Howdy Everybody,glad to see you all made it here.You'll
be glad you came because we're doing a group that's
been together since 1995.This band has been through
some tough times,and seen some lean times too.Waxing Pathetic has come through it all stronger,and more
defined.This band from San Diego,CA,who's middle name
should be"HOOK".This band has more hooks than a fishing derby here in Maine.
Waxing Pathetic won the Southwest regional finals of
the Entertainment Weekly/Fender Battle of the Bands.
They ultimately finished third place in the national
finals.That means that they were voted in as the
number three top band in the entire country!Which in
my book is a multitude of talented individuals.
Waxing Pathetic was originally Dan Cote on lead guitar,and vocals.Dan's brother,Jeff Cote,on bass
guitar with Jason Vick(J.V.)on drums.On lead vocals
and rhythm guitar was Chook Burgos,who appears on the
"God Of France E.P."Just as the"God Of France E.P."
was taking off,Dan Cote was seriously injured in a car accident and left him out of commission for over
a year.During this period Waxing Pathetic and its lead vocalist parted ways.In comes Mark"Granny"
Wheeler lead vocals and rhythm guitar,and now things
have never looked brighter for Waxing Pathetic.Mark
"Granny"Wheeler has been with Waxing Pathetic for two years now,and appears on the new CD "Pop Your Figs".
The way they came up with their name is,one day they
were sitting around kicking different names around. JV the drummer said,"You guys are waxing pathetic.", as they say"the rest is history".
Waxing Pathetic list their influences from such different genres as the Beatles to Hank Williams Jr.,
to Husker Du,X,The Clash to Link Wray,and The Pixies.
So get ready for some well schooled students,taught
by the finest educators in the musical college of
life.
My grading system:
A=Awesome B=Beautiful C=Could have been better D=Damn its gettin' bad E=Enough of this F=Flush it,Forget it
THE GOD OF FRANCE E P
WAXING PATHETIC
Dan Cote-Lead Guitar,Vocals
Jeff Cote-Bass Guitar
Jason Vick-Drums,Vocals
Chook Burgos-Lead Vocals,Rhythm Guitar
Track 1
"Jail"
This is the way to kick off a CD,knock them right off their stools.This song contains excellent lyrics,
tight bass,solid drumming,and some well placed lead
guitar.This version is a little too well versed for
mainstream radio,but the CD has a cleaned up version
for radio airplay.I'm sure some college radio stations will chance playing this version on air.(A++)
Track 2
"Thee"
High energy,with tight breaks.Great harmonies,JV drives the beat on strong.Great bass line,streaming lead,great dance tune.(A+)
Track 3
"Sometimes"
Another song that is high energy with great harmonies.Real catchy melody,that has bass and guitar
so intertwined that you feel that this is multi-layered and couldn't possibly be done with just
four guys.Rest assured it is only four guys,and so I
have it in confidence this is the live sound.(A+++)
Track 4
"Apathy"
Jeff kicks this one off with an original piece of bass work.You'll think to yourself"This is fantastic!"and you'll be right.What is this Black
Sabbath meets Steve Miller? It's so original it's
what I call "super-genre".(A++)
Track 5
"My Soul"
If you catch these guys at a club,better be ready to dance.I'm having a heck of a time,trying to sit still
and write this.Jeff plays an awesome bass line,while Dan plays a fervid lead melody in the background.
Straight forward lyrics brought off by Chook,with an
earth moving rock beat by JV.(A++)
Track 6
"E Jam"
The song opens on an acid jazz style,but as the lyrics kick in the jam,your off on a solid rock slide.Dan gets to put in some surging lead guitar licks in the break.All I can say,is JV is an amazing
drummer.(A++)
Track 7
"Plea Bargained Lives"
Here is where you'll find a totally original opening
to a song,Hendrix on guitar,Casady on bass,Pyle on drums.These musicians in Waxing Pathetic have definetly been paying attention in class.They make
their original songs into masterpieces,and this song is a great example.(A+++)
Track 8
"Kitsch Psychology"
This one rocks the house,big time.These guys are a
group of very tight musicians.They have their act together.The lyrics are well written,the instruments
are on cue,nothing lacking.JV does a small drum solo in the break that has echoes of Bun E Carlos of Cheap Trick(who is no slacker when he's behind the kit!)
(A++)
Track 9
"Jail"
This is a clean version of track 1.(A+)Sorry,I had to
deduct one plus for semantics.I don't believe in editing songs because of lyrical content.Say it and play it like you mean it.Please don't cave in.Use
the "Freedom of Speech",if they don't want to hear
it they don't have to buy it.(Just my opinion,and
yes I know what they say about opinions)
This is an awesome CD that everyone needs to hear,I hope you get out there and get it.Call the local DJ
and tell them to pick it up.If they want to know how to get it tell them to contact us here and we'll hook them right up!How about another shot of Waxing Pathetic? Well you got it,a double shot of Waxing
Pathetic.
