Green Green Grass

October 6, 1998

Julia Gordon
The Riverfront Times

Their original vocals lie somewhere between Neil Young and Oasis on the audio spectrum, with catchy choruses and the occasional Teenage-Fanclub-ish harmony. Anger is interspersed with sweet sad ballads and a familiar, freewheeling mood. Fern's not afraid to hint at a straight-up rock sound, perhaps because they spare us the squealing vocals, big hair and Eddie Van Halen leads that usually accompany a strong drumbeat and driving rhythm. This young quartet, who range in age from 18-23 years, sprouted out of Springfield, MO., in the wake of their contemporaries, Flick. A new hybrid of indie and Britpop, Fern is ready and waiting to bloom wherever they're planted. Their refreshing attitude - which no doubt stems from their fresh-faced demeano - paints even the most horrifying musical experiences with a sense of optimism.

"One of the worst experiences was when we played Arkansas," reflects bass player Brian Snadon, "A Vietnam Vet war-memorial kind of thing. The stage was a bunch of picnic tables put together. Did I mention it was Arkansas? It was such an odd feeling, because there was a whole lot of people there, but they were like 50 feet back.ÊThey wouldn't clap - it was weird.ÊThat was a really bad experience.Ê But some good came out of it: We realized that we still have fun, and we all get along.Ê The show was bad, but we still had fun.Ê Even our worst experiences, we still have a good time and laugh about it later."

So, what was the best experience Fern has had as a band? "I'd have to say the worst was the best," Snadon continues. "We've played for a bunch of labels; we've done a lot of showcases. People tell us we're gonna be signed, everything's going great, and then - nothing happens. But that just makes it more important for us to work harder. There's no trial we can't get through as a band together.Ê We made it through that; we can take this think anywhere!"

Three major labels wanting to see what these boys could do in the studio with a professional mix, recently kicked in to give the band a proper demo tape.Ê Fern scored producer Ted Nicely (Girls Against Boys, among others) and just completed an impressive three-song collection that ought to have the majors beating at their door.Ê The young group also has a two-year-old , independently releases EP, as well as a full-length, independently released CD, Monologue (which will include the three Nicely-produced tracks), due out early next year.

"Monologue is not as green as our first recording," says backup vocalist/guitarist Brian Pierson.Ê "It's important to have the live sound where you feel the vocals, where maybe they might kind of crack, you know? That's a special thing you can really feel what the singer's doing.Ê I think this record is going to be more felt."

Says lead singer/rhythm guitarist Jason Gaylor, "We haven't given much thought to radio at all.Ê Right now, that wouldn't even make sense.Ê Our focus right now is building a fan base and networking, creating a foundation for Fern.Ê And I think we're starting to.Ê We're definitely having a good time, which, of course, is all that really matters.Ê St. Louis, watch out!" Fern performs at the Tap Room at midnight on Thursday, Oct.8.