Far Away Bros.
San Francisco acoustic trio Faraway Brothers are perhaps The City’s most
eclectic combo, blending jazz, blues, rock , latin, funk, country and swing into an absolutely
unique, new sound. The band appears regularly at Bay Area hotspots like
Paradise Lounge, Last Day Saloon, Fourth Street Tavern, Blue Lamp and more.
Perhaps it’s the incredible combination of musicianship and experience in
Faraway Brothers that has caused groove-jam fans to ascribe an almost iconic
status to the band. Faraway Brothers are string bassist Ed Ivey (Rhythm
Pigs, Polkacide), guitar sensation Eric McFadden (George Clinton and P-Funk
All-Stars, Izm,), drummer Paulo Baldi (Ottmar Liebert, Alien lovestock, Deadweight), and
organist/pianist Chip Roland (Zero). Each player brings his own vision to
the band – McFadden is a fiery, virtuoso guitarist with a wry sense of humor in his
choice of cover songs, while Roland is a Northern California legend of the
Hammond organ whose soulful work in noted jam-rock band Zero (featuring
guitar star Steve Kimock) has thrilled thousands at festivals around the
country. Ivey and Baldi are the Bay Area’s tightest rhythm section,
seamlessly backing the two melody men.
Faraway Brothers started in 1994 during a jam session at Ed Ivey’s annual
birthday barbecue. The players quickly realized it was fun to just play
songs with no regard for formula, and the Faraway Brothers songlist has
since filled with country, jazz, bluegrass, and acid rock all tempered by
the group's acoustic / electric instrumentation and phenomenal musicianship. They're
downright funny onstage too.
In addition to playing their own original material they like to play songs written by
"dead guys" and think nothing of mutating, say, Black Sabbath's "War Pigs"
into a funk-laced dirge lasting twenty minutes, with forays into bebop and
bluegrass snuck into the mix.
Faraway Brothers release debut live release "Long Ago And Far Away" (NMX
Records) in May 1998 and soon sold out the first pressing. A second live CD,
"Start The Engine And Drive Away" (NMX Records), was released last year, and
the band is currently tracking its first studio release to be pressed in
late summer. Web users can click on CDs to
find the band's discs.
Eric McFadden, guitar, mandolin, vocals - A native of Albuquerque, New Mexico,
McFadden is recognized as a rising star. McFadden currently tours with
George Clinton and P-Funk All-Stars and maintains a busy recording and touring schedule.
Some of his other projects include IZM, Alien Lovestock and Liar who have taken home such
awards as the Bammie and the Wammie for best rock band, best Americana / Roots band and
best guitarist. McFadden's electrified classical guitar is the heart of Faraway Brothers’
rootsy, eclectic sound.
Ed Ivey, string bass, tuba, vocals - Originally from El Paso, Texas, Ivey
co-founded pioneer punk rock band Rhythm Pigs in 1983, releasing five albums
and constantly touring here and in Europe. Some of the acts Ivey has toured
with since include acoustic ace Dan Hicks, blues great J.J. Malone and
spaghetti-western band Los Mex Pistols Del Norte. Ivey currently plays tuba
in Brass Monkey Brass Band and recently produced the debut record for SF pop
act The Beanweevils.
Paolo Baldi, trap set, percussion - Since his first professional work with
flamenco-jazz guitarist Ottmar Leibert, Paulo Baldi has been increasingly in
demand as a session and live drummer. He appears on records by such diverse
artists as Sufi classicist Ustad Salamat Ali Khan, Alien lovestock and San Francisco trio
Deadweight. A hand-drummer of incredible ability, Baldi recently completed a
tour of Egypt playing hand drums in a U.S. group, and appears with San
Francisco world music band Ali Khan.
Chip Roland, organ, lap-steel, tenor guitar - The most-accomplished member
of Faraway Brothers, Chip Roland first gained national prominence in
southern rock band Cowboy and went on to road work with Cajun fiddler Doug
Kershaw before settling in the Bay Area. Roland's Hammond organ sound has
been delighting devoted fans for years in cult groove-jam band Zero and he
works as a session man in many area studios. Roland's organ chops are simply
the tastiest, and his tenor guitar and lap-steel bring a sweet, down-home
polish to Faraway Brothers.
Faraway Brothers are available for festivals, concerts, corporate
appearances and nightclub shows. Please contact Ed Ivey for booking
information at the above numbers.
Faraway Brothers
290 Napoleon Street
Studio B
San Francisco, CA 94124-1017
www.farawaybrothers.com
booking contact: Ed Ivey at 415 336 3543 or
ed@edivey.com
