In those early days Lopez was a punk rock/hardcore guy. Matranga more of a folky hippie. The differences became even more apparent after Far broke up. Lopez formed The Revolution Smile, which toured with bands like Marilyn Manson and Korn. Matranga recorded quirky EPs in his bedroom under the moniker Onelinedrawing, and played house shows to polite indie rock kids. Even today, geographically, it sort of makes sense: Matranga lives in San Francisco, Lopez calls L.A. home.

That tug of war between Lopez’s menacing riffs and Matranga’s happy pop hooks make Far’s new record At Night We Live—if anything—an interesting listen. It’s more varied and textured than Water & Solutions. Songs like “If You Cared Enough” and the title track sound ready-made for radio (and dangerously close to some of the bands that would later name-drop Far). “The Ghost That Kept On Haunting” and “When I Could See” are dark and spooky. And “Better Surrender” and “Are You Sure?” are power pop gems. Matranga’s voice sounds better than it ever has, and his lyrics still float between poetic and plainspoken. My only gripe is that At Night We Live is too slick—the guitars are still loud, but the drums and bass just don’t bang and clang like they did on Water & Solutions, which is part of what made that record so great.

So. Do I like it? Yes, yes I do. Then again I’m one of those people who dropped $24.47 (worth every penny) for At Night We Live on a four-record, blue-and-white vinyl set. Go ask a more credible source.

“Better Surrender” - Far

“At Night We Live” - Far

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I like it

Tuesday, October 7th, 2008 | musiX | No Comments

I was a full-on groupie of the band Far about 10 years ago. The Sacto four-piece is often cited, along with bands like Sunny Day Real Estate, as an influence on more than a decade’s worth of horrible music, summed up in three little letters: E-M-O. I know … kinda makes you want to get some pals together, knock down a few sixers of PBR and grab the torches and pitchforks from the closet (right next to the umbrellas and scarves) and search for their house. Ya with me?!

But the members of Far should not be held accountable, for they really are much more than a thin, and I mean thin, group of kids with funny hair who sing about their girlfriends. I first saw Far perform when they opened for Helmet at Sacramento’s El Dorado Saloon in 1996. It was right around the release of the band’s first major-label release Tin Cans With Strings to You. It blew me away. I loved the idea of being able to get aggression out, without the fear of some yolked-out speed freak breaking your collar bone just for poops and chortles. Two years later the band released Water & Solutions, which is one of those records that includes not a single dud. I saw them three or four more times that year.

Far has been inactive since 1999, while the members have gone on to various projects. Vocalist Jonah Matranga continued on in his project onelinedrawing, while guitarist Shaun Lopez fronted The Revolution Smile and bassist John Gutenberger started pop bands like Milwaukee and Two Sheds. Why in Gawd’s name, you ask, am I prattling on about a band that is long gone … and responsible for starting emo? Well, after years of teasing, the members of Far are setting off to play some UK dates starting in November, and it looks like the band will also play a couple of shows right here in the good ol’ U.S. of A. in La La Land under the moniker Hot Little Pony (listen to the band’s cover of Ginuwine’s “Pony” … yes, that Ginuwine). Look for more soon as the band will relaunch its Web site Oct. 14.

Needless to say I am as excited as one of those kids with the funny hair who sings about their girlfriends. And I don’t think I’m alone. Listen and love this. “I Like It” from Water & Solutions.

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