Dallas Frasca

A HARROWING INJURY LED DALLAS FRASCA TO INDEPENDENCE, AND THEIR PROUDEST WORK

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A death-defying experience has driven Australia’s most determined, tough-touring rock trio, Dallas Frasca to bigger and better things with new EP, Dirt Buzz, due out tomorrow.

On New Year’s Day, a harrowing fall from a remote Northern Territory rockpool ledge set in motion a sequence of events similar to those preceding 2015’s record, Love Army.

As with Love Army, when lead singer Dallas was rushed to a European hospital mid-tour for an emergency appendectomy, Frasca found herself laid up for two unexpected weeks this year, reassessing her life, music and the people she chose to share it with.


“I actually thought I’d broken my back,” said front-woman and band namesake, Dallas Frasca, “But I didn’t, thank fuck. It was just the biggest metaphor for all the stuff I wasn’t paying attention to.”



So what exactly was lacking attention in the life of Melbourne’s stalwarts of rock ‘n’ roll? “All of us made some big decisions with the band and in my life,” she said, “Things linger in our life all the time, whether it’s a business decision or who you’re hanging out with, and you just keep plodding along. And until you make those changes life fucking happens to you.”

Frasca remained aloof about the personal stuff, however the big business decisions include a lineup change, new label announcement and a return to the lo-fi style recording that so aptly reflects the band’s renowned live show.

“Jeff and I have always had rotating members in the band. And touring life is hard for anyone you know. You can get tired as a band,” she said. “Josh is a great friend of ours. Jeff and I were like let’s close that chapter and start a fresh one.”

That new chapter included a surprising departure from Australian record label, Social Family Records, who signed the band in 2015 for the release of Love Army. SFR’s recent acquisition by Golden Robot Entertainment likely offered Dallas Frasca their golden return ticket to independence and control, with the band announcing the release of Dirt Buzz under their own new record label, Spank Betty Records.

Of the band’s bold decisions this year, the new EP speaks volumes. Dallas Frasca’s dedicated fan base will be stoked to hear a return of the rough edges that were polished off for the ARIA charting Love Army.



Dirt Buzz features the hallmark ‘Frascanisms’ – her unwavering whistle, husky vocals, the stomping anthemic beats and Jeff Curran’s riff-mastery that makes you never for a minute question the lack of bass – but, the references to artists-gone-by are entirely missing. It is in this 5-track offering that Dallas Frasca have truly discovered their unique sound.

“Two weeks into pre-production, Jeff was coming up with some of his best riffs, which inspired me,” she said, as did working with a woman producer, Anna Lavity, for the first time, “Bringing that strong female energy really injected the life into the songs as well.”

Scrapping eight months of songwriting, the pair totally re-wrote the record to include ‘Check Bang’, a fuzzy tale inspired by Frasca’s fall and resulting epiphanies; the rocking, freedom-loving lead single ‘Wasting Time’; a driving, chugging anthem in ‘Catch Me When I Fall’; the sexy number leaving nothing to the imagination, ‘Self Lovin’ Is Free’; and ‘Whisper’, a beautiful, tear-jerker about unrequited love born from a long-lost riff Jeff wrote.

In a profound celebration of 10 years together, Dirt Buzz is the perfect marriage of Dallas Frasca’s pop hooks, soul-filled vocals, riff-shredding and general rock ‘n’ roll ratbaggery – a feat Frasca said wasn’t easy, but is undoubtedly their “proudest work to date.”

With Melbourne drummer, Chris Winley (formerly of Mangelwurzel) behind the kit, Dallas Frasca are hitting the road in celebration of Dirt Buzz this October before joining iconic U.S. rock band, Ugly Kid Joe as part of a massive 40-date tour.

DALLAS FRASCA ‘DIRT BUZZ’ AUS TOUR
Presented by 123 Agency + Spank Betty Records

7/10 Sol Bar, Sunshine Coast, QLD
8/10 Woolly Mammoth, Brisbane, QLD
18/11 Jive, Adelaide S.A
19/11 Common Ground Fest, Seymour VIC
25/11 The Loft, Warnambool, VIC
26/11 The Caledonian Hotel, Wonthaggi VIC
1/12 Sooki Lounge, Belgrave, VIC
2/12 Baha’s, Rye, VIC
3/12 Newtown Social Club, Sydney, NSW
9/12 Northcote Social Club, Melbourne, VIC
16/12 Transit Bar, Canberra, ACT
23/12 The Homestead, Hobart, TAS
30/12 The Grand, Mornington, VIC - TONE DEAF

