It's the end of 1999 and I am in club Quattro in Shibuya confronted by a bunch of blond-haired, suntanned surfer types known as Fountains of Wayne playing what may best be described as almost infuriatingly catchy "power pop" with vigor and no little verve. So who were these people that confronted me in Ebisu in October 2007? The long locks have been replaced with the "office nerd" short-crop and receding hairlines, and an aging guitarist who looks like he is moonlighting from Aerosmith.
Had the intervening years including a loss of record company, a break up and a mega-successful reunion taken their toll? Would songs about teenage angst and wanting to have sex with your friend's mother still wash when you look like something from an episode of "the office"? The bobbing heads that greeted me upon my arrival seemed to think so. A rabidly enthusiastic crowd greeted the old favorites like "Leave the Biker" and "Hackensack" with a riotous amount of noise and seemed to know all the words to the songs too.These were no casual fans. These were fans with years of devotion, saving the biggest cheers often for the older songs such as "troubled times". Speaking of which, money, or the lack of it, proved to be a recurring theme with songs like "strapped for cash" and "hotel majestic" telling tales of their early days when they had no money and had to sleep in flea pits when touring in a minivan. 
"We wrote this song because Country musicians make more money than we do" said vocalist Chris Collingwood as way of an introduction to "Fire in the Canyon" from their new album, "Traffic and Weather". Time to find my cowboy hat and see if it still fits. The beat may have been Country but the melody was unmistakable Fountains. It must be great to be an instantly recognizable band. Then it was back to basics with the ballady "No Better Place", one of the few songs from "Welcome Interstate Managers" giving Mr. Collingwood the perfect platform to demonstrate his craft.
But where do you go to when singing about teenage angst won't fly because you are no longer a teenager (although admittedly that doesn't seem to stop the Rolling Stones)?The answer to that would appear to be "Traffic and Weather", the title track of their new album, which was eagerly received by the enthusiastic audience. A bit more power seems to morph the voice of Mr. Collingwood in a direction that is almost Oasis-esque. A thicker sound that was almost at time, dare I say it, "funky"! Who would have thunk it. But then it is back to familiar ground with Joe Rey. All in all an enjoyable night was had by all, although I did ponder as I left how good it would have been to have seen them when they were poor! But then again, with bands, you never know, I might just get the chance! |
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report by jamie and photos by izumikuma |
 mag files : Fountains of Wayne Fountains of Youth (07/10/16 @ Liquidroom Ebisu) : review by jamie, photos by izumikumaあの夏の同窓会 (07/10/16 @ Liquidroom Ebisu) : review by nob, photos by izumikumaphoto report (07/10/16 @ Liquidroom Ebisu) : photos by izumikumaCD review : トラフィック & ウェザー (07/06/18) : review by hara満員御礼 (99/10/09 @ Shibuya Club Quattro) : review by 高田敏美 |
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The official site Fountains of Wayne http://www.fountainsofwayne.com/ check 'em? -->MySpace / iTunes the latest album  "Traffic & Weather" (国内盤 DVD付 / 国内盤 / US import / iTunes) |
previous works
"Out-of-State Plates "(国内盤 / US import / UK import / iTunes)
"Stacy's Mom, Pt. 1" (US import / UK import) "Stacy's Mom (CCCD)" (US import) "Hey Julie " (UK import) "Welcome Interstate Managers " (国内盤 / US import / iTunes) "Utopia Parkway " (国内盤 / US import / iTunes) "Fountains of Wayne " (US import / iTunes) "Future Soundtrack for America " (iTunes) "Someone to Love" - video - (iTunes) check the albums? |
 2007Fountains of Youth : Fountains of Wayne (16th Oct. @ Liquidroom Ebisu)2006Baggier Trousers! : Arctic Monkeys (27th Jul. @ Shibuya AX)Arctic Monkeys Blow Hot And Cold : Arctic Monkeys (4th Apr. @ Shinkiba Studio Coast)Get Me Some Holstein Pills! : Holstein (15th Mar. @ Daikanyama Unit)Kaisers show who's Chief : Kaiser Chiefs (23th Jan. @ Liquidroom Ebisu) |