With classics like Glitter & Glue and Soaked in Cinnamon swirling around my head for the past decade it was hard to clear my mind of high expectations for the latest release from Kansas' Ultimate Fakebook. Seven years since their last release, 17 track 'Daydream Radio is Smiling Static' is available for free download at the trio's website. The moment you press play and Bill's distinctive voice comes in you start to wonder why they ever went away.
All the songs are unreleased tracks from the same era so it eases you back into UFB's sound - and for those who've not had the good fortune of being already familiar with the band gives you a healthy taster so you can go and revisit the earlier albums.
With stand out songs like 'Wallflower Zero', 'Kiss Me To The Ground' and 'Summersongs' confirming that, even though these tunes were written at a time the scene was very different, they're still relevant and still rocking. It's evident that they've not lost their ability to make you want to shimmy around the room to their fun guitar solos and feel-good lyrics. I think it's fair to say that I'm even more of a fan this time around.
I hope Ultimate Fakebook are here to stay because they just don't make bands like this anymore.
Bill (vocals/guitar) and Eric (drums) gave (a very stoked) Kiki Vs Everyone the low-down on everything from music piracy to rocking the air guitar:
Bill: I wouldn't say 'worried', because we of course wouldn't expect anyone to still care about a pretty small band like us, especially all these years later. But as far as the UFB fans that are still out there, we knew they had interest still and that's literally the reason we are doing this. It's amazing and awesome that our music still matters to them and that is something that as we've gotten older, means even more to us. So to answer the second part of your question, we totally knew it would be an extreme challenge just getting the word out about this record since we've been away so long and therefore don't have any outlets to those fans anymore. So we decided to just spread the word through people like you and our friends and fans on Facebook and Twitter. It's kind of more fun this way too, it makes it a little more special, like you're discovering something, so that's cool.
How has the music business changed since your last CD?
Bill: Well lots of ways, but mostly I think just the fact that literally everyone...bands, fans, your friends, literally everyone is online now and basically networking. So even though there are quicker avenues to reaching people with your music, there are also an infinite number of other things bombarding people for their interest. So even small bands now are much more like businesses now than they used to be. That's not at all why we started playing music and writing songs. So really all you can do if you're a band like us, is do your thing and hope people the people who like what you do find you.
These are a collection of previously unreleased songs. What made you release them now, rather than before?
Bill: These were just the songs that for whatever reason didn't end up going on the other records. Some of them we were purposely saving, we loved them but wanted them to go on a later release, or whatever. Some of them were kind of experimental, some were us trying a little bit different vibe, that kind of thing. You see, back in those days, we were constantly writing songs and probably being too precious and critical on them - and ourselves for that matter. So now, when we pulled them out and heard them with fresh ears, we realized that these songs actually go together really well and just sound more natural than a lot of stuff that we ended up going with back when they were recorded. It's weird, it's almost like these songs were meant to go together. So that's why we kind of consider it a 'lost' record.
Are there any plans to write new songs or embark on any tours?
Bill: No touring for us. I mean, we still love to play together. The recent reunion shows and the string of dates we did with Motion City Soundtrack were some of the most fun times we've ever had as a band. So we love the idea of playing here and there, when it sounds like fun. But don't expect us to hop in the van and do a full tour - we don't even have a van! Regarding new songs...you never know. That's the great thing about inspiration in my mind: you can't plan for it, it happens and then takes you with it. So that's our approach these days.
Why did you decide to release this CD for free?
Bill: Well first of all, our band has never really made any money doing what we do. When we were on tour, we made just enough to keep us on the road. So this is something we did because we were passionate about it. But really the main reason we decided to release it for free is the fact that it technically wasn't 'supposed' to be released. These were just our personal recordings. So when we heard them again, and we liked them and knew the fans would like them, we didn't even think twice about it. "Let's just give it to them!" It's great because doing it that way, in our minds it takes the pressure off of the fans and of us, and we can just have fun with this. It's literally all about the music itself this time.
Where do you stand on the piracy debate?
Bill: As far as the piracy debate goes, that's a whole other conversation, but at the end of the day, that ship has sailed. People don't want to pay for music. So hopefully, if they really get some enjoyment out of the music a band makes and it's really something that made their life better in some way, they'll give something back to them, support them by buying a shirt or something like that, because that is literally the only way to keep the music happening. So with us now, the reason we made some shirts and offered them on our website is we felt if people want to see and hear more from us they'll let us know by supporting us. But at the same time, we are past the point of trying to promote ourselves. This is all just for fun now, and that's the way we like it!
What is your favourite song on the new CD?
Bill: I'd say my favorites are 'Wallflower Zero', 'Candy Eyes' and 'Daydream Radio is Smiling Static'. If I had to pick one it's the title track.
Eric: My faves are 'Pieces,' 'Wallflower Zero', 'Candy Eyes'
Air guitar championships!! Tell me about this! It sounds so fun! How did you get involved in this?
Bill: Eric can tell you all about that!
Eric: Well I saw the movie "Air Guitar Nation" and realized there was a competitive air guitar organization - then I knew it was something I had to try! I mean, we're playing air instruments on the cover of 'Open Up and Say Awesome,' so its well documented that I've been doing it a long time. It's a way to express my love for rock n' roll without having to worry about looking ridiculous. I just slip into my 'Mean Melin' persona and start going nuckin' futs! I was the KC champ in 2009 and the Vegas champ this year, which was my 2nd trip to the US Air Guitar Nationals. I'll be coming back strong next year. http://meanmelin.com is my website where I keep all that stuff - I always wanted to play guitar, but this is way more fun since I only know how to play the drums.
Mini Vs Series
Mini Vs Series
headlining a tiny basement show Vs playing first at a festival
Bill: basement show
Eric: basement show
Lost Vs Heroes
Bill: Lost
Eric: Lost
beach Vs city
Bill: Beach
Eric: City
baseball Vs hockey
Bill: Baseball
Eric: Football (Kiki - Eric! That's cheating!!)
vinyl Vs MP3
Bill: Vinyl
Eric: Vinyl
Rush over to Ultimate Fakebook's website now to grab a copy of Daydream Radio is Smiling Static for free now. On Twitter? Follow the band here as well as Bill and Eric's personal accounts.
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