The Figgs

The Figgs Return to the Burren Backroom with their new album "Shady Grove" March 7th for Two Shows 4pm and 7pm!

Be it known that on September 20, 2019 the Figgs will be releasing “Shady Grove,” a six-sided behemoth of a triple album, featuring a slew of their trademark catchy riffs and drenched harmonies. Clocking in at 24 new songs (and a Kate Bush cover), “Shady Grove” finds the band sliding between up-tempo rockers, experimental numbers, and a handful of instrumentals. Although the ‘tight as army buddies’ and chugging flash of their earlier work is omnipresent, many of the tracks feature introspective lyrics of sadness and loss. You’ll find that even some of the catchier pop songs like “Paolo the Alto,” “Bad Decisions,” and “Grab Your Pack” are full of this dichotomy.

But why the sadness? Since the Figgs began cutting the tracks that would become their 14th studio offering, losses would hit the band in profound ways. In early 2017, a few months into tracking the album, longtime musical associate and touring keyboardist, Ted Collins passed away. Ted had originally played in the band from which Mike Gent (guitar, vocals) and Pete Donnelly (bass, vocals) poached Pete Hayes (drums, vocals). Ted had been a dear friend to the band since the very early days. It was a heartbreaking loss.

Later in 2017, another longtime friend and roadie, Eric Harmon, also passed. The band met Eric on one of their first National tours when he was playing drums for Oklahoma’s Chainsaw Kittens. Harmon would later join The Figgs on dozens of tours, working as road manager, drum tech, merchandise handler, and therapist. Other people close to the band left this plane in 2018 and 2019, making death a constant throughout the Shady Grove sessions. But the band soldiered on with some of the more experimental numbers on the new album becoming tributes to these lost comrades.

For fans of the band’s weirder side...get psyched! Experimentalism runs rampant here, scattered throughout the six sides of brand new material. For those more into the group’s classic brash pop...have no fears! There's a double album's worth of the trademark punch on this newest offering. The band have really hit their stride on this one, taking their time and stretching out; absorbing loss and retreating into their obvious love of making music.

Other Reviews & Accolades:

"The Figgs take us to the third power with the finely honed triple distilled exponential bliss of a three record set! Rock and roll rapture achieved!"�— The Mighty Manfred, Little Steven’s Underground Garage

“For more than two decades, the high-energy band has delivered a dance-inducing variety of fast-paced pop rock, complete with catchy hooks and hip-shaking bass lines.”�— SoundSpike.com

“I always look forward to having my mind blown with a great new Figgs record. I’m thinking of that NIGHT I saw them play. Just incredible. They are true believers and even better, I was surrounded by true believers in the club that NIGHT”�— Chuck Prophet

Love this album! Fun and masterly rocked songs about real stuff—unhurried, searching, precocious—why the clumsy adverb groovy is always needed.�— Hal Hartley, American film director, screenwriter, producer of films such as Trust, Amateur and Henry Fool.

www.thefiggs.net

• 
  Sponsored

  WBUR Earth Week Events

  Tuesday, Apr 23, 2024 goes until 04/26

  WBUR CitySpace at The Lavine Broadcast Center
• 
  Sponsored

  Affordable Spanish Classes in Boston (in-person and online courses) | BASE

  Monday, May 06, 2024 goes until 05/25

  Boston Area Spanish Exchange (BASE)

Sesh by The Boston Calendar | Advertise Terms | Privacy Policy | About