| What's New |
| July 2002: Swizzle-Stick Records is organizing a TripleFastAction tribute CD. There has been great interest expressed by the bands asked to contribute a track to the CD. Musicians Caviar, Ness, Sullen, Alta May, Veruca Salt, Kopaz, Marvelkind, the damnwells, Starball, Million Yen, Nash Kato, Scott Lucas (Local H), Custom On It, Mentol, Kevin Martin, and even former TFA bassist Kevin Tihista are planning on contributing a track to the compilation. For more information, visit www.swizzle-stick.com/tfa.html. |
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Where are they now? TripleFastAction members can be spotted in a variety of locations, most of which involve music in some way. Former frontman Wes Kidd has forsaken a career in music for a career managing other musicians through Silent Partner Management. One of his best clients is former TFA bassist Kevin Tihista, whose band Kevin Tihista's Red Terror (www.kevintihista.com) released a very excellent record on Atlantic Records in late 2001. Tihista also has an EP out in the UK. Former TFA drummer Brian St. Clair is now sitting behind the drums for Local H. He and singer/guitarist Scott Lucas will release Local H's fourth album, Here Comes The Zoo, in March 2002 on the Palm Pictures label. |
| For information on how to get a TripleFastAction 15-track compilation CD, with cover songs, album outtakes, and demos, please email Wes. If he is not too busy, he may burn one for you. |
| Read about the
breakup of the band
Deep Elm Records
owner John Szuch writes about the dissolution of TFA here.
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Other sites of interest: TIM'S T3FA
WEBSITE: http://members.tripod.com/~t3fa/ |
| "Guileless
lyrics, snappy hooks and tfa's versatile and powerful attack marry to
create a worthy post-punk successor to the meld of hard rock and pop that
marked the greatest records by Cheap Trick." --Chicago Reader Check out this review of TFA's 1.31.98 show at The Metro, Chicago. Watch the SonicNet Cybercast of TFA's CBGB show: http://www.sonicnet.com/cybercasts/ |
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Missed out on TripleFastAction? Read this review: Chicago's TripleFastAction delivers a crushing pack of intense, supercharged rock on Cattlemen Don't, blowing the doors off their acclaimed 1996 debut Broadcaster. As varied sonically as it is emotionally, Cattlemen Don't builds on a balance of energy, melody, dynamics and harmony. The record is graced with the irresistible hook and infectious undertone of "Heroes," the deceptive impact and glowing guitars of "I'm Ready," the passionate and endearing ballads "Eurogirl," "Bearer of Bad News" and "Cattlemen Don't" and the raging adrenaline rock of "Pure" and "No Doubt." What separates TripleFasctAction so far from the pack of alterna-clones is their polished yet unrestrained songwriting. Their trademark searing rock highs and delicate, textured lows create mesmerizing tempos that rise and fall much like a rollercoaster, never ending without bringing in the noise. This startling dynamic combined with their savvy guitar-play and Wes Kidd's charred, expressive vocals give the band its thoughtful, electric personality. And on command, Wes' soft and soulful voice has the impressive ability to turn into a well-oiled, screaming rage machine. Triple Fast Action has achieved the improbable...where punk velocity, radio-ready hooks, indie spirit and arena rock glory cross paths and even stop to shake hands. Cattlemen Don't is a candy store of intelligently crafted rock music that will leave aspiring guitar teens drooling. Plus a live show that does not disappoint--at all. Listen for the thunder... TripleFastAction formed in January 1993 and played their first show at Chicago's Cubby Bear in the shadow of Wrigley Field and quickly earned a great deal of notoriety among Windy City tastemakers for their extraordinary musicianship and graceful yet raw performances. Wes and Brian, who have played together since junior high, were members of Chicago teen punk legends Rights Of The Accused. TripleFastAction's second full-length record Cattlemen Don't was produced by John Agnello (Jawbox, Chavez, Camber, Dinosaur Jr., Walt Mink) who also mixed their debut Broadcaster (Capitol, 1996). They've toured the nation with Everclear, Veruca Salt, Fig Dish, Supergrass, Local H, and Menthol, among others. |
| Here
