The Days of Lore

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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Tags: At Night We Live, Far, Jonah Matranga, Onelinedrawing, Shaun Lopez, The Revolution Smile, Water & Solutions

Get close to Far from far away

Thursday, June 25th, 2009 | musiX | No Comments

We’re just a little more than halfway through 2009, and things are already surpassing 2008 … no, albums still aren’t selling (unless you’re Green Day), but I am excited about some of this year’s current/upcoming releases.

The short list: The Strange Boys, Beastie Boys, All Smiles, Viva Voce, Screaming Females, Jay Reatard, Dirty Projectors, The Rural Alberta Advantage, Slayer, Wilco, Reigning Sound …. And there’s one that myself and a handful of other weirdos are eagerly anticipating—the new album from proto-emo band Far. Wait a second … maybe you’re the weirdo, weirdo! Are you the weirdo? OK, so I’m the weirdo.

Of course, much of this stems from good ol’ nostalgia. Upon its release in 1998 Far’s Water & Solutions didn’t leave my side for an entire year. I recently dusted it off, and it still holds up—the songs, and the production/guidance of D. Sardy that pushed the members to try different things while giving the record its big, booming sound.

After a decade apart, the members of Far made amends in late 2008, which led to some dates (I saw them here in Portland it was great) and ultimately to the band recording a new record, due out sometime this summer on Vagrant Records. The band is currently in the studio putting on the finishing touches, including vocals—by you, the kindly weirdo.

Vocalist Jonah Matranga recently posted a video on the band’s Web site where he screams the vocals to one of the new songs, “This Is What We Do.” The band is looking for people from all over to scream along to Matranga’s vocals, record themselves, and send the members a link to the audio/video via YouTube etc. The idea is to get hundreds or thousands of people on one track. As the ever-charming Matranga put’s it: “When the album comes out, the most far-reaching, diverse, punk-rock DIY choir EVER will be on it.” Cool idea.

The band is hoping to complete the track in the next couple of weeks. Get more details at Far’s Web site. And view the video for the scream-a-long here.

The band even encourages people to get friends and family in on the fun—so, you can tell grandma and grandpa that before church on Sunday they’re going to be screaming the lines “We! Will! Fight! Through!” into a digital recording device. On a side note, Sunny Day Real Estate is reforming for some dates. Suddenly I’m overcome with emotion.

Tags: 2009 releases, Far, This Is What We Do: Scream-a-long Project, Water & Solutions

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