Artist description Fred Weaver Will Tour The Eastern United States With Don Caballero in November and December 2000. Check Dates @ fredweaver.comFred Weaver is a 26 year old musician from Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Unable to find musicians in Louisiana with the right mind to play his epic art-punk anthems, he has resorted to reinterpreting them for the acoustic guitar. The results are much different (thus, better?) than most of the singer-songwriter crap that is out there. No effete strumming and affected "alternative rock" singing here -- basically, Weaver doesn't sound like the local funk musician showing his "more sensitive" side. His 1999 solo debut, Present Dusk, was an intentionally stark and standoffish work -- no attempts were made in the production to "pretty up" the songs. Newer material is at once more accessible (it's more melodic), artier and more challenging (many songs expand and contract... from intimate quiet moments into furious double-strumming crescendos of noise in mere seconds). The results might be something like the Dustdevils played by an angrier than normal Pete Townshend. The more straight-forward songs show that his ear was shaped (and damaged?) early on by the melodic post-punk sounds of Naked Raygun, Moving Targets, Hüsker Dü and the Wipers. "Equally influenced by John Fahey, Fugazi and Denis Johnson (a writer, not a musician)," is how Weaver recently put it in an interview. Hmm... he might be onto something. A self-described hermit who lives in a non-descript ranch house in the middle of a pleasant suburb, Weaver spends his days feverishly reading, recording, writing + playing guitar. He emerges occasionally to play some shows, install a storm door (or 2) for the local Lowe's or to run sound at The Bayou. And that is just what makes Weaver happy. He also drinks a lot of Coke + is well known for his long-haul driving prowess.Weaver was the youngest and least "famous" member of the now defunct NYC-based "prog-core" band, Vineland. To mention the other members of this group would take a goddamn book, so we won't get into it. Suffice to say, those who know their impressively extensive pedigree will, well, will know. He's also played with the groups Reddy Kilowatt, Worf, Blowout Kit, and Cotillion, amongst others. Weaver is proud to have recently shared stages with many of the underground rock vanguard (...And You Will Know Us By The Trail Of Dead, June Of 44, Low, Burning Airlines) and is more than happy to discuss the merits of opening for the dullest "cutting edge" alternative rock bands (Veruca Salt, Verbena, Cupcakes). Just ask him...In November and December 1999, he played a 20-odd show tour of the eastern half of the United States (a rough four corners: Montgomery, Boston, Minneapolis, Austin). Spring 2000 finds him playing a few shows on the East Coast and around the Gulf South while on breaks from the recording of his second record. He will tour the West Coast and Midwest in May with Austin's Migas and will hit the East Coast and South in June. The as-yet-untitled second record should be in stores in late summer. Its release will be followed by another round of the country in September and October. Busy, busy, busy... Weaver claims that he wants to play over 100 shows in the Year 2000.Oh, quotes! "I'm probably the ultimate DIY person... I wrote the songs, I engineered the record, played everything on it, designed the cover, booked the shows, I will be playing them by myself and doing all the driving!" Isn't this exhausting? "It doesn't bother me... I think it will make me appreciate it more when I find someone interested in helping. Right now, I completely believe in the work I'm doing and I believe in completely committing myself to making progress (writing better songs, playing better shows to more and more people)... Ultimately, I realize that there is limited commercial potential (given the extreme nature of some of my stuff), but I don't think I've reached the bulk of the people who might enjoy my work." Having established such an intense work ethic (in a mere 4 months of solo performances!), it would seem right to assume that Weaver will be reaching many of those people in the not-so-distant future.

Music Style Noisy Acoustic

Musical Influences John Fahey, Dustdevils, Fugazi, Wipers

Similar Artists An amalgamation of John Fahey, Dustdevils, Fugazi, Wipers

Artist History Born Baton Rouge, Louisiana, 7.73

Group Members Fred Weaver

Albums Present Dusk

Press Reviews Present Dusk is marked by acoustic guitar jams that come off as a cross between Husker Du unplugged and My Dad is Dead. Weaver has a lot of power in both his voice and his strenuous, axe-shredding playing. Present Dusk is like a glimpse into the diary of a slightly tortured artist. The introspection is similar to the spiritual tone of Zen Arcade, and Weaver plays up pained expression much like Bob Mould did in the '80s on "Half Swear at Least." While most of Present Dusk is based around acoustic guitar, the piano piece "West Side" breaks things up nicely. Weaver seems to have his guard up both emotionally and musically. For the next release, it'd be nice to hear interactions with other musicians to supplement Weaver's brand of folk-core. David McGurgan (Yakuza Magazine)--------In this highly inventive first solo record, Baton Rouge native Fred Weaver combines simple acoustic rhythms with aggressive vocals to produce a distinctive and soulful sound. The results of his musical experiment are extremely clever. The vocals alternate between moments of passionate cries and tender melodies. At first listen the sound is surprising, but as it progresses, Weaver juxtaposes poetic lyrics and alternative sounding vocals to produce an intriguing and infectiously pensive atmosphere. Tracks such as "Searchlights" and "Half Swear At Least" combine intricate lyrics about love and loss with Weaver's hauntingly somber voice. The simple sound of Weaver's acoustic guitar alone accompanies him on this notable artistic venture. Significant vocal mood changes echo against the guitar background and give the songs an undeniable degree of sensitivity.Eva D. Hirschberg(Offbeat Magazine)--------With little more than an acoustic guitar, Fred Weaver has managed to make one of the best albums I've heard so far this year. Present Dusk carries on the tradition of metal mettle in a very unconventional way. Resisting his urge to rock, every song, instrumental or not, clearly evokes some sort of emotion. On "Fifty Miles Away", two people separated by the distance mentioned in the title never come together, although the protagonist gets as close as thirty miles, they still can not bring themselves the full distance. "I can't think of words to say", "Wishing things would become clear", "It scares me to death"... there are no thinly veiled references in the lyrics -- it's all raw emotion and it's easy to empathize. When Weaver sings about loneliness, fear, regret, happiness, hope, silence... whatever, you're right there with him.D. Wilson(National JetBunny)

Location Baton Rouge, LA - USA

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