An Exclusive Interview with Glenn Mercer, Front man for the Feelies

(The Feelies were the “it” bad of the indie press back in the early and late 1980s. In fact, R.E.M. says the Feelies' “Crazy Rhythms” album was a major influence. The Feelies were a band that gave new meaning to guitar-driven rock. They infused punk and alternative stylings into classic rock components to create a unique sound. The band, which received rave reviews from critics, never quite broke into the mainstream. They broke up in 1992. But the music gods are kind and the Feelies are gearing up for a reunion tour this summer and possibly a new album. Glenn Mercer, the Feelies lead guitarist and singer, gave an exclusive interview to DaRK PaRTY.)

DaRK PaRTY: You started playing music with a band called Outkids in 1976, which evolved into the Feelies. Who came up with the name and why did you decide that the "Feelies" represented the music you were playing?

Glenn: I started playing music in bands for years before the Outkids, but that was the first one to play original songs. Bill suggested the name, from the book Brave New World. It didn't really have any connection to the sound, which was more traditional garage/punk early on. When the textures developed, the sound seemed to fit the name more, but it wasn't planned, it was a natural progression.

DP: Was there a philosophy behind the music? What were you trying to accomplish with the Feelies?

Glenn: We didn't discuss 'band philosophy', we just played, jammed, developed, like most bands, until we arrived at a sound. It was based as much on what we left out as what we put in to the music. Another factor is that we wanted to reflect the environment that we lived and worked in - the suburbs and the sounds within our neighborhood.

DP: "Crazy Rhythms" was released to amazing critical praise in 1980 (the Village Voice called it one of the best albums of 1980). What was your reaction to being an "it" band and having the music industry fawn all over you?

Glenn: I think we felt a little bit of relief, because we knew the record was unique and didn't really fit with much of what was around then. At the same time, we had the confidence that it would do well. We had recorded a four song demo that came out sounding real good, considering that it was done quickly in a small, bare-bones studio, so we had faith in our recording capabilities. We also realized that good reviews can only take you so far, and that many other challenges lay ahead.

DP: Despite the great reception to "Crazy Rhythms," the Feelies didn't release another album until "The Good Earth" in 1986. What was the reason for the delay and do you think it played a role in why the Feelies didn't become a commercial success?

Glenn: The delay was a result of the band breaking up and re-forming. The second line-up was in place by '83/84, so it wasn't that much time. We then spent a few years writing songs and securing a record deal, so we stayed pretty busy during that time period. We also had involvement with our side-bands, the Trypes, the Willies and Yung Wu.

As far as the impact to our commercial success, I don't think we ever fit into the traditional idea of 'commercial'. At that time, during the late 80's, college radio was a major outlet for alternative music and we had a lot of success at that level. The long time between our 1st and 2nd record may have even helped the band in many ways. It gave us a better perspective on how and why we fit into the 'industry'. I think that we found that the business had changed in good ways, making it easier for us in the long run.

DP: Our favorite album is "Only Life"(1988) -- which kicks major ass. Can you tell us about how the album came about and your favorite song from the LP?

Glenn: “Only Life” began the same as the others, with a collection of songs written over the course of several years. This was our first on a 'major label', so we might have felt a bit more pressure to produce something that would take us to another level beyond the college market. At the same time, we felt very confident, having the success of the “Good Earth” and “Crazy Rhythms.” We recorded most of it at a top-level studio in New York City in comfortable surroundings and it was a pleasure to make. My favorite song on that album is Higher Ground. I've had many people tell me that the song has been an inspiration to them, and you can't ask for more than that, as a song writer.

Bonus Question: It's been announced that the band plans to have a reunion tour this summer. Are the Feelies back and are you recording a new album?

Glenn: We're playing a few shows in N.J. and N.Y. and might play more in other places, like Chicago and Boston. We're also working on some new songs, with the idea of recording another record.

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Labels: 5 Questions, Alternative, Glenn Mercer, interview, Music, The Feelies

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The Fixx

Origin: The Fixx was a British new wave band formed in 1980 by a group of college buddies.

Band Members: Cy Curin (vocals), Jamie West-Oram (guitar), Rupert Greenall (keyboards), Adam Woods (drums), Dan K. Brown (bass)

Best Album: “Reach the Beach” (1983)

Next Best Album: “Shuttered Room” (1982)

Best Song: “Red Skies”

Second Best Song: “Saved by Zero”

Third Best Song: “One Thing Leads to Another”

Why They Should Have Made It: The Fixx made some excellent pop music with that 1980s alternative sound. They were on the cusp of making it big with “Reach the Beach,” which hit number 12 on the U.S. charts (with the single “One Thing Leads to Another” climbing to number 4). The album is one of the best new wave albums of 1983 and still holds up well even today.

Why They Remain Underrated: The Fixx had a couple of minuses and one of them was lead singer Cy Curin’s lack of charisma. In the heyday of MTV, the Fixx’s videos were long and boring and Cy’s flowing blond locks on top of his skinny body looked… well, strange. Their 1984 album “Phantoms” also took the band into a more esoteric artistic direction with oddly named songs such as “Less Cities, More Moving People” and “Are We Ourselves?” The band could have used less intensity and tried to relax a bit (they never seemed to be having much fun).

