ferdinand fox

"Now there are times in live performance where everything clicks the band is on a higher plane - the audience & stage energies just connect to make the whole more than the sum of its parts - when EE & FF were onstage together doing the Radiohead cover it was one of those elusive and magical moments in music, that are so very rare, I am proud to have been a part of this is some small way & sooooooooo lucky." - Spoons Blog

'Have you seen Ferdinand Fox? They are one of the few bands to play The House Cafe to a new audience and have 2 encores requested. They put on one of the most energetic and entertaining live sets that I have ever seen. Musically, they are a party band...a little bit of rock...a little bit of funk...a little jazz and some hip hop and alot of dancing. They also have jumpsuits and that really should count for more nowadays.' - John of The House Cafe
- The House Cafe

The Fox is comprised of four guys (in official Ferdinand Fox attire) just having a lot of fun entertaining and it shows in their performance. Their sound is a great blend of hip-hop and rock, which is tough to do because those types of bands often sound fake and/or canned. I think it was the funk infusion that provided a link between the two that make it enjoyable. They even brought us back to 1992 with some old school rap covers. Some of the groups/individuals they claim influenced them are Dr. Dre, NOFX, Radiohead, and the Beastie Boys. Of those, I think the Beastie Boys shines the most. They share the same combo of talent, flare, and a contagious energy that excites the crowd. I can only imagine how hyped these guys will be on stage at Forecastle! - BackseatSandbar.wordpress.com

"...then these rock/funk/experimental/soul guys in crazy white jump suits who everyone ends up screaming for and coming back for ... (ferdinand fox).. "soltisarts blog.

- SolstisArts

Ferdinand Fox - This Chicago, IL, spent time as street musicians when they weren't playing their set. Dressed in white jumpsuits with the band's logo on the back, the members would perform songs outside their venue before and after their set. They were an energetic and enjoyable band that sounded like a cross between Faith No More and The Gap Band. - The Wheel's Still In Spin

Ferdinand Fox - This Chicago, IL, spent time as street musicians when they weren't playing their set. Dressed in white jumpsuits with the band's logo on the back, the members would perform songs outside their venue before and after their set. They were an energetic and enjoyable band that sounded like a cross between Faith No More and The Gap Band. - The Wheel's Still In Spin

Ferdinand Fox breezes through the Winds Café with sonic sweetness
By David Miller
February 1, 2005
A recent Sunday venture to Logan Square on the city’s north side was well worth the effort. The Winds Café (2657 North Kedzie) hosted local band Ferdinand Fox for an hour and a half of musical entertainment. Everything came together that night for the Fox. An energized audience and band connected, new songs debuted. It was an epic event.

Nick Davio (vocal/keyboard), Rich Clark (guitar), Charles Malave (bass/vocal), Zack Novick (drums), and Van Glover (vocal/auxiliary everything) are an adventurous group. Ferdinand Fox draws from rock, blues, funk, and even bluegrass to create a sound all their own. Their program keeps the audience on tenterhooks, progressing through the show with thick bass lines, seductive ballads, and playful guitar riffs.

With an extensive repertoire of original music and a sense of purpose, the ingenuity of Ferdinand Fox is indeed unique. As Malave explains, “[We] strive to develop. There is no end. I want to attain a better understanding of music, people, and how they relate.”

On January 23, Ferdinand Fox fed off the crowd’s excitement, creating an energy that is uncommon at such shows. When asked about his favorite part of the performance, Malave replied, “Audience response, 100 percent.” The band’s stage presence, combined with the quality of their music, was both entertaining and musically exciting. They played fan favorites like “The Grouch,” “Food Rhyme,” and “Save a Lung,” songs that have nothing in common but their sheer intensity. Each piece elicited an overwhelming crowd reaction.

“We collaborate creatively as friends and ultimately, that’s why we love music,” added Novick, the drummer. The synergy of the group is apparent and, having attended their concerts for quite some time, it is not stretching the truth to say that each show is better than the last.

At the Winds Café that Sunday, Ferdinand Fox introduced some new, more experimental material. Immediately before the debut of “Roboticus,” the members looked at each other and took a collective deep breath, as if to brace themselves. It was the audience who should have braced.

An attempt to characterize their music that night would be obliged to make reference to Tortoise, Queen, and Ravel, even the Beatles and Radiohead. But you can decide for yourself with their debut album A Peppermint Gun that Shoots Rays of Hope, which doesn’t contain their newest material but certainly gives a flavor of the band’s music.

