Farkus

Artist Information

Biography

Drummer Dave Durdov entered a Champaign Illinois college party as a stranger when he happened upon Tony Maguire and Brian Gillham jamming together on acoustic guitars. Intrigued by the unfamiliar songs the duo was performing, Durdov had to inquire who they were “covering”. His question remained unanswered until the three were able to regroup in their hometown of Chicago years later to form the beginnings of Farkus. The final piece of the puzzle, Kevin Coyne, was no stranger to the band. However, Maguire and Gillham were unaware that since they last saw Coyne in high school he was busy honing his musical talent by touring Europe as a bass player. Today Farkus has a catalogue of material and have released their first record ‘Thought You Should Know’ to much critical acclaim. Among other gems, the debut album includes includes “Windsor Noose”, the very first Farkus song Durdov heard that night in Champaign.

Instrumentation

Brian Gillham - Guitar
Dave Durdov - Drums
Kevin Coyne - Bass
Tony Maguire - guitar and vocals

Discography

Thought You Should Know
Naked Eye Astronomy

Official Website

http://www.farkusmusic.com

Links

• Facebook
• Twitter

Audio

• Uninvited to Life
  Listen   Download
• This Happens Everyday
  Listen   Download

Lyrics

• Salt
• Bitter Cinderella
• Chance
• Supposed To Be
• New Love and Prescriptions
• Windsor Noose
• This Happens Everyday

Video

Photo Gallery

Press

• Wildy's World Review - 4.5 Stars [+ Show ]
  

  Farkus – Thought You Should Know 2008, Farkus Chicago’s Farkus is a no-nonsense Rock N Roll band...Farkus – Thought You Should Know
  2008, Farkus
  
  Chicago’s Farkus is a no-nonsense Rock N Roll band based in big rock hooks; smart, insightful lyrics and memorable melodies. Vocalist Tony Maguire shows shades of Glen Phillips (Toad The Wet Sprocket) and Gordon Downie (The Tragically Hip). I could tell you that he sounds almost exactly like Dave MacKinnon (Dig Circus, Hummer, The Fembots), but most of you will have no idea of who I’m talking about. Round it all out with a backing band that is powerful, supple and disciplined and you have the potential beginning of a great success story. Farkus’ latest release, Thought You Should Know, draws on the melodic traditions of The Beatles, great pop hooks and an indie/post-punk spirit that is at the heart of modern Rock N Roll.
  
  Chance is the opening gambit on Thought You Should Know, knocking back the listener with big guitars and challenging lyrics. Farkus bears a very strong musical resemblance to The Tragically Hip here, with a big sing along chorus and hooks that will keep you flipping. Farkus makes you think while you dance, an exorcising of mind and body that is genuinely fun to behold. Bitter Cinderella is a stark and hair-raising call to attention of an acquaintance/friend that might hold true for the population at large. While repetitive, the song is powerful and definitely worthy of attention. Supposed To Be comes off sounding like a muscular version of Toad The Wet Sprocket, bolstered by big guitar sounds and a rampant hook that just will not leave the listener alone.
  
  Salt settles firmly into modern guitar rock with a driving beat and superb vocals. Farkus will keep the mosh pit hopping with this tune, but the pop sensibility and big chorus will attract a wider range of fans than your typical punk tune. It's here that we see the true commercial potential of Farkus, and frankly, it's huge. Salt is the sort of song that could land a modern rock band firmly on the map. At the very least the licensing arrangements should keep Farkus comfortable for a while. New Love And Prescriptions is a slightly psychotic sounding slow song that is very interesting but not terribly commercial. This is one of those songs that could become a concert favorite for hard core fans, particularly with Maguires's vocals soaring the way they do. Thought You Should Know ends with Windsor Noose, a compelling song that explores the divide many of us cross at one point or another into adulthood and responsibility. It is the chasm that every performer negotiates either by giving up their dreams or by coming to terms with the tradeoff of chasing dreams and prosperity (for many). It's not a commercial tune, but a fine one.
  
  Farkus shows two very distinct sides on Thought You Should Know. One is the compelling, thoughtful singer-songwriter; the other is the big, arena rock star band with impressive hooks, strong melodies and a sense of pop timing. Both hearts beat within this band, and as they are they will do very well for themselves. Bands like this if they stay together long enough; generally create at least one album that pulls all of this together in a special way. Farkus has the opportunity to be that type of band - one that creates a monumental pop experience that fans talk about for generations. Perhaps I'm dooming by saying it aloud, but somehow I doubt it. My advice to Farkus on that front is to ignore everything I'm saying and then just go out and do it. Don't believe the hype. Be it. Farkus is capable.
  
  Rating: 4.5 Stars (Out of 5)
  
  http://wildysworld.blogspot.com/2009/01/review-farkus-thought-you-should-know.html

• Muzik Reviews - 4 Stars [+ Show ]
  

  In a time where pretentious art-rock bands are hailed like the second-coming of Jesus, it’s always ...In a time where pretentious art-rock bands are hailed like the
  second-coming of Jesus, it’s always nice to hear a band that sheds the
  notions of what’s cool and simply rocks. With their debut EP Thought You Should Know, Chicago’s Farkus delivers a sound that appears to draw on a diverse set of rock influences that will appeal to a wide variety of listeners.
  