"POP YOUR FIGS"
WAXING PATHETIC
Dan Cote-Lead Guitar,Vocals
Jeff Cote-Bass Guitar
Jason Vick-Drums,Vocals
Mark"Granny"Wheeler-Lead Vocals,Rhythm Guitar
Additional Musicians:
Jeff Forrest-Keyboard,Percussion,Backing Vocals
Ed Masi-Drums on "Jamie,Jamie"and"Another Day"
Track 1
"Sometimes"
This one definetly has hit song written all over it.
Great bass,guitar,and solid drumming.Great lyrics,
with marvelous harmony.A song you sing right along with,the one you can't get out of your head.Similar
in style to the Replacements,but original enough to
get Waxing Pathetic noticed real soon.(A+++)
Track 2
"Placebo"
I simply love the guitar intro in this number,just
this makes the song a winner.Believe me it doesn't stop there,the drums,vocals,and lyrics carry the song to a higher plateau.I didn't think it possible,but
Waxing Pathetic managed to bring it all together.
(A+++)
Track 3
"Proton Collider"
This song opens on some power chords,ala energizer.
Good harmonies,solid lyrics,straight forward high
charged song.Good dance tune.(A+)
Track 4
"Faith"
JV is on caffein,or is a hyper type personality.He can certainly drum out this high intensity music.Dan
has some sizzling lead licks,and some very tight breaks.Great harmonies in the bridge,and a great bass
line.(A++)
Track 5
"It's Alright"
Echoes of REM sound out loudly in this song.This one could be the ticket that Waxing Pathetic needs to get
to the big time.Great harmonies,great chord changes,a catchy melody,great bass line,great percussion,lead
solo is not overdone,just a tremendous song all around.(A++++)
Track 6
"What About The Future"
Jeff opens this one on a very original bass line,
while Dan does some psychedelic guitar work.Then the song takes off at sonic speed.Have no fear,Waxing Pathetic will not mellow out on you.You want rock,
you got it here.(A++)
Track 7
"Talking Song"
This song has a great beat,Jeff and JV are really
jammin'up the rhythm in this number.It has a haunting
melody line with many variable harmonies.Best not to
disect this and just enjoy this one.Very tight!(A++)
Track 8
"Jamie,Jamie"
This would probably be my choice for the B side to a
single release.Captivating melody,vocal harmonies are
tight.Great danceable beat,strong bass line,great lyrics.This song leaves a fantastic spot for some great lead licks in a live format.(A+++)
Track 9
"Brawl"
This one will appeal to those of you that want to crank it up loud.This one needs to be played loud!
That way your neighbors will be over to find out just
who this fantastic band is.Good ice breaker to meet
that person next door you've been trying to meet.(A++)
Track 10
"Thee"
Waxing Pathetic had a version of this song on the other CD.This version is cleaner than the last,a cleaner sound that is.It still has the heavy metal
sound,but a better quality recording.(A++)
Track 11
"Look Away"
This was in my opinion the weakest song on the CD.It
just had too generic a sound,not enough Waxing Pathetic originality.Lacked the infamous hook in their music.(B)
Track 12
"Talking To Myself"
Dan has lead vocals on this one,and he does an excellent job.This song has much more context to it.
With a break in mid-song that will get your attention.Great lead licks,tight drumming,strong bass
Total great tune.(A++)
Track 13
"Another Day"
Ed Masi sits in on the drums on this tune.Ed has good drumming skill,but he can't give a song the full sound that JV can.There are some good vocal harmonies
and some nice even streaming lead licks.I also loved the "Winchester Cathedral" bit in the song.Thats just
another hook used by Waxing Pathetic.(A+++)
Track 14
"Times Are Tough"
This was a nice addition to the CD.Just like when Van Halen did the Happy Trails bit.Great way to end the project,makes me wonder what's next for Waxing Pathetic.(A++)
Both of the CD's guarantee you some great music for years to come.They are all party tunes,that will lift
your spirits when your feeling down.This is a very tight band that knows what they want,and know how to get the message across.I got the message that Waxing
Pathetic is a band you won't soon forget.I know I will not soon forget,and I'll be waiting(impatiently)
for the next Waxing Pathetic release.To you guys that
are Waxing Pathetic I say,"Don't keep us waiting too
long,to make us wait would be waxing pathetic!"
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