"I've declared that The Fuzzy End of the Lollipop is really the end of the black watch, but I've been wrong before," says vocalist, guitarist and songwriter John Andrew Fredrick.
Since this is the 27th album since 1988, one might be inclined to think that all has been said by the band, but for Fredrick who holds a Ph.D. in English, you’d be wrong. “I'm fascinated by the idea of completion, of endings, but being a mad reader of fiction and poetry, literary criticism and biographies of novelists stimulates me so much. It's all too much, you know. I am so inspired by The Beatles. There is so much there to plunder.”
Frederick worked alongside producer/engineer Rob Campanella, formerly of The Brian Jonestown Massacre (who also plays bass live), and producer Scott Campbell (Stevie Nicks, Shelby Lynne, Acetone) who's been with the band, on and off, since 1991 and Andy Creighton who joined up in 2017 on guitar.
The first single “Marie Bouzkova” was named after the acclaimed Czech tennis player, but the song’s subject matter is about something more basic and fundamental. “Marie is very sweet and kind in person, but the song is really about anyone who is lovely and charming and beautiful to everyone--my favourite sort of person, in other words,” he explains. “Modesty, humility--these things seem to be more and more rare nowadays. Not saying I'm modest or humble, mind you, but I admire both greatly and am trying!”
A seemingly tangential tennis reference point isn’t incidental. A fiercely competitive tennis amateur player himself, Fredrick knows his sport. “I play at Echo Park Tennis Club, surely the least exclusive club in the world,” he says. “$40 a year to join and we take everyone, no matter the level.” An athletic and social construct, members play against each other regardless of skill level and drink beer together. A tennis instructor as well, he teaches the sport to children. “I teach tennis for kids now. Some are utter brats, though…. really horrid kids, but some are hilarious,” he laughs. “Kinda like my theory that only the best and the worst people play adult tennis. Which one do you fancy I am?!!”
With The Fuzzy End of the Lollipop, Fredrick explains, "Our goal this time was to make a record that was so "of a piece" that it would be the sort of album that, once it ends, you just have to spin it again. It's meant to be quite terse and flow like a deep and deadly quiet river."
The black watch is: John Andrew Fredrick (guitar, percussion, vocals) Rob Campanella (guitar, bass) Chandler Fredrick (bass, backing vocals), and Andy Creighton (guitar, bass, drums, string arrangements, backing vocals).
With The Fuzzy End of the Lollipop, Fredrick explains, "Our goal this time was to make a record that was so "of a piece" that it would be the sort of album that, once it ends, you just have to spin it again. It's meant to be quite terse and flow like a deep and deadly quiet river."
The black watch is: John Andrew Fredrick (guitar, percussion, vocals) Rob Campanella (guitar, bass) Chandler Fredrick (bass, backing vocals), and Andy Creighton (guitar, bass, drums, string arrangements, backing vocals).
Album pre-orders available now here.
Track list:
Track list:
1. Marie Bouzkova
2. Never You Mind
3. Sorrow's Crown
4. The Merry Kind
5. The Fuzzy End of the Lollipop
6. Falter, Splutter, Fall
7. Everything Changed!
8. Stars at Last
9. In Generalities
10. Her Halo
11. Sorrow’s Crown (Dance Mix)
2. Never You Mind
3. Sorrow's Crown
4. The Merry Kind
5. The Fuzzy End of the Lollipop
6. Falter, Splutter, Fall
7. Everything Changed!
8. Stars at Last
9. In Generalities
10. Her Halo
11. Sorrow’s Crown (Dance Mix)
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