321 : Fair Ohs
(photo by Owen Richards)
Over at our NME blog Fair Ohs were nice enough to tell us about their ferocious sub-sixty-second single, I’m A Woman I’m Your Wife. The trio also went big on our 321 questions. Check out their epic answers after the jump and sample some of their favourite tracks, from Pharoah Sanders to Billy Childish.
The Fair-Ohs – I’m A Woman I’m Your Wife [mp3]
Matt Flag: “”Eddy told a crowd 3 times that Chevy Chase was the first drummer in Steely Dan. I knew this already but it made me smile to see him repeat this gem of a fact.”
Eddy Frankel: “Polar bears have translucent fur. Those motherfuckers are basically see through. I learnt this from David Attenborough, it was then confirmed on the side of a Petit Filous pot. Then I asked Yahoo. So it’s true.”
Joe Ryan: “Fair Ohs began as a free jazz experimental project between me and Eddy in my bedroom. I had my drums tuned up all high like Elvin Jones and Eddy was blowing away on his clarinet run through loop pedals and a bit of bass too. we came to be what we are now when Mr Flag came in and laid down his bass meat and made life all sweet.”
2 SONGS [EACH, SO 6 SONGS]
MF: “I’m Hurtin by Thee Headcoats. I’m kind of a Billy Childish nut, I seriously can’t get enough of him but this was the song that really sold me, the riff is a real Sonics style thrash, a perfect song, fact.
Thee Headcoats – I’m Hurtin’ [mp3]
“Sea of Love by Phil Phillips. The 1959 original of this song sends shivers down my spine and makes me want to be able to sing like Phil does. This has been covered loads of times, some terrible (Robert Plants Honeydrippers), some good (Cat Power) but nothing beats this one hit wonder.”
Phil Phillips – Sea Of Love [mp3]
EF:“Paul Simon’s Diamonds On The Soles Of Her Shoes. She’s a rich girl, he’s a poor boy – and I think it’s pretty rad that he’s tapping that. The African choir, the fretless bass and the radical horn section make this song more awesome than anything else on earth. All three of us grew up listening to Graceland and I think its posi-vibes and sunny world flavours have had a pretty special impact on us. Thanks Paul.
Paul Simon – Diamonds On The Soles Of Her Shoes (live in Zimbabwe, 1987)
“Pharoah Sanders’ The Creator Has A Masterplan. This song is full of shit. It has yodelling, and ridiculous lyrics, and rain sticks, it’s total bullshit. but I fucking love it so much. It’s space age free jazz psychedelic religious nonsense. It’s awesome.”
Pharoah Sanders – The Creator Has A Master Plan [mp3]
JR:“Alexander O’Neal’s If You Were Here Tonight. If you want to see a grown man cry – put this song on in my presence.
Alexander O’Neal – If You Were Here Tonight
“Alexander O’Neal and Cherelle’s Saturday Love. Jam and Lewis are the best producers ever and this is one of the best tracks ever, plus the lyrics are even more poignant….”life goes and people grow..out of things that fit before”.”
Cherelle (ft. Alexander O’Neal) – Saturday Love [mp3]
1 WISH [EACH, SO 3 WISHES]
MF: “”To meet Mike Watt and talk about the positives in flannel shirts, SG basses and good facial hair. I would suggest a round of good quality cider over a nice pub lunch where we would get down to the nitty gritty about Raymond Pettibon, The Stooges and D . Boon, then after a few, we would jam and make the best punk record this side of Double Nickels On The Dime, fact.”
EF: “I wish I’d seen Chevy Chase drumming for Steely Dan. THINK ABOUT IT – CHEVY FUCKING CHASE. STEELY DAN. It would’ve been fucking mindblowing.”
JR: “That I was 20 years old in 1983 so that I could experience all the electro/soul when it was at its best.”
Thee Fair-Ohs have a whole raft of forthcoming releases: a 4 song 7″ on Sex Is Disgusting Records, a song on Conan from Graffiti Island’s GG Allin covers record with Graffiti Island, Male Bonding, Pens and Thee Fair Ohs, maybe on tape & 7″. A song on a compilation for Shabeen Scene Tapes with The Hipshakes, Black Time, Black Mamba Beat. And a split 7″ with someone special and a 7″ of African benga beat.
01.05.09.