Robert Ock: DRUMS
Damian Coleman: BASS
Jason Adolph: VOCALS, GUITAR
Allan Booke: GUITAR
Jarett Zaidlin: GUITAR
Influences
Neil Young, Robert Pollard, Elliot Smith, Lou Barlow, John, Paul, George and Ringo, Bob Dylan, Bruce Springsteen, Daniel Lanois, Wilco, Bob Mould, The Band, Two Minute Miracles,
Johnny Cash, Michael Penn, The Sadies, Pink Floyd, Nick Drake, Wil Oldham, The Flaming Lips, Oliver Moses
Depending on how one keeps track of these things, Fleece Elves has existed as a musical unit for two years. Or, one could just as easily assert that Fleece Elves represents the culmination of the aspirations of its five members who bring together about 90 years of collective musical toil (give or take a solo project or two).
Singer and guitarist Jason Adolph writes heartfelt, deceptively simple songs that derive from the best of influences such as Neil Young, Wilco, The Beatles, The Weakerthans, Elliot Smith and The Who. With unselfish grace (or gracious unselfishness) Jason then turns his songs over to be subjected to the tender mercies of the collaborative Fleece Elves creative process. The result: driving, multilayered, highly textured, thoroughly modern rock that also echoes the diversity of its influences. In each song, Fleece Elves push and cross the limits of creative genres and dynamic range.
Assertive rather than overbearingly aggressive, Fleece Elves songs have been described by one listener as “all things groovy.” .
Allan Booke and Jarett Zaidlin provide the central six-stringed firepower integral to the unique Fleece Elves sound. Rather than relegating themselves to the traditional “lead” and “rhythm” roles, Jarett and Allan create interweaving yet distinct parts that may harmonize, complement, and contrast but which always serve the song.
Holding down the Fleece Elves backline are Damian Coleman on bass and Robert Ock on drums. Like a binary star, Damian and Robert orbit each other in rhythmic synchronicity. While this may seem like yet another bit of musical hyperbole, their musical partnership seeks to capture the essence of great bass/drum teams such as Bonham & Jones, Sly & Robbie and Entwhistle & Moon.
The first Fleece Elves demo/EP is currently in the final stages of completion. This is the result of a “homegrown” recording and mixing process undertaken through the collective efforts and contributions of every member of the band. Fleece Elves hope to leverage this experience and learning to the production of a more sophisticated, professional quality recording in 2009.
Fleece Elves is not just a modified palindrome. Fleece Elves is about fine rock and roll that you can sing along with, dance to, and hum to yourself the next day.
thanks for the kudos, and thanks for helping us lift the roof off mitzi's sister and pack a pound of people inside. it was a highly enjoyable night made all the more enjoyable by the lack of pickpockets and the high-calibre of music. sweet like pancakes!
hi Fleece Elves, thanks so much for adding us. always excited to have you on our friends lists because you are a most fine outfit. just zipping past but am going to relisten to your stuff tonight and spread my wisdom (what wisdom? - Jimmy the myspace editor/Ombudsmen/Minister of truth/shuffle board queen).
would love for you to check our tunes sometime and please pretty please check one of my better Rubin's Friend tunes "Anarchist Basements" which i just posted:
hi Fleece Elves, thanks for adding us. enjoying your tunes a lot and yes (as someone already pointed out) that is a fantastic concert poster you made there. who did that? best wishes Brian
thanks so much Fleece Elves. nice to meet you as well...i'm really diggin your tunes as well. "all doors should open" being my fave so far...all things groovy that one. thanks for the post and taking the time to listen to this indie peasant. Best wishes Brian
here jason, was talking to this chap last night and it turns out his dad is recording tobin sprout's new album, in ann arbor i think. mad huh!?! read the interview on toronto indie btw. nice one!
ya know what would be deadly, is if you had a bit of a tour diary thing on your 'blog' section. I see you're playing all these gigs, it would be cool to read how they went for yis, set list, things that happen 'on the road'. I'm still holding out for the west coast tour.
That was a great set at Rancho Relaxo, a gritty inspiring rock sound, lo-fi-eque grooves, with a powerful jolt of raw energy. Stylistically in the same vein as Guided By Voices, but with a unique and more rocking twist.
McGreetings Fleece Elves Thank you for counting us among your MySpace friends. Please keep in touch, rock on! All the best to you and yours, from Pegasus in Bonnie Scotland.
bro-seph, and crew...i like the new demos you've got going on. i'm pretty sure they helped me to kill that zombie detective that's been following me for the past week and a half. also: they pretty much rock.