“Sounds like Janis Joplin & Angus Young had a baby and baptised it in Bourbon”. – Rolling Stone - Rolling Stone

Rolling Stone Australia

Watch Dallas Frasca's Wild, Visceral New Video 'Wasting Time'
BY LUCY SHANAHAN | SEPTEMBER 2ND, 2016 9:20:AM EST


Driving through mashed-up yet visceral scenes of everyday living, Dallas Frasca’s new video for "Wasting Time" revels in unwavering chaos and ferocious pleasure, exclusively premiered today via Rolling Stone Australia.

Frontwoman Dallas Frasca's voice slices through the heavy guitars and devastating riffs, bringing a unique energy to their classic Australian pub-rock sound. The video itself is pointedly current, nodding to the '90s grunge inflections that have re-washed through popular culture, but feels timeless in its dexterity and youthful wildness. The lyrics are insightful and direct: "this spirit’s getting stronger from last night’s sin" — their intensity transforming each fleeting moments into a resonant memory that buzzes with electricity.

"Wasting Time" is the first preview from the trio's new EP, Dirt Buzz, due September 16th and available for pre-order now via their official site. Following which, the band will head out on an extensive world tour, travelling across Australia and Europe from October to December, full run of dates here. - Rolling Stone

Returning from their fourth triumphant tour overseas in the past 18 months, Melbourne three-piece riff rockers, Dallas Frasca are set to celebrate their international successes and unleash their explosive new single ‘You Are Beautiful’.

Recorded by New York-based, Australian producer Andy Baldwin (Chrissie Amphlett, The Living End, Bjork) ‘You Are Beautiful’ is a discussion on ‘body image’; how it is portrayed by the media and perceived in society. Dallas’ unapologetic vocals lead the procession in this modern day protest song, with a bold message of awareness and self-acceptance.

The band are about to embark on a huge nationwide tour to see the rest of the year out, be sure to catch them as they roll into your town.



Upcoming Show Dates

Fri 10 Oct Rocktober | Croydon
Thu 30 Oct Prince of Wales | Bunbury
Sat 1 Nov Settlers Tavern | Margaret River
Sun 2 Nov The Odd Fellow | Fremantle
Sat 8 Nov Darwin Railway Club | Darwin
Fri 14 Nov Blues In Barossa | Adelaide
Sat 15 Nov The Loft | Warrnambool
Fri 21 Nov Baha | Rye
Sat 29 Nov T-BAR Festival | Toowoomba
Sun 30 Nov Hotel Brunswick | Brunswick Heads
Fri 5 Dec Golden Vine Hotel | Bendigo
Sat 6 Dec Folk, Rhythm & Life Festival | Eldorado
Fri 12 Dec Yah Yah’s | Melbourne
Sat 13 Dec Solbar | Maroochydore
Thu 18 Dec Transit Bar | Canberra
Fri 19 Dec Brighton Up Bar | Sydney
Sat 20 Dec Wolumla Hotel | Wolumla
Wed 31 Dec Rock Central Redcliffe | Brisbane

For tickets and info visit www.dallasfrasca.com - TONE DEAF

Next, in pure Dallas Frasca style, the three piece band blew off any cobwebs that may have been forming on the audience who were lazing on the grass enjoying the sun. Playing their brand of rocked up blues accompanied by the voice of a rock goddess, Dallas Frasca were loud, fun, in your face and making no apologies for that.

Bonjah hit the main stage with smooth grooves and husky vocals. Interacting easily with crowd, their set built in intensity, displaying some impressive guitar soloing later in the set. At one point the microphone was passed to Dallas Frasca, who was enjoying the festival from front of stage. Frasca’s improvised vocals reminded us that she has one of the best rock voices in the business. - GLAM ADELAIDE

Dallas Frasca
October 12th 2012 @ Prince Bandroom
Reviewed by Frances Vinall on 15 October 2012


Anyone who thinks rock ‘n’ roll is dead needs to go and spend some time with Dallas Frasca.

The strawberry-haired singer-songwriter brought an explosively likeable set to the Prince Bandroom on Friday night. Dirty guitars and pounding drums laid the framework for a part-blues, part-punk blitzkrieg, powered by her volcanic energy and shockingly good voice.