  At certain points, Farkus uses the pop-punk sound that Chicago regularly breeds. “Salt” has the repetitive, but enormously catchy guitar hooks that are familiar to bands of the genre. The result is a driving rock
  song that’s universally appealing to rock fans.
  
  However, it would be a mistake to pigeon-hole Farkus as a pop-punk band. “Salt” may have a chorus that gleams with all the markings of the genre, but the song has some clever soloing that adds another level of interest.
  
  Compared to the pop-hooks of “Salt,” other songs on Thought You Should Know sound downright dirty, similar to 90’s grunge. “Chance” and “New Love And Prescriptions” use guitar riffs that may remind you of the likes of Pearl Jam or Alice In Chains. While these tracks sound dark and dirty at times, singer Tony Maguire’s melodic and unique vocals that arrive later in the songs expand the appeal to more than just grunge fans. “New Love And Prescriptions” also has a strong guitar solo that’s
  classic rock and roll.
  
  Later, Farkus delivers a shockingly delicate acoustic track with “Windsor Noose.” Maguire’s voice shines again on the song, complimented by a well-composed guitar melody. If you’re a frequent listener of singer-songwriters, you’ll find the song addictive.
  
  Farkus isn’t afraid to show a diverse sound on Thought You Should Know. While Farkus mixes styles freely, they do a good job of keeping enough of a pop-feel to please any rock fan. The EP successfully proves a band can
  make a highly creative recording, without having to scare away the
  average listener.
  
  
  http://www.muzikreviews.com/reviews.php?ID=471
  

• Awaken Music Review [+ Show ]
  

  Chicago band, FARKUS, delivers a succinct album in their 6 track e.p., Thought You Should Know. Per...Chicago band, FARKUS, delivers a succinct album in their 6 track e.p., Thought You Should Know. Performing as a well-oiled machine, FARKUS drives song after song in their singable alternative/rock sound.
  
  From the school of Seattle, Chance has enough tonal grunge to put a smile on your face. Bitter Cinderella slows down and soothes. But its not too long before they launch you back into the drive of chorus on Supposed to Be.
  
  The overall production value was very professional. Each instrument sounding and complimenting the overall band sound. Perhaps more vocal work could be done on follow-up albums. But all in all, this e.p. does the job!
  
  http://www.awakenmusic.blogspot.com/

• Top 25 Albums of 2008 [+ Show ]
  

  Number Twenty: Farkus - Thought You Should Know Chicago four-some made a bright and surprisingly ex...Number Twenty: Farkus - Thought You Should Know
  Chicago four-some made a bright and surprisingly excellent EP in 2007 and now they return with a fleshed out album, Thought You Should Know. What makes this collection of songs so stunning is the fact that all four musicians do this part time and pooled their money to work with producer Dave Rieley to create an all too short album chock full of razor edged electric guitars, a turbo charged rhythm section and rapt and tender vocals that warrant repeat listens. Tempos surge, guitars storm and the band plays their hearts out on a collection of songs whose music jumps out of its skin. One wonders how many more great songs would be created if this was their full time gig.
  
  http://www.antimusic.com/reviews/08/screendoortop25of08.shtml

• FrostWire - Over 25k Downloads [+ Show ]
  

  Farkus is a Chicago based fresh rock band who’s debut album “Thought You Should Know” is getting rav...Farkus is a Chicago based fresh rock band who’s debut album “Thought You Should Know” is getting rave reviews and already placing on internet top albums lists. After listening to the album, Wildy’s World wrote an exceptionally positive review saying that “Thought You Should Know” draws on the melodic traditions of The Beatles, great pop hooks and an indie/post-punk spirit that is at the heart of modern Rock N Roll. (…) Farkus shows two very distinct sides on Thought You Should Know. One is the compelling, thoughtful singer-songwriter; the other is the big, arena rock star band with impressive hooks, strong melodies and a sense of pop timing. Both hearts beat within this band, and as they are they will do very well for themselves.
  
  Over 25,000 people have downloaded "Thought You Should Know" in less than one week from when it appeared on FrostWire.

• Around Hear [+ Show ]
  

  Farkus sounds like a band well into honing its sound, rather than what it is: a band releasing its f...Farkus sounds like a band well into honing its sound, rather than what it is: a band releasing its first work after reuniting by way of Champaign. Mellow alt-rock dominates the six-song Thought You Should Know. Shoegaze is punctuated by broad strokes of arena guitar outbursts on “Supposed To Be” and “New Love And Prescriptions”; “Windsor Noose” is an acoustic confessional.

Setlist

We have a fairly large catalog of original songs 20+, but we also like to mix in a variety of covers depending on the venue and occasion. Our sets are typically an hour long but we have had sets exceeding 2 hours.

Covers:
No Quarter - Led Zepplin
War Pigs - Black Sabbath
Sober - Tool
YYZ - Rush
The Seeker - The Who
Have a Cigar - Pink Floyd
Cult of Personality - Living Color
State of Love and Trust - Pearl Jam
Creep - Radiohead
Possum Kingdom - Toadies

Basic Requirements

Calendar