SNAFU

SNAFU”
Independent release

It takes a lot of talent to meld so many genres without sounding distracted or contrived, something SNAFU has in spades judging by the pleasing mix of indie rock, R&B, reggae, punk and pop on their new self-titled album. The Des Moines rock trio of singer/guitarist/pianist Andy Anderson, bassist Brian Corley and drummer Tom Murphy moves effortlessly between styles throughout the album, sometimes within the same song. They open the album with a pair of up-tempo rockers, “I Can See You” and “Shut Up and Play” before settling into the R&B groove of “Dirty Little Secret,” complete with uplifting vocal harmonies. Other highlights include the blue-eyed soul of “Where’d We Go Wrong,” the reggae ditty “Here Comes the Devil” and the heartache ballad “Sinners Prayer.” Amazing how much sound they generate. — Michael Swanger
(SNAFU opens for Harry Bailey’s Transport at the Vaudeville Mews on Tuesday at 10 p.m. $5.)


- Des Moines CityView

The show
SNAFU
SNAFU opened the concert aggressively with their song "Shut Up and
Play," then calmed down with two piano-led tunes.
During the next song, "Where'd We Go Wrong?," Anderson displayed
his mastery of stage performance, learned through years of professional
experience. He directed the crowd - inciting them to applaud at a break -
without appearing to beg for attention.
When the applause did come, it was ample and sincere.
Their next song was an accident. Anderson jokingly played the opening
notes to Marvin Gaye's "Let's Get It On," eliciting cheers from the
crowd.
"You want us to play that song?" Anderson asked.
An overwhelmingly affirmative response led to the band playing a
heavy, squawky rendition of the classic song that was nonetheless
faithful.
Afterward, the band demonstrated what Anderson described as their eclectic mix of styles by performing three songs that featured dramatic changes
in tempo and mood. During set-closer "Charlie," an introspective beginning jumps into a fast, guitar-driven rocker, but the balladry remains.
"We try to link styles through pop and melodic things," Anderson said. - Iowa State University Daily

Scene Scribe

By Michael Swanger michael@dmcityview.com

No mistaking SNAFU's dedication to melodic rock

Remember Queen frontman Freddie Mercury? Or Elton John in his heyday? Andy Anderson, lead singer, songwriter and pianist-guitarist for the Des Moines rock group SNAFU does. He counts them among his musical heroes and hopes his band's new EP — which reflects those influences — helps reignite interest in melodic rock and arena showmanship in Des Moines, not to mention land them a record deal.

"A lot of people my age grew up on Grunge bands or Dave Matthews," says the 26-year-old Anderson who manages annuity funds by day and churns out original music at night. "Melodies went by the wayside. Now you have the Emo thing. People forgot the melody, hook and harmony. I'm from the school of the Beatles and Queen. They taught me everything I know."

Despite their name, it would not be a mishap caused by incompetence if SNAFU helped pump some new lifeblood into the genre. In addition to Anderson, drummer Tom Murphy and bassist John Elwer are also serious students of music who revere showmanship. Anderson studied percussion in school, but by the time he graduated from East High School he had taught himself how to play piano, guitar and bass. He worked as a session player in Nashville for a short period and played with country singer Gretchen Wilson before she hit it big, but confesses he prefers pop, soul and rock to country. Combined with Murphy's drumming, which has a Stewart Copeland-meets-Carter Beauford feel and Elwer's funk- and jazz-inspired bass playing, the trio finds common ground onstage.

"We had a guitar player [Mike Leeds, who left the band last fall], but finding a guitarist who can go from ska, to hard rