The Musicmen Cometh!
This is the marriage of two musical minds, Josh Bain and Nolan Ross. Friends since high school, they've seen the seven wonders of the world, jumped from helicopters, hang-glided, climbed Mt. Everest, and even offered jokes over dinner with Bono, Springsteen, Clapton, and others.
Okay, none of that is true except the friends since high school part. Nonetheless, these guys love music and love talking about it. We hope you enjoy it.
fun!
Alright, alright. Summer’s here. I’m sweating like I wish I wasn’t. And music’s more grand than ever.
We all have those records we deem as ‘summer records’ and usually bring ‘em out during the 90° weather and all. I mean, who actually listens to this song in the winter?
Well, remember that band a few years ago that a lot of the indie kids talked about? And even the punk rock kids liked? And at times, the folk-rock fans dug? The Format is who I’m aiming at, and they covered lots of musical ground. They’re really, really, just a fun band who didn’t suck and wrote pretty good songs at best. Calling them pop masterpieces might be a stretch (I’m using Brian Wilson’s songs as the standard for ‘pop masterpieces,’ here), but they sure as hell do a good job of making you bob your head and clap along. That’s who they were. Because, you know, they broke up.
Well the other day I found out about Nate Ruess’ newest endeavor. It involves the guitar player from Anathallo, a band I’ve not listened to all that much, save for the song “hoodwink,” and a guy from a band called, Steel Train, which I’ve not heard at all. I am quite familiar with Nate Ruess because I, enjoyed most of everything he wrote for The Format. Even the Harry Nilsson cover, “The Lottery Song,” they put out on their b-sides record. Just a fun band. Which makes my reference to the word “fun,” a little too obvious at this point, but oh well. The new band is called, fun. Now you’re all laughing and drinking and smoking and singing at my geeky and obvious overture to the band.
Okay, references aside, fun. is a great band. And that’s no grammar error. The band is actually entitled, “fun.” with a period. So quit shaking your head in grammatical discontent.
Fun. is really really great (I refuse now to use the adjective, ‘fun’). The single they released, “At Least I’m Not As Sad (As I Used to Be)” is so great! It’s full of horns and pretty piano and Nate is in his prime with this song. And probably in his perfect element. The lyrics make me smile and the music makes me smile, which makes this, the perfect summer song. And eventually, the perfect summer record.
I suggest you get on board and buy the song. Oh, and they’re touring with Manchester Orchestra. Who is also great and fun. (cheeky laughter). Or, if you’re poor, get it here for free.
I’m done. Check them out, jokers.
