Save Ferris It Means Everything CD

Principally recorded at NRG and The Hook, Hollywood, California; Front Page Studios, Burbank, California; Sonica, London, England from April through June 1997.

With the arrival of Save Ferris, the mid-'90s Cali-based ska-punk meltdown officially gets upgraded to an invasion. Full of candy-glossed, R&B-ish horns playing many BPM above the speed limit, four-on-the-floor punk guitars, and downbeat tempo breaks, IT MEANS EVERYTHING, the Orange County septet's full-length debut, is a study in the alterna-ska sound circa No Doubt and the Mighty Mighty Bosstones. Surprisingly, when Ferris stretch out of the form's musical and lyrical touchstones, they evade the skater's park audience in favor of a retro-lounge style that retains the island lilt. Think Squirrel Nut Zippers go to the Carribean.

"Superspy" is full of dark swing-abilly overtones. On "Goodbye," the band approximate the sound of smoky-bar combo, as Monique Powell applies her finest Billie Holiday imitation. "Lies" is a Frankenstein of disparate traditions as a straight-ahead reggae groove is mixed with 50's pop strings and vocals. Still, the cover of Dexy's Midnight Runners' "Come On Eileen" best illustrates Save Ferris' intentions; punked-up pop, with horns as melodic gifts and riddims as exotic breakthroughs.

Producers: Peter Collins, Craig Nepp, Save Ferris.

Personnel: Brian Mashburn (vocals, guitar); Starpool Elementary School Choir, Monique Powell (vocals); Howard Gott, Laura Williams (violin); Naomi Fairhurst (viola); Ed Jeffries (cello); Zamora (alto saxophone); Kid Tracy (tenor saxophone, baritone saxophone); Jose Castellanos (trumpet); T-Bone Willy (trombone); Paul Hampton (electric piano); Marc Harismendy (drums).

Audio Mixer: Clive Goddard.

Recording information: Front Page STudios, Burbank, CA (04/1997-06/1997); Hook Studios, Hollywood, CA (04/1997-06/1997); Nrg (04/1997-06/1997); Sonica, London, England (04/1997-06/1997).

Photographer: Nathaniel Welch.

Unknown Contributor Role: Simon Warner.

Save Ferris: Brian Mashburn (vocals, guitar); Monique Powell (vocals); Eric Zamora (alto saxophone); Jose Castellanos (trumpet); T-Bone Willy (trombone); Bill Uechi (bass); Marc Harismendy (drums).

Additional personnel: Howard Gott, Laura Williams (violin); Naomi Fairhurst (viola); Ed Jeffries (cello); Kid Tracy (tenor & baritone saxophones); Paul Hampton (Hammond organ, electric piano).

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