Front Porch Campaign, The Calf Fiends
Sugar Doe Cafe
Sat.Feb.8.1997
I like '60s Garage Rock. There is no other singular music that  makes my body move more. Something about the union of huge fuzz guitar and utter throb...Anyway, I saw Front Porch Campaign at BTP a while back, and right then I knew I had to dig out my Nuggets. Their first time playing out as a unit was a big, raucous, raw affair with a Flesh Eaters-like '60s/'80s feel. Brian's vocal style and the twin MIG amped guitar attack sent me specifically to my Chocolate Watchband album. I was somewhere between The Who and Nazz (No, I don't own any Rolling Stones) when I saw FPC again recently at Sugar Doe. I had yet  to see a band there and was eager to hear any sort of interesting band anywhere for crying out loud...The Cafe's set up was great. Friendly faces at the Coffee bar, booths in front, band in the back room. First, I noticed the great acoustics in the performance space, then how the band had really tightened up (note: see New Unit Bell curve inset), but I was immediately disappointed, to say the least, at the complete absence of  said kickin' vocals. I know, DIY rules state that the vocals must always go thru the smallest amp. Usually its an OK rule, in this case, bend it. I listened more closely to the battle for air superiority. Adam hits hard but Chip's guitar was top gun. I've heard he has a Beefheart record. I know he has an Allman Bros. record... The set chugged along to the high point of the last tune, which featured guest cornet player, Tony. Tony's head turned purple, the kids whooped and hollered. Well, the crowd was cranked at that point, so when the Calf Fiends started the comfort level in back dipped below what I consider tolerable these days. From the front booths I heard a quieter, melodically delicate sort of thing. At that point I HAD to go home, imbibe, and scrounge for my 13th Floor Elevators record. See you out!
[originally appeared in Burt - Matt]