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It Came From the Cracks |
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Starfish |
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FEATURESIt Came from the Cracks: Forgotten Albums and Fringe Classics |
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by Andrew Helminger After Nirvana broke in the early '90s, the major labels invaded the state of Washington and pimped grunge for all it was worth. As record executives threw money and promises at any group that used distortion pedals and wore flannel, unsigned bands from all over the country flooded Washington by the vanload. The chaos that ensued quickly choked all of the credibility out of a unique local scene that had taken years to build. Maybe it's not surprising that, amidst this implosion, two aspiring musicians from Olympia, Washington, named Jason Morales and Ronna Era packed up their guitars and got the hell out of Dodge. Morales and Era relocated to Austin, Texas, where they formed Starfish with locally renowned drummer Scott Marcus. The trio began hammering out a sizzling brand of alt-rock firmly rooted in grunge. Starfish's thunderous assault of bottom-heavy guitars is reminiscent of Soundgarden and L7; however, their music also takes a nod from the 4 A.D. indie rock crowd of the late '80s (e.g., Pixies, Throwing Muses). In addition, some pure punk attitude is injected into the band's mix for good measure. Starfish recorded two albums and one E.P. for the now defunct Trance Syndicate label. On their second record, entitled Frustrated, the band stomps to death the notion of "the sophomore slump." Frustrated opens with the cannabis-inspired "Canada," a meditative drone of guitars and percussion. At eight minutes plus, this tune is the antithesis of rock, and it's like nothing on the rest of the album. Starfish had guts to put this sleeper on first. It's something that never would have happened if they were recording for a major label. (Thank God for indie rock!) This move sets the tone for the devil-may-care attitude that permeates the rest of the album. Starfish emerge from "Canada" like an angry giant after a night of guzzling Shiner Bock. They purge the sludge with grinding eruptions of distorted guitar in "Local 506" and "100°." The album then picks up momentum with "Two Words"--namely, f**k you--where Era belts out her vocals over a chugging bass and squealing guitars. The title track then introduces Morales at vocals, who sounds like a cross between Bob Mould and Frank Black. Although this song was recorded on a four track, it certainly doesn't sound like it. You'd think it would have taken a full blown studio to produce the layers of distortion that Starfish deliver on this tune.
And Starfish responds by cranking up the volume and tearing through the rest of the album in a head twisting rampage. "Say O Nara" is a driving instrumental where a distorted wah wah does the talking. Who needs vocals when you've got these chops? Era and Morales then team up on "P-Rock" and "Dog Doo" for a dual vocal attack reminiscent of Pixies' Frank Black and Kim Deal. The album closes with "Last Call," where the playing sounds punch drunk--finally, the giant passes out. Many of the songs on Frustrated are short (with the exception of "Canada"), but Starfish do an excellent job of driving home their point without dragging things out. This is a good take home lesson for the many bands out there who bore the listeners out of their skulls, all in the name of stretching their songs to an "acceptable" length. If Frustrated floats your boat, give Starfish's debut, Stellar Sonic Solutions, a try. The album is a solid, yet somewhat uneven, effort. Bob Mould even helped the band record this one. Sadly, Starfish has dried up. A source close to the band informed me that Starfish broke up while on tour at the end of 1998. They did manage to record one final E.P., an all-instrumental affair, before calling it quits. Whether you have a taste for innovative grunge or simply a heart of punk, you need to get Frustrated. (Look for Jason Morales in a new band called Migas.) |
AND
NOW,
Halfway
through the album, we hear a message presumably left on Starfish's answering
machine by a crotchety neighbor. "Just turn down your music, please,"
the old woman says. "I'd appreciate it, 'cause I'd like to have my
company enjoy themselves too."
