Biography.
According to Wikipedia, Fang is a punk rock band from Berkeley, California. The band broke up in 1989, when key member Sam Mcbride was sent to prison for killing his girlfriend, Dixie Lee Carney. Upon his release in 1995, Mcbride changed his name to Sammytown and re-formed Fang. Their hits include “Rat Music for Rat People,” and the compilation, “Them Boners Be Poppin’”.
In 2009, an alternate current of Fang was brewing in the basement suites of East Vancouver. Formed with no knowledge of a pre-existing punk band full of murderers, Barbara Adler's Fang struts in the face of danger and beatings. "Yeah? There's already a punk band named Fang? They date girls named Dixie Lee? They kill people? Yeah? So what."
Fang is Vancouver's most famous accordion rock band. Yes, it’s also Vancouver’s only accordion rock band. Fang gives the big kiss-off to guitar-led rock trios, and plays its devastatingly exuberant word and song mash-ups on 120-bass piano accordion, electric bass and drums. Its lyrics are snap-shot stories and one-liners written by your rattlesnake-mouthed, laugh-in-church-funny little sister. Quick-witted, irreverent, and surprisingly danceable, Fang is out to make you forget anything that polka has ever done to you.
Fang is the bruised-knee brainchild of Vancouver artist Barbara Adler. Since 2002, she has toured relentlessly as a solo storyteller, poet and musician. She is a founding member of the critically acclaimed folk-poetry act, The Fugitives. Her heroes include Patti Smith, Paul St. Pierre, and anyone who can pull a prawn trap without mechanical aid.
Diskopatska - EP
Diskopatska is Fang's first attempt at cajoling sound ions to stay put. Featuring five tracks of high wire accordion shout rock and one bonus track of achy piano balladry, Diskopatska represents the ultimate in labor-intensive, slightly heartbreaking, but ultimately redemptive DIY projects. The bulk of the recording was done in January 2011 on Galiano Island at the Brown family cabin. Vocals and instrumental overdubs were recorded using gear and patience kindly donated by Fang's neighbours and the Star Captains. Let's be clear, the scrappyness of the recording process doesn't translate into haphazard or half-baked music. The sound is assured, intentional, and engaging. A find for fans of the underground, this EP is witty, warm-hearted, and surprisingly danceable.
Amazing Facts about Diskopatska:
1. No cars were used in the making of this EP! The trio schlepped drums, electric bass, bass amp, accordion, mics, mic stands, cables, food and booze onto B.C. Transit and to the ferry. Yay poverty! So hip!
2. Do you like out-dated technology? Diskopatska was recorded on a "vintage" 1990s PC. Remember what hard drive towers used to look like? Yeah. Ever lugged one from Galiano to Vancouver because its ports do not include that new-fangled USB technology? Tape machines, we scoff at you for your user-friendliness. Recording on geriatric PCs with obsolete software is the new Analogue.
3. The original packaging for Diskopatska was individually sewed and decorated felt pouches, with instructions and gear for turning an mp3 download card into a cat toy. Yes, there has been resistance to the download card concept. But supporting our refusal to turn our first EP into a landfill-ready jewel case is wicked and fashionable. Please tell your friends.
4. The band on this EP is: Barbara Adler (accordion and vox), Ben Brown (drums and vox) and James Meger (electric bass and shouting).
This EP was made with enough love to raise a small child or farm animal. You can buy it here and download it directly to your computer with the code that our vast team of technicians will send along. If you want a individually sewn cat toy pouch, come to a live show.
Nervy folks, listen to the EP (and buy it) on Band Camp: Diskopatska: Accordion Shout Rock
Look.