Friday, October 24, 2008

Hace Frio - The College Years (1995-1996)


Say hello again to Hace Frio, your indie pop rock friends. Hace Frio was Dave McM., James J., Vinny C., and Rose S. (though I don't believe Rose is featured on this cassette). Let's hear what a couple of these guys had to say about the band:
"Hace Frio was a band for the fun of it. None of us could play instruments except Vinny on drums, but we had loads of fun making up little pop songs. We actually played a load of shows from Michigan to Chicago, and did a mini-tour with emiLy, which was a highlight of our life as a band in the summer of '96. Over time we got a little tighter, wrote better songs, and rocked Nazz into oblivion. Our best show was playing with Chisel in the basement at 702 W. Angela Blvd, or perhaps playing University of Chicago with an audience of about 60-70.

The College Years was the first recording, with loads of songs. We were inspired by the general output of bands like Guided by Voices, although we fell short in the lyrics and music departments. What was great about Hace Frio was that even though we were short on instruments and green behind the ears, we got to listen to far superior bands like emiLy and learned to appreciate Joe's masterful guitar playing, and the general elan of the band. Plus Vinny covered up any musical lapses we had." -- Dave


"When we started, Dave and I seriously had no idea how to play. Our first show was quite awful, but we all loved music, had an idea and went with it.

So many good times! Early on we hijacked the WVFI van for a weekend, it was 107+ degrees outside and we headed to Chicago to record our first demo songs in Sweep the Leg Johnny's basement. Quite an insane experience, we probably shouldn't have made it there and back, but we survived. We had a mission, what that was is anyone's guess. Vinny's awesome drumming, and Rose's sweet violin sounds, along with sheer determination, led to much better song writing and towards the end some really amazing shows." -- James
This cassette features a diverse selection of sounds and directions, from indierock and punk to instrumental noise and poetry. Who could forget "Anne" -- a poppy toe-tapper that is sure to stick in your head all day once you give it a spin. You've gotta also love "Dyngus Day" -- an homage to the Bend and it's most beloved local holiday. And "Center Aisle" brings the rock with it's full-on Dead Kennedys-style choruses.


The College Years was recorded in 1995, and released on the eSTaTe record label (what is it with capital letters in the middle of words with this crowd?). We'll leave you with a little something from an unlisted cut at the end of the tape:
"Ahh the College Years... when old Smitty said, 'Kick back, look at the spectacle of life kid, absorb all the wonderful French minds and let it all slide down your throat like a Werther's Original,' he had it right! And this, this is our gift to you: The College Years by Hace Frio 1995-1996. Yes... and then I'm going to kill you and eat you. But that's alright. People will call me a cold-hearted fiend, but enjoy the recording."


listen/download:


see also:
Hace Frio on MySpace

2 comments:

doug said...

"Exuberant" is a word I'll always associate with Hace Frio. They were one of those bands that embodied what is so great about a lot of punk and indie rock -- it isn't about whether or not you can play your instruments with great proficiency (though I'll argue that Dave is understating the abilities of the band), it's about the idea that you have songs to sing and you are going to go right out and sing them. And playing your songs for people is great fun!

(I have no explanation for the whole throwing capitals in the middle of words phenomenon. For my part, I'll just say I prefer the look of a capitial "L" to its lowercase counterpart.)

Anonymous said...

Funny that the photo on the blog shows Dave playing drums and myself on bass. We only did one song like that. It was a funny tune that started out w/ the baseline to one of the Jesus Christ Superstar funk songs. Also, I would be remiss not to comment on the making of our one and only recording. It was done in the basement of Sweep the Leg Johnny's house in Chicago. That day just happened to be one of the hottest on record. I think about 500 people died of heatstroke while we were recording. No shit. Oh yeah, we did actually steal (more like unauthorized borrowing) a van from Notre Dame to get up there. It was Dave's idea. (Remember that one band that Dave brought to the Bend w/ the promise of $, then when he couldn't deliver the cash, they went looking for him and found him in the closet in the house on Angela. "We know you're in there, Dave!!!") Good times.