Dufus is the most important band I've heard in years - Man in the orange shirt
Dufus – “The Last Classed Blast” cd/lp
Released Monday 16th October 2006 by Iron Man records
“Sheep up like a goat-herd…..” here comes Dufus
Dufus are from Ithaca, New York, and are widely respected as possibly one of the most prolific, original and influential bands to emerge from the chaotic mash of the Anti-Folk and Experimental Acoustic/Rock genre in the last ten years. Dufus release their 10th album “The Last Classed Blast” on Monday 16th October on Iron Man Records, distributed by Code 7 via Plastic Head Distribution. Dufus will be touring extensively across Europe from November to December 2006 with the full band line-up to promote the new album.
The record features 15 tracks written and arranged by lyricist/singer, acoustic guitar player and front man Seth Faergoalzia. The record was Engineered and Mixed by Mark Ospovatat at Emandee Recording House, Brooklyn, New York.
Within the music of Dufus resides a severe tension in constant jeopardy of hurtling out of control; aggressive and nurturing, chaotic yet structured, solitary and social, apolitical and revolutionary. It is complex genius.
Dufus wears experimental song structures and their own handmade clothing, improvising often during live performance with a blend of different forms in often unexpected and pleasantly surprising ways while all the time maintaining an uplifting experience for the listener's benefit. The uses of all forms of art are included, musically and visually stimulating with a degree of performance art unknown to most audiences.
The live performance set up can vary from acoustic guitar with choir, to full band and auxiliary instruments... up to 20 members but as few as 2. Seth Faergoalzia, front man for the band, also does touring as a solo artist using multiple instruments. He is truly an intense performer with a truly connected mind. Seth is known for his trademark of reversing lines, swapping lyrics, changing tempos and style whilst cutting up words or replacing with his own made up language and extensive vocal sounds…….. and all whilst performing live. It has to be seen to be believed. John Peel loved it;
Dufus and Seth have toured in Europe, Japan and the US. Seth and Erin from the band came to Europe in May 2006 to demonstrate some of the new material in a stripped down solo format below the radar. The 30 venues were all small, the shows were sold out, and the nights were hot.
Seth Faergoalzia continually adds new members to the band, seeking variety and collaboration. Each album he arranges is a journey in sound with musicians' skills ranging from virtuosic to amateur; somehow it all works. Quite often the band will bring up members of other bands and/or fans who find their way onto the stage during tours. Hi-Fi meets Lo-Fi in an experiment historical.
Dufus has graced the stage with such acts as Ween, Animal Collective, Moldy Peaches, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Kool Kieth, Regina Spektor, Herman Dune, Dub Trio, Cerberus Shoal, Adam Green, Usaisamonster, Kimya Dawson, Jeffrey Lewis, Moe, John Brown's Body, and the Black Dice.
Reviews:
National Student Newspaper / September 2006
Dufus
The Last Classed Blast
****
Anti-folk is as meaningless in practice as any other musical genre-fication denoting a collection of disparic bands and artists making a chaotic mash of lo-fi often bewildering sounds.
Seth Faergoaliza’s musical/art collective Dufus are rightly respected as one of the most prolific, original and influential bands to emerge from the ‘anti-folk’ scene and in their ten years of being have been criminally ignored by wider audiences.
The Last Classed Blast, the band’s tenth album is an incredible record which wears off-kilter, experimental song structures like a gleaming new suit, albeit a home-made, rag-tag, multi coloured one.
Dufus have an exceptional control over music and lyrics, the game they play is a dangerous one and could allow their music to explode uncontrollably all over the place. On the contrary Dufus produce music that is strangely cohesive for the manic mash of sounds and ideas they throw into this recording.
Within the music Faergoaliza uses his vocals as an additional instrument often presenting the lyrics in the form of beat poetry-esque rhythms that add an extra level to draw you into the crazy musical world of Dufus.
Not all of the album is built on the theatrical and the bizarre and at times the band’s experimental restraint provides some highly accessible pop moments like the subdued, shimmering vocal harmonies on ‘Tutu’ and the wonderfully slow chugging rock of ‘Heaven is waiting’.
The Last Classed Blast is like stepping into a child’s doodle - rough, slap-dash but ultimately insightful, loveable and offering innumerable glimpses at genius. Bands like Dufus are essential within the rock music spectrum to keep complacency and mediocrity well in its place. ....by Mary Boyd
from Vanity Project Review
Dufus – The Last Classed Blast (Iron Man)
Emerging from New York’s anti-folk scene, Dufus’ music nonetheless circles socially within it, and whirls musically outside it., but looking in. ‘Dawn Crusade’ is a perfect jaw-shakin’ acoustic-pronk-funk opener, but they follow-it up with a coquettish klezmer-croon. Brilliant. Where they do meet up with the folk-crew is the beat-up sound they sometimes clout, and oft tease, from their guitars, but its by no means unambitious; ‘Heaven Is Waiting’ crawls over the post-apocalyptic smouldering coals of psychedelic electric guitar bubbles and non-sequital crumble while ‘Nenglich Phlarlooselee’ is a trash-can vaudeville slow waltz. It’s dark, carnivale and a very special record. Skif.
From Orthodox Anarchist dot com:
Since leaving America for Israel, the one thing I’ve missed most about the US — more than common human decency, civility and courtesy even — is the ability to see my friend Seth Faergolzia of Dufus in the midst of the songwriting process, from initial composition through the debut of a new song live on stage. Indeed, Dufus has long been my favorite band, Seth my favorite musician, and Dufus’ live performances the cornerstone of a musical diet that sustains me even in the most trying of times.
Hence, I quite literally jumped for joy when a half-dozen copies of Dufus’ new album The Last Classed Blast arrived this week, satiating the urgent anticipation I’ve harbored since Seth first informed me of the album’s forthcoming release. As I had only heard a handful of his new songs when I last saw Seth performing with Jeffrey Lewis in NYC this May, I was anxious to hear what he’s been doing since I left our home in Ithaca in 2004.
I was nervous that the newest album, for some reason, wouldn’t be up to snuff. It’s near impossible to top 1:3:1, the album that quite literally changed my life by convincing me to quit my 9-5 job and devote myself to the pursuit of my passion. Wonderful as I found it, Dufus’ last release, Ball Of Design, was certainly more accessible and commercially viable than 1:3:1, though for me it lacked the same level of intensity. I am pleased to say that The Last Classed Blast is no disappointment — it is passionate (”Disassemblement Hymn # Exponential”), powerful (”Dawn Crusade”), and best yet, the album reflects a maturation (”Lay Down Flat” and “Balloon Rocking Chair”) that demonstrates a parallel growth between Dufus and its audience. Or at least between Seth and me. They’ve even got a couple pop tunes (”War Is Over” and “Tutu”) of which listeners with even the most flavorless palates will find it difficult to disapprove.
Though they are still rough, raw and sloppy in all the right places, Dufus has nonetheless evolved into a work of a beauty — an incredibly precise and articulate cohesion of sounds both eclectic and eccentric, exhibiting masterful musicianship, artistic ingenuity and a steadfast committment to pushing the limits of all that is considered possible musically and culturally.
For G-d’s sake, go buy this album and blast it from the hilltops. Then call up your local radio station and demand they play it endlessly.
The world needs Dufus music.
On 29-Jan-06 at 18:28:59 GMT, seller added the following information:
| Pay instantly with your debit or credit card through PayPal. |
|
     |
Back to Search Results
) 
Iron Man Shop
Print
Report item
