Formed in London in the late 70′s Family Fodder are the DIY collective behind the Post Punk classic ‘Dinosaur Sex’ and I mean this oddball hit not this (100% NSFW classic internet clip, don’t click in public, you’ll get some funny looks). Never really a band, more of a never ending constantly moving and evolving stack of creative individuals led by founder Alig Pearce. The main band was led by dubbed and cut up pieces of tape, slaved over and assembled in the basment of a London flat and all led by Dominique Levillain’s chanteuse vocals. Their releases have been sporadic and varied and this year see’s the release of their Latest album ‘Classical Music’.
Still led by Fodder mainstay Alig Pearce the band are just as cheeky and on form as ever, the record spits out sounds, ideas & influences like there’s no tomorrow; and before you have had chance to process what you heard you get slapped in the face with more. Opener ‘Primeval Pony’ hints at early Goldfrapp and at a possible very minimal/bleak direction, but this is Family Fodder and they do what they want, when they want; they follow their instincts. So, no sooner have we been lulled into a rested posistion and become transfixed on Darlini’s (daughter of original singer Dominique Levillain) haunting vocals, the sharp cello kicks in on “The Onliest Thing” and we’re been lifted right back up with a Polyphonic Spree style harmony. As the album progresses the Dub/Reggae styling’s of single ‘Ancestors Feet’, the Afro-Beat of ‘Whatever Happened To David Ze’, the drama, sense of urgency and dispair of closer ‘Death and The Maiden’ solidify “Family Fodder” as a band who know how the handle the word “eclectic” and have a firm grasp on how to be experimental.
The album is a joy to listen to and in the age of throwaway iTunes singles, one note jokes and the decreasing value in the idea of “an album”, it’s a relief to hear a band who have embraced the concept and produced a work that clearly stamps a moment in time.
Family Fodder’s Classical Music is out now on State51, you can grab the album here, or check out the video for their single ‘Ancestors Feet’ below.