Where Are They Now?: The band – minus bassist Dan K. Brown – is back together and preparing a world tour.

Violent Femmes

Origin: A three-piece alternative that was formed in Milwaukee in 1980.

Band Members: Gordon Gano (guitar, lead vocals), Brian Ritchie (bass), Victor DeLorenzo (drums)

Best Album: “Violent Femmes” (1982)

Next Best Album: “The Blind Leading the Naked” (1986)

Best Song: “Kiss Off”

Second Best Song: “Add It Up”

Third Best Song: “Gone Daddy Gone”

Why They Should Have Made It: The Violent Femmes first album is a classic punk-infused alternative album. It’s gritty, angry, and possesses a wry streak. It’s also confident and brimming with angst.

Why They Remain Underrated: They Violent Femmes were never able to capture lightning in a bottle again. Each subsequent album got worse and the music never had the same smarmy energy of the first one.

Where Are They Now?: Gano released a solo album in 2002 and has had minor success as an actor. Brian Ritchie lives in Australia and plays with a band. He’s also suing Gano for not being properly credited for writing some of the Femmes original songs. Victor DeLorenzo still plays and owns Joe’s Real Recording studio.

The Feelies

Origin: A rock band formed in Haledon, New Jersey in 1976. They became one of the most popular bands at Maxwell’s, a live music bar in the 1980s.

Band Members: Glenn Mercer (guitars, vocals), Bill Million (guitars, vocals), Andy Fier (drums, percussion), Keith DeNunzio (bass)

Best Album: “Crazy Rhythms” (1980)

Next Best Album: “Only Life” (1988)

Best Song: “Away”

Second Best Song: “Too Far Gone”

Third Best Song: “Crazy Rhythms”

Why They Should Have Made It: The Feelies were music critics darlings in 1980 after their first album. The Village Voice named “Crazy Rhythms” the 17th best album of 1980 and Rolling Stone has it ranked number 49 among its best albums of the 1980s. The Feelies mixed driving guitars – rattling out at a machine gun like intensity with improvised percussion for a sound like no other.

Why They Remain Underrated: Egos got in the way – along with side projects. The band went through a revolving door of members and didn’t produce their second album until six years after the first – the disappointing “The Good Earth” (1986). They roared back with the very underrated “Only Life” in 1988, but by then it was just too late.

Where Are They Now?: The band broke up in 1992 and the members have scattered into other bands and side projects.

The Alarm

Origin: The band was formed in Rhyl, Wales in 1978 and originally toured with the Stray Cats under the name Seventeen. They officially changed their name to The Alarm in 1981.

Band Members: Mike Peters (vocals, guitars, harmonica), Dave Sharp (lead guitar), Eddie MacDonald (bass), Nigel Twist (drums)

Best Album: “Declaration” (1984)

Next Best Album: “Strength” (1985)

Best Song: “The Stand”

Second Best Song: “Where Were You Hiding When the Storm Broke?”

Third Best Song: “Rain in the Summertime”

Why They Should Have Made It: The Alarm was a punk-infused rock band that wrote some anthem like standards that got heavy rotation on college radio stations in the early to mid 1980s. They toured with U2 and were often compared to them.

Why They Remain Underrated: The Alarm seemed to rebel against the U2 comparisons and left their politically infused alt-rock anthems behind and tried to make it as a straight rock band. They started wearing leather and lost their raw edgy sound. It just didn’t catch on.

Where Are They Now?: Mike Peters has been diagnosed with cancer, but seems to be recovering. He has launched a new version of the Alarm and is working on an EP.

Hoodoo Gurus

Origin: Formed from the remains of several bands in Sydney, Australia in 1981.

Band Members: Dave Faulkner (vocals, guitar), Mark Kingsmill (drums), Brad Shepherd (guitar, harmonica), Richard Grossman (bass)

Best Album: “Stoneage Romeos” (1984)

Next Best Album: “Mars Needs Guitars!” (1985)

Best Song: “I Want You Back”

Second Best Song: “Lelani”

Third Best Song: “Bittersweet”

Why They Should Have Made It: The Hoodoo Gurus were fun. Their pop infused tunes mixed punk, alternative, surf, and New Wave into joyful songs ready for dancing or driving fast. They were the hits of the college radio in the early to mid-1980s.

Why They Remain Underrated: The band may have been too talented. Their music was all over the map and they experimented with different styles and sounds. Listeners are notoriously impatient with bands like the Hoodoo Gurus.

Where Are They Now?: After breaking up in 1998, the band is back together again. They went back into the studio to record “That’s My Team,” a takeoff on “That’s My Scene” for the National Rugby League in Australia and decided to stay together.

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Labels: 1980s, Alarm, Alternative, Fixx, Hoodoo Gurus, Music, The Feelies, Violent Femmes

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