The Ferocious Few interview & exclusive premiere of ‘Crying Shame’
The Ferocious Few are getting their name from the only permanent band member, California born and raised Francisco Fernandez, who is teaming up with different drummers.
Various friends of his come in and out of the band – Jeremy Black, Daniel Aguilar, Christopher Shirley, Felix Ritz, Zachary Morris Franco Reginelli, all play drums in different times and places – hence the “few”.
Francisco came to Berlin, because he wanted to find a place where he could explore his art and music further, share it with Europe and experience its culture.
His list of influences reads like a top-100 list of last centuries great musicians: Nirvana, James Brown and the Beatles, Iggy Pop, Björk, Nick Drake and many more. But he was also inspired by underground Oakland bands like Gris Gris or Two Gallants. His ideas for songwriting are just as diverse: Francisco writes about wrongs and injustices, nature, truth, love, the devil or simply his everyday impressions.
The upcoming EP was recorded with Jeremy Black at Coyote Hearing in Oakland, California. Francisco explains: “We put time into taking songs I had played on the streets and bars, and giving them a bigger studio sound that could get on the radio. We wanted to keep the grit and add some polish.”
The Ferocious Few have already opened for bands like The Growlers and the legendary Billy Idol in the US. With the new EP, they now want to take on Europe.
Interview with Francisco Fernandez
Would you like to talk a bit about your background? What are some bands/musicians that have a big influence on you?
Francisco Fernandez: I come from a small town in Northern California, but I am also from the city so I am a lil’ a bit hillbilly mixed with a whole lotta punk.
I definitely was influenced by Nirvana, Johnny Cash, the Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Howlin’ Wolf, Bob Dylan, and James Brown.
Tell us about the formation of The Ferocious Few and its concept. As I understand various of your friends come in and out of the band. All play drums in different times and places…
Francisco Fernandez: I formed the Ferocious Few with friends and realize people aren’t always available to rock.
So I made it a time share of sorts, I am the only permanent member of the band, others can come and go as they please, however it suits them. I’ve found this keeps the music really strong and fresh, and the drummers coming back for more.
The idea is to be light weight and deliver the biggest sound and performance possible with the least moving parts.
“The energy is raw and ferocious”
So the energy is always different?
Francisco Fernandez: The energy is raw and ferocious, I lead the drummer on a rock n roll adventure, the songs can change a bit but the energy is always on fire.
Your previous two releases consist of an acoustic album and From The Streets To Your Heart. Would you like to share a few words about it?
From The Streets To Your Heart marked an era of busking on the streets and was a sampler of sorts for new fans who fell upon us on the streets. We also released juices with Birdman Records. The acoustic album was just for people who may have seen me playing around solo. I’ve done my best to capture the different moods and incarnations of the Ferocious Few.
Are you excited about your latest release?
I am very excited to be able to share something we worked really hard on. It’s nice to finally be able to share it with a new audience around the world. With each release I feel a relief that allows me to move on to the next, with more focus.
Can you share some further details how your latest release was recorded? How do you usually approach music making?
Yes, this release was recorded with Jeremy Black at Coyote Hearing Studios in Oakland, Ca. We wanted to take songs I have been playing and push them to their limits with layering and production time, a step away from the live sound that could be palatable for a radio audience.
What are some future plans?
Currently finishing up a west coast US tour, then playing select dates in France, Luxembourg, Germany and Switzerland.
Plans are to stay on the road and keep playing for new audiences. Writing and Recording new music, now. Taking the road by storm. Oh yeah, world domination.
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