A mix of melodic precision and primal scream, those vocal chords produce sounds you wouldn’t think human, if not so obviously pouring out from the force of nature that is the frontwoman commanding the stage.

At times reaching glass-breaking heights, and at others dropping into a growl so menacing Ozzy Osbourne would be proud, Frasca has to be heard to be believed.

The hard rock theme of the night was established with the openers, El Moth, Black Devil Yard Boss, and then finally, the Ben Smith Band. Smoothly professional, they laid down a performance of good old fashioned, guitar-driven music with a bit of sax thrown in for good measure.

The crowd (including, I’m pretty sure, Paul Robinson from Neighbours) trickled in during their set, and by the time Frasca was ready to go, the place was just about full.

When Frasca herself took to the stage, opening her set by – something you really don’t see enough of – aggressively banging on a cowbell, before literally throwing it away and switching to guitar. Behind her bobbed the lead guitarist, complete with pointy devil’s beard, and a drummer who appeared to be the human version of The Muppets’ Animal.

The sheer force of Frasca threatened to detract attention from these two – which would be unfair. There was some serious shredding chops on display here, while the drummer was not only beat-perfect, but had the best series of drumming faces you’ll ever see, making for great entertainment in his own right (he also didn’t feel the need for shoes – rock).

Together, they made a cohesive unit who knew how to put on a good show. There were few fancy tricks on display here – save the moment Frasca floated into the crowd lying on her back on an inflatable paddling pool, total trust placed in the fans holding her up, and the brief period of time a man dressed as a crudely-made red heart, identical to the one in the ‘All My Love’ film clip, joined the band on stage.

Besides that though, the music was more than enough to keep the crowd happy. At one point we were told it was the singer’s father’s birthday, and the obligatory round of ‘Happy Birthday’ was shouted at the unidentified man, presumably in the audience.

It’s easy to imagine that watching his daughter, clearly beloved to her fans, tearing up the stage would be as good a birthday present as he could ask for. - Dallas Frasa on TONE DEAF

ROCK

Dallas Frasca

Sound Painter

(Spank Betty Records)

***

DON'T be fooled by the arty title. This rocks harder than a cat's head and tougher than Chinese arithmetic. So named for its lead singer, Melbourne power trio Dallas Frasca has delivered the bastard heir to AC/DC, Led Zeppelin and Black Sabbath with their second album, recorded live and largely unadorned in a New York studio. It's all blues-based rifferama, propulsive rhythms and don't-mess-with-me rock-chick vocal attack until track five, where the pace eases slightly via the hippy, trippy Birds of Wisdom. Then it's back to full throttle, barely pausing for breath apart from the album's two big ballads, Freedom and the closing Ain't No Fury (like a woman scorned). When that woman's as fierce as Frasca, no one's about to argue. But the indisputable highlights here are the full-tilt rockers: opening track (and first single) All My Love, One Man Woman, Going Back Row and Anything Left to Wonder.

Phil Stafford - Courier Mail, Brisbane

Dallas Frasca has an enviable voice: it’s mature and soulful while still possessing the youthful verve needed for this cracker of a first single from upcoming album Sound Painter. (Frasca, along with Jeff Curran and Pete McDonald, play under the name ‘Dallas Frasca’.)

Full of surprises, this first single from their second album is lively but with an edge that makes you want to throw stuff and jump around (in a good way). That may have something to do with their recording style: live takes, 1960s mics for vocals and no click tracks gives “All My Love” an authenticity that no amount of software can achieve.

The music video is similarly rough-but-awesome, filmed with an iPhone and set in the streets of Melbourne and New York. If the rest of their new album is anywhere as good as this track, they’ve done well.

- Sharona Lin - Tone Deaf

Sound Painter packs a more rockier punch to it, so I'm going to go with a slab of beer for this album. Heavy and full of carbs! - AMN

"A battering, bruising, brilliant performance from one of Australia’s most commanding artists." - 13NOTES

…"an array of vibrant, brash and brilliant sounds that make ‘Sound Painter’ a true diamond in the rough" - 59th SOUND

"...all her hard work and sacrifice is going to pay off. " Australian Musician Network - Australian Musician Network

"….hugely energetic and entertaining record" - JOSH DONELLAN - Rave Magazine - Rave Magazine

Dallas Frasca is one of Australia's greatest and most obscure singers”... - Dolly Dagger