I’m anxious to see where the band’s momentum has taken them since the Winds Café. Their next appearance is on Saturday, February 12 at Big Horse in Wicker Park. The group will play the following Friday, February 18 at Goose Island in Wrigleyville, which is a great place for some good beer and good music. They are also performing a St. Patrick’s Day Event, March 17 at the Elbo Room at Lincoln and Diversey. Music and information about the band can be found at their website, www.ferdinandfox.com. I highly recommend a visit to their website and a trip to see them play on the North Side.
- The independent student newspaper of The University of Chicago

Ferdinand Fox breezes through the Winds Café with sonic sweetness
By David Miller
February 1, 2005
A recent Sunday venture to Logan Square on the city’s north side was well worth the effort. The Winds Café (2657 North Kedzie) hosted local band Ferdinand Fox for an hour and a half of musical entertainment. Everything came together that night for the Fox. An energized audience and band connected, new songs debuted. It was an epic event.

Nick Davio (vocal/keyboard), Rich Clark (guitar), Charles Malave (bass/vocal), Zack Novick (drums), and Van Glover (vocal/auxiliary everything) are an adventurous group. Ferdinand Fox draws from rock, blues, funk, and even bluegrass to create a sound all their own. Their program keeps the audience on tenterhooks, progressing through the show with thick bass lines, seductive ballads, and playful guitar riffs.

With an extensive repertoire of original music and a sense of purpose, the ingenuity of Ferdinand Fox is indeed unique. As Malave explains, “[We] strive to develop. There is no end. I want to attain a better understanding of music, people, and how they relate.”

On January 23, Ferdinand Fox fed off the crowd’s excitement, creating an energy that is uncommon at such shows. When asked about his favorite part of the performance, Malave replied, “Audience response, 100 percent.” The band’s stage presence, combined with the quality of their music, was both entertaining and musically exciting. They played fan favorites like “The Grouch,” “Food Rhyme,” and “Save a Lung,” songs that have nothing in common but their sheer intensity. Each piece elicited an overwhelming crowd reaction.

“We collaborate creatively as friends and ultimately, that’s why we love music,” added Novick, the drummer. The synergy of the group is apparent and, having attended their concerts for quite some time, it is not stretching the truth to say that each show is better than the last.

At the Winds Café that Sunday, Ferdinand Fox introduced some new, more experimental material. Immediately before the debut of “Roboticus,” the members looked at each other and took a collective deep breath, as if to brace themselves. It was the audience who should have braced.

An attempt to characterize their music that night would be obliged to make reference to Tortoise, Queen, and Ravel, even the Beatles and Radiohead. But you can decide for yourself with their debut album A Peppermint Gun that Shoots Rays of Hope, which doesn’t contain their newest material but certainly gives a flavor of the band’s music.

I’m anxious to see where the band’s momentum has taken them since the Winds Café. Their next appearance is on Saturday, February 12 at Big Horse in Wicker Park. The group will play the following Friday, February 18 at Goose Island in Wrigleyville, which is a great place for some good beer and good music. They are also performing a St. Patrick’s Day Event, March 17 at the Elbo Room at Lincoln and Diversey. Music and information about the band can be found at their website, www.ferdinandfox.com. I highly recommend a visit to their website and a trip to see them play on the North Side.
- The independent student newspaper of The University of Chicago

Chicago’s Ferdinand Fox, who will be playing at this week’s Halfway to Forecastle, is also stopping in to play a free house party show on Friday along with The Invaders & DJ Narwhal in Butchertown. I saw Ferdinand Fox at an OVCE event last fall & they put on an amazing show, with each member giving worthy contributions. They play an indie hip hop style clearly influenced by the Beastie Boys without detracting from their own style & it’s incredibly fun to watch. I challenge you not to dance once they are 2-3 songs in… - BackseatSandbar.wordpress.com

Watching Ferdinand Fox play is like watching some tripped out cartoon rock band. At the Metro they were super tight, super animated and super energized. Their lead singer Van even did a back flip off the drum riser. - Emergenza Festival

Chicago’s Ferdinand Fox, who will be playing at this week’s Halfway to Forecastle, is also stopping in to play a free house party show on Friday along with The Invaders & DJ Narwhal in Butchertown. I saw Ferdinand Fox at an OVCE event last fall & they put on an amazing show, with each member giving worthy contributions. They play an indie hip hop style clearly influenced by the Beastie Boys without detracting from their own style & it’s incredibly fun to watch. I challenge you not to dance once they are 2-3 songs in… - BackseatSandbar.wordpress.com