FOF is currently completing their third CD slated to drop in the fall of 2005. They are particularly excited about the crowd favorite title track -- "Girls on Reality TV" -- a unique blend of high powered pop-punk and a story of a lovable loser’s fascination with the "Boob” tube.

They worked with Jim Sabella on their New disc. Jim has done production work with Public Enemy, Marcy Playground (Sex & Candy), and Nine Days (Story of a Girl).

FRED-HEADS... "Another Bad Day" gets another great review
from  Indie-Music.com

Artist: Fear of Fred CD: Another Bad Day
Home: Long Island, New York
Style: Rock
Quote: "They sound like a damn fun band".
By Heidi Drockelman

When I see an album title like "Another Bad Day”, especially the week that I happen to be writing this, I want to send it out to everyone I know, just to relate the way I’m feeling at the moment. In other words, I sympathize. But despite the title, I found Fear of Fred’s new disc to be neither grumpy, nor wallowing in a sea of disgruntlement. Instead, the material here is quirky, infectious, and on occasion, downright peppy.

What immediately catches the ear here, is the gravelly and gruffly charming stylings of lead vocalist Bill White. Take Mike Ness of Social D and cross with Weezer, and you have the makings of an "edgy” sounding pop vocalist. But that edge is actually created by pairing those vocals with bullet-like guitar riffs, and sugary sweet melodies that drip like honey from the speakers. Fear of Fred has achieved the balance of creating radio-friendly pop while maintaining a sound that can be appreciated by the fringe crowd as well.

I have no doubt that this band would execute a great live show, the music lends itself to live performance, and while the recording is controlled and clean, this kind of rock is best appreciated for its live quirks. In short, they sound like a damn fun band, and having the ability to perform music that remains uncomplicated in tone and texture day in and day out is a credit to the punk and pop/punk scenes. And the comparison to a band like Weezer seems appropriate here, because while Weezer’s Rivers Cuomo could be one of the finest pop songwriters on the scene, he’s got that ability to pull in all the quirky attributes of his innermost thoughts and make it sound normal. Fear of Fred, similarly, has pulled their personality into their material. While it may not break a lot of ground, that’s ok, because it’s a good solid disc, and there’s plenty of time to see where their heads may rattle off to next. Fans of Weezer, Rancid, Firewater and Bad Religion will most likely get a kick from this disc. A solid performance.

Standout tracks: title track, "Story”, "Desperate” and "Dime”

Score Music Magazine
December 2002

Fear of Fred  Another Bad Day

Let me just say right off the bat… This CD rocks my hiney! From the first strains of “She Don’t Know”, and the gritty guitars of “Another Bad Day”, I began to imagine a Blink 182 rival with a neo-pop-punk flair and a slightly raspy, angst-ridden vocal. As I listened on, I began to picture a conglomeration of Weezer meets Green Day. I know, I know, it sounds strange, but for Fear of Fred, it works -- Really well! Listening on you’ll find well-produced pop songs like “Story” and a tough acoustic-ish ballad in “Dime” which would rival that of any 80s band.

Much of the press information describes Fear of Fred as a “pop” group, though I would hesitate to tread on such a vague and light end of the spectrum. While they embody a certain amount of pop sparkle and the lyrics seem to center around relationships, there is a lot of rock to be found on Another Bad Day.

On a final note, I’d like to thank Fear of Fred for stealing back Tommy James and the Shondells’ “I Think We’re Alone Now” from the bubblegum pop hell into which Tiffany hurled it back in the 80s. They’ve tossed in a serious amount of guts, dragging it out of the malls and back to the rock show!

And yet another CD finds its way into Kimmie’s personal collection.

Aiding & Abetting
Oct 2002
 
Fear of Fred
Another Bad Day (self-released)

Imagine mid-80s arena rock fused with both pop-punk and power pop. Thick guitars, anthemic choruses and a perky little rhythm section. Fear of Fred takes absolutely no chances, but it sure has a handle on this sound. Simple, yeah, but still mighty fine.

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