"The creative urge is as suppressed as the sexual
urge is in our society," theorizes Far vocalist Jonah
Matranga. "Creativity is anarchy; it's growth, it's
revolution, it's change. If music to you is just a
cocktail and noise in the background, fine. But for
me, for Far, it's not. Be serious enough to have fun."
Water & Solutions, the new Immortal/Epic album by
Far, powerfully represents this Sacramento,
California band's impressive development since their
April '96 debut, Tin Cans With Strings To You.
"This record is a bigger record and way more 'Far'
than anything we've done before," notes Jonah. "I
think that's because we let go a bit more, and
because we were working with Sardy" Ñ D. Sardy of
Barkmarket fame, as well as producer of Helmet and
more.
The Past
When a straight-edge hardcore band from
Sacramento called Inner Strength broke up in 1991,
its guitarist Shaun Lopez began making music with
drummer Chris Robyn, a friend from high school.
With a demo in hand, the duo hooked up with a
bassist, who in turn introduced them to Jonah
Matranga, a Boston native in the process of
obtaining an English degree. Tapes were
exchanged, and Jonah trekked to Sacramento in the
summer of '91. The new band soon became a
regular attraction at Sacto's happening Cattle Club.
1993: Exit old Far bassist, enter John
GutenbergerÑjust in time.
In 1994, Far recorded Quick, a full-length CD that
has sold nearly 5,000 copies at shows and through
the mail. That was quickly followed by a
self-produced four-song tape, In The Aisle, Yelling.
The band also released a couple of seven-inch
singlesÑincluding a cover of the classic Madonna
ballad "Live To Tell"Ñall now of collectible stature.
Cans & Strings Tied Together
In The Aisle, Yelling found its way to ready listeners
at Immortal Records, and Far signed on the
dotted-line for their 1996 major-label debut, Tin Cans
With Strings To You. Plagued by setbacks such as
two national tours falling through, Tin CansÉ never
fulfilled its potential. "Everything that could have
gone wrong, did," says Jonah. "We learned a lot."
"Some European magazine recently referred to Tin
CansÉ as our lost record," he concedes. "The funny
thing is, a shitload of people know, through this weird
word of mouth, that there is this band called Far. We
joke that, given the amount of e-mail we get
concerning Tin CansÉ and Far, we should be huge."
Chapter Two: Water & Solutions
Water & Solutions is taken from a chapter heading
in a chemistry book. But the title also has
spiritual/religious connotations, as in the symbolism
of Holy Water and people believing religion is the
solution to problems.
Water & Solutions was recorded in at the The Magic
Shop in downtown Manhattan, and the city itself
became a source of inspiration and energy for Far.
Unlike previous recordings, the twelve songs had not
been played live prior to their recording. Far
concentrated on song structure and melody; Jonah
focused on singing rather than screaming. They
added a little piano and organ, a bit of violin and a
string arrangement or two. The results resonate with
honest passion and creative conviction.
"Last time we were perceived as a heavy band with a
melodic edge," notes Jonah. "Now we're a melodic
band that can be heavy sometimes." Shaun adds:
"Even in heavier songs, we show a soft side."
Jonah On (Some Of) The Songs
I wrote "Nestle" thinking it was about my dad, but it
didn't feel right. Then I found out I was gonna be a
father, and I realized it was completely and irrefutably
about becoming a dad and my fears about that.
"Another Way Out" is definitely about the end of my
marriage, but I didn't know it at the time I wrote it. I
would feel horrible and sad hearing that song and I
didn't know why. My songs show me things.
In "Man Overboard," the "man" is humanity more than
anything else. It's like, "Houston, we have a
problem." I think there are peopleÑJesus, Ghandi,
BuddhaÑin history that try to teach us something;
they bring some wisdom, and for some reason we
don't listen. I know I don't most of the time. If we did,
then we could be happy in a real sense, not just
content.
"Mother Mary" is definitely about icons, about how
we turn people into these huge symbols of
something else. I mean, I'm as titillated by Elvis as
anyone. Mother Mary is the ultimate icon. And while
I'm attracted to this immortality that we grant people
by reproducing and worshipping their image, it really
is kind of strange. It's one of the most serious songs
on the record, and also one of the most
tongue-in-cheek.
"I Like It" and "Wear It So Well" are a bit of a kiss off
to some old shit I carried around for a while. I always
considered myself a melancholy person and I used
that to shut people out. Actually, I'm a happy person
and a creative person who just gets sad at times.
"Tin Cans was sort of a kicking and screaming
record, both sonically and emotionally," Jonah sums
up. "Water & Solutions is more focused and settled,
more present, more in touch.
"There's a growth in me, in us as a band, and in the
songs. If there's a theme for Water & Solutions, it's
letting go and reaching. Going upÉascending."
