Music
The best kept secret in music
Press
For whatever reason, Boston has always maintained a soft spot for that guilty rock pleasure known as power pop. It could be argued that the Cars started this, but one way or another the Hub has always embraced a sweet melody bolstered by a swaggering guitar riff. Favorite Atomic Hero find themselves in the enviable position of being the next earnest but enthusiastic band to potentially make the jump beyond local hero status.
On their 2002 release Who Will Save You Now? (Lonesome Recordings), producer Ducky Carlisle nailed the band's buoyant and bouncy sensibilities, but it is on stage that they win hearts and minds. With racing guitar aggression that manages to nestle somewhere between local associates Cave-In and Piebald, and more hooks than a tuna boat, Favorite Atomic Hero have been steadily building a fan base throughout the Northeast. Singer/guitarist David Age's natural stage charisma meshes with his bandmates contagious zeal, and the result can grab the eyes and inspire the ears. The catchy local radio hit "We Said" seems to have brought new fans to the table in much the same way that shows supporting the likes of the Mighty Mighty Bosstones, the Riddlin' Kids, and Superdrag have.
Ultimately, though, the secret superpower of Favorite Atomic Hero may be their attitude. Rather than bitching after an upset loss in this year's Rumble, the band instead thanked fans for inspiring "some of the best sets of our career." That kind of grin-and-bear it perserverance should serve them well as they stake out their own claim in the realm of pop with power.
- Tom Kielty
Wielding confident, melodic guitar rock with the proficiency of tested veterans many times their senior, Boston's Favorite Atomic Hero hit the ground running on this relentlessly intoxicating LP, which stunningly enough is only their second album. They proudly display their influences on their sleeves - Doughboys, Superdrag, Hey Mercedes, and even Face To Face. With the exception of the Moog-enhanced "Rocket" and "We Said," they don't stray far from this territory, but with virtually every track being a standout, I'm all for Favorite Atomic Hero staying put. - Neal Agneta
With a guitar attack reminiscent of Foo Fighters and Cheap Trick, this fiery Boston foursome purees alternative and pop with discipline and determination. FAH respect their elders (note the Cars-like Moog riffs) and embrace the new (they're young!). De facto leader, producer and tunesmith David Age writes of love, loss and longing without caving in to sentimentality, and his band mates X, Hollis, and Johnny Hunt ply their craft with sonic sovereignty. There are plenty of hit singles in waiting to choose from, though "Bleed," with a hook that just won't quit, is the obvious choice. For those who continue to rock, we salute you. - Tom Semioli
Discography
Who Will Save You Now? (Lonesome Recordings, 2002)
Favorite Atomic Hero’s brand-new full-length CD. Contains 12 tracks recorded with Grammy Award-nominated producer Ducky Carlisle (Bleu, The
Shelia Divine) at Room 9 From Outer Space in Boston. For more info, visit www.lonesomerecordings.com.
The Great Rock ‘n’ Roll Swindle (OBEY/Fork In Hand, 2002)
Favorite Atomic Hero is included on this comp which features artwork from Shepard Fairey of OBEY GIANT. Includes tracks from The Hives, The
International Noise Conspiracy, The Bouncing Souls, Modest Mouse, Jello Biafra, Big D and the Kids Table, Avoid One Thing, The Suicide Machines,
The Icarus Line and many more. For more info, visit www.obeygaint.com.
A Punk Tribute to Weezer (Cleopatra Records, 2002)
Favorite Atomic Hero performs Weezer’s “Getchoo” on this brand new comp from Cleopatra Records. Includes tracks from The Vibrators, Angry
Somoans, Sidekick, Flipper, The Billionaires, Latterday Saints, Monkey Pirates, Fizzy Bangers, The Skulls, xDxIx, The Targets and Dr. Know. For
more info, visit www.cleorecs.com.
Timebomb (MP3.com, 2000)
Favorite Atomic Hero’s debut full-length CD on MP3.com’s in-house label. Sold over 2,000 copies worldwide, has been directly downloaded over 40,000 times and featured the single “California” which remained #1 on the MP3.com
power-pop chart for over twenty weeks.
Photos
Feeling a bit camera shy
Bio
What happened to the music? Where did the melody go? What happened to the ability to combine aggressive songwriting and bubble gum hooks? What dastardly villain is to blame? unfortunately, there are far too many to list. Fortunately, there are saviors among us. They are four young men hailing from Boston, MA, collectively known as Favorite Atomic Hero. Playing catchy, hook-laden, powerful rock 'n' roll in the vein of The Foo Fighters, Jimmy Eat World and American Hi-Fi,
Favorite Atomic Hero may just save the day. On December 10, 2002, Lonesome Recordings released Who Will Save You Now?, produced by Grammy Award-nominated producer, Ducky Carlisle (Bleu, Damone, Wheat, Sheila Divine). The new CD has gained considerable attention by both college radio and the press. It debuted in January on the CMJ Top 200 at #108, being the number 6 most added CD to college radio in it's debut week and peaking 5 weeks later at #74. Boston Phoenix writer Carly Carioli has stated that the new CD is
"searing slab of radio-ready modern rock, with the same ratio of full-bodied power-chord punch to smart, anthemic pop that propelled Jimmy Eat World to TRL status." The band has been honored by being included in the 25th Annual WBCN Rock 'n' Rumble. In the last year, they've shared the stage with the likes of The Mighty Mighty Bosstones, Superdrag, the Kickovers, Avoid One Thing and
The Riddlin' Kids. The band has been lending tracks off the new CD to a large number of compilations.
Favorite Atomic Hero has the honor of being included on the OBEY/Shepard Fairey compilation The Giant Rock 'n' Roll Swindle along with the Bouncing Souls, the Hives, International Noise Conspiracy and more. The band recently had a
track released on a brand new Weezer tribute CD on Cleopatra Records. They also had a song featured on the MTV series, Undressed.
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