Fick

Fick just released Loss of Halo and held a CD release party at Double Down Live Friday night.

Janna Pelle and the Half Steps opened the show with a short set of funky pop. Praything was next. They veered more toward the lo-fi noise-rock territory, but were clearly enjoying themselves, and I enjoyed my introduction to them. Band leader Ju Kovacevich was very engaging with the crowd and even brought three fans onstage to do backing vocals (his description—it was more like an excuse to bring some friends onstage).

Morningbell played next and definitely got the crowd grooving. They put on a good show, with bassist Eric Atria controlling a personal light show (and how many other local bands have their own lights?). Guitarist/singer Travis Atria was decked out in a full white suit for the show like a ghost from some band playing Don Kirchner’s Rock Concert in the ’70s. They ended their set with an epic version of Prince’s “Purple Rain.

But it was Fick’s CD release show, and they played last with a set that featured songs from Loss of Halo, plus older, more familiar songs. The music was the familiar progressive-rock sounds they utilize, sometimes augmented with violin. Kyle Fick mostly played guitar, and sometimes switched to keyboards, but it was always intricate chords and riffs to create a sound that was a cross between Marillion and Incubus.

Fick CDs were free at the show, though donations were welcome. Morningbell sold their latest music on limited edition thumb-drives. Catching it live at venues around town is the best way, though. Don’t worry if you missed this Fick show—the band will also be at 1982 this Saturday with five other bands.
- Insite Magazine

Fick’s newly released EP, Loss of Halo, the follow-
up to the EP Supershock from earlier this year, is a
sequel that is probably musically superior to its predecessor.
Although the lyrical theme is the same—the plight of the modern day proletariat who is a slave of the corporation nation-state because of their penchant for “buying into all that gleams” and their inability to think critically beyond being an obedient worker for the machine—the band sounds tighter, probably because they’re able to play together a little longer in this incarnation.... - Insite Magazine

Local band Fick has been out of commission for a few years, but Thursday March 10 at 1982 Bar, the band will bring back their self-described “epic, progressive rock” that captivates and inspires listeners. The show will also feature local band Far Away Planes and Jacksonville’s The Picture Show.
- Insite Magazine

Living in a punk- and hipster-driven town, there’s no shortage of local punk or “experimental” bands. In between those popular local genres, discovering serious progressive rock is a rarity. FICK fills that gap. They are a guitar-heavy, post-grunge rock band with metal influences; they have that epic “the word is ending in a cascade of heavy guitar riffs” sound. On the six-track release, soft violin ballads introduce their hefty progressive rock, while eerie minor piano chords weave throughout. Their dark lyrics match their heavy melodies covering alcohol, restlessness, God, and nightmares.
- For the Record - Spring 2011

Fick, a band based in Gainesville, will be performing live at 1982 on Saturday, April 2. This concert will coincide with the release of the band’s new album, entitled “Futureshock.”

Fick is a progressive rock band whose influences include Soundgarden, Mars Volta, Led Zeppelin, Smashing Pumpkins, Muse. The band’s members are Dan Sutphin on vocals, Kyle Fick on guitar, Kellen Chestnutt on drums and K.D. McClellan on bass.

Fick’s mission statement is: “We want to prove ourselves with every song and effort. It is our goal and motivation to create big, loud, yet intricate music that captivates and inspires listeners the way music has done so for us. In these modern times with so much technology available, we want to take a step back and create music that requires more than someone just pressing buttons on a computer. We want to make music that captures the levity and epic sensibility of great in-your-face rock and roll.”

After listening to a few of the band’s songs, it is easy to tell that they are sticking to this mission. Each song has a focus on genuine instrumentals, a rare feature in much of today’s music.

The album’s title track, “Futureshock,” holds true to Fick’s style. It is very guitar-heavy rock and tends toward the style of a well-rounded hard rock song. My personal favorite song, “Daybreak,” is among the band’s more mellow pieces. It has a slow instrumental intro that leads to some powerful (yet still masterfully haunting) vocals.

Fick’s show at 1982, located at 919 West University Avenue in Gainesville, will also feature performances by Eight Track Automatic, Far Away Planes and Black Box Jungle.

Fick is definitely a great local band worth checking out for its authentic style and powerful music. Tickets to Saturday’s concert at 1982 will cost $6 for guests 21 and up and $8 for those under 21. - Gainesvilleactivities.com