"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."