News
This is OUR TIME.
Everything is looking up, not just for us, but for the world in general. Sure, we’ve been soaking up a lot of savage punches, kicks, and cudgelings. Right and Left. Friends in trouble. Dire straits. Mean men. But now is the time to buck up and keep positive somehow. I mean, Mott The Hoople is bringing back 1974! And the YFFs are bringing back the halcyon days of 1989. Thirty years on, and that banner year is going to keep on giving. But no, we’re not living in the past. Even though Kurt is hard at work (with the help of Mr. Conrad Uno) compiling THIS ONE’S FOR THE LADIES: THE COMPLETE SESSIONS, for possible release in who knows what format. Perhaps a set of twenty 45s? But more likely via long players. Probably not CDs — too easy.
1989 also saw the 3 Young French Fellows 3 “bootleg” LP. That could use a re-furbishing. And let us not forget Scott McCaughey’s My Chartreuse Opinion.
And then there was the release of Nadine Elizabeth “Frenchie” McCaughey, also celebrating a 30th anniversary, god bless‘er.
But, back to the future, please. The new YFF album nears completion, and certain to make 2019 a time for rejoicing. Recorded back on a last chance weekend as EGG STUDIOS was shutting its heralded doors. Conrad Uno back at the helm, like Sulu and Captain Kirk all in one. This one is for the people. All the people, all the time Forever.
Scott McCaughey, the ever-smiling, sunglasses-wearing front man of the bands The Minus 5 and the Young Fresh Fellows, and side man to countless bands — including M. Ward, The Baseball Project, Tired Pony, and R.E.M. — suffered a stroke while on a West Coast tour with Alejandro Escovedo.
He is in stable condition.
Loved by many and a best friend to all, Scott brings a very bright light to the stage. In his ever-changing hats and loud sports coats, Scott exudes such joy while he performs.
“Scott McCaughey is one of the unsung heroes of rock n roll. A true believer and one of the most creative people I have ever met.” says guitarist Peter Buck.
The road to recovery will be a long one, and we believe it will come through music. We can’t wait to see him back in action. The collective energy of the entire creative community is powerful enough to overcome this hurdle. With the love and support of all of you, Scott will be continue to share his love of music with the world. We promise to provide continued updates and will share any messages of support you want to send with him.
Sent with love from Mary Winzig (Scott McCaughey’s wife) and the entire R.E.M. community.
QUITE LITERALLY NOTHING IS HAPPENING WITH OUR BAND.
I'm not sure what to do about it.
We have some great new songs, and have been playing a few of them off and on for four years now. Mostly off.
It's quite a conundrum, isn't it?
It used to be, we'd record all our new songs, before we'd even written them. It was a game-changing process that's since been co-opted by many much more famous groups. A few examples? 1) PRINCE. 2) FLATT & SCRUGGS.
What would the combos we most admire do, when it gets too lonely at the top, and their once-promising careers sit snugly in a broken toilet? Historically, some rose like proverbial phoenixes (Badger, Volcano Suns, Kenny & The Casuals), whilst others chose to wallow in their own filth (Mickey & Sylvia, The Nervous Eaters, Neville Mariner & The Academy Of St. Martin-In-The-Fields).
So, the path is not clear. Those of you who have IDEAS, about how things get DONE, please write us, either via this website, or by thee U.S. Mail at:
Young Fresh Fellows
c/o The Cruddy Record Dealership
c/o Book Records
17 Library St.
Binding USA
No suggestion will be deemed too ridiculous. See you round the old spittoon,
Sir Robert Stove, Mayor, Teen Town
Once again we have returned from the welcome arms of Spain. We'd like to thank Heart Of Gold, Funtastic Dracula Carnival, and Rock & Roll Inc. for making it another memorable trip.
Little did we know what we'd return home to this week. Perhaps we should have stayed.
Especially in honor of our upcoming Spanish sojourn, we have concocted a compact disc worthy of such an occasion. Consisting of rare and previously unreleased gems, EXTINTORES y TXIPIRONES is pretty much as advertised (although some might say it's more likely to fuel a conflagration than extinguish it). Some of these songs have appeared on long-out-of-print 45s or compilations, some nowhere at all.
One thing is guaranteed: this disc is a BLAZER from start to finish. We'll be selling the ignominious little slab for a paltry ten dollars or euros, depending on your preference.
We should have it available at The Sunset Tavern on Oct. 20, and then throughout the following Spain tour.
Come and git 'er!
Bob Mehr's recent TROUBLE BOYS chronicles the downs and ups and downs of one of our very favorite bands.
YFF donut-tosser Scott McCaughey will join Mehr and Replacements' ex-manager/friend/protector/A&R/all-around-good-guy Peter Jesperson for a chat about the 'Mats in all their ragged downtrodden glory.
Portland, Oregon, Powell's Books (downtown location), Sunday July 24, 4 p.m.