is another review: Triple Fast Action Record Release Party, Thurstons - Chicago, Illinois November 28, 1997 Written by: Jeff Keele Some 400 people jammed into this cramped little warehouse club in anticipation of the return of one of Chicago's favorite alterna-bands--TripleFastAction. Having mysteriously dropped their allegiance to Capitol Records, the band found itself out shopping for a label deal. Without the support of local radio or a major label, the band suddenly found many doors being shut in their faces. They however persevered, and with the help of their loyal manager Dave Frey (Silent Partner Management) went forth with the recording of new material. The new material turned into a full album of very Euro-sounding pop. The new album is "Cattlemen Don't" on New York's Deep Elm Records (a label which features Nada Surf and Walt Mink among others). The new album is laced with the Euro-inspired influences of bassist Kevin Tihista, a self-proclaimed Beatles and Supergrass nut. Complete with the unbelievable angst of Wes Kidd on vocals and an unstoppable rhythm section of Brian St. Claire on drums and Tihista on bass. Missing from Friday night's lineup was guitarist Ronnie Schneider. Ronnie is no longer with the band but has been replaced by Scott Lucas, leader of Chicago's hard rockin' Local H (Island Records). As the band took the stage amid some sincere applause, Lucas proclaimed "I am Triple Fast Action" and the band quickly tore through a red hot version of Pink Floyd's "Time." The band played a set that was full of songs from both their Capitol debut "Broadcaster" as well as the new album. I personally was very pleased to hear a long overdue "Los Lomas" from the earlier days. The band did "Revved Up" sans Nina Gordon on backup vocals. From the new album, "If" was a real crowd-pleaser. The song features a typical Wes Kidd undersung brooding beginning with the brightest and catchiest hooks you have ever heard. The crowd caught on quickly and knew just when to yell "If! If! If!". The song features a nifty little effect that Wes plays with. Unfortunately I am not familiar with the name, but I can tell you the premise. By placing his foot near an antenna coming from the pedal, he is able to get a wacky feedbacky sound through the amp. Very 90's! Other highlights from the set included an enthusiastic "Duck and Run" with Kidd's classic line about being out all night partying while the world around him safely sleeps...."So go ahead and check into my pockets, you'll see I'm out of money and I'm out of topics, F*ck it!" The band left the stage to loud cheering and returned to do two encores. The first was a nice version of their song "Superstar" (although the band Mud still does my favorite version of the song). They ended their set with a real good song called "Bearer of Bad News". Unfortunately the decision to finish this very up evening with a slower song was a mistake. The crowd that had so eagerly begged for encores found itself suddenly fumbling for their car keys midway through the song. All in all it was a triumphant return for a very hard-working Chicago band. Hopefully they haven't shot themselves in the foot by leaving Capitol Records. Only time will tell if the Corporate Rock game will let them step up to the plate again. It should be noted that while Scott Lucas is a great guitarist ("an idiot savant on guitar"), the fills of Ronnie Schneider will definitely be missed. Lucas makes the band more of a chord band than before, but that does add for some crunchy hooks. Lucas admittedly adds much energy to an already active band. Besides, I can't really fault a guy who brought me a copy of his "Disgruntled Christmas" to a Menthol show a few years back. Lucas seems to have a great rapport with Kidd on stage. The fact that Triple Fast Action, Local H and Fig Dish have all toured together has really made the members of each band more energetic and more well-rounded and more compatible with one another. Until next time -- keep the rock alive! |
| This review appeared
in the March 10 issue of the UIC Flame, "Inferno" arts section: Cattlemen Don't Triplefastaction Deep Elm Records Bored of Rock and Roll? Feeling let down with the absence of music that makes your ass shake without employing sequencers or samplers? Pining away for the days when rock was a blood, sweat and tears twenty-four hour a day job for a band? Triplefastaction have your remedy with their second full-length release titled, "Cattlemen Don't." After leaving Capitol records ... Deep Elm picked the boys up, allowing them to release what just might've been the best rock album to come out of Chicago (or anywhere else) in the last year. Buzzing Cheap Trick hooks and singing that veers from Wes Kidd's sweet tenor to his anguished yelps buttered on top of slabs of rock solid songwriting would put Triplefastaction at the top of the heap in a more perfect world. Unfortunately all they have to depend on is the hope that some people still care about the music. Anthemic without resorting to cliché, powerful without going cock-rock and sensitive without being trite, this is the album that restores faith in the inventiveness and still flowing lifeblood of an old-fashioned guitar band. Excellent. By Jim Kopeny |
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Yet another review: -- Jim |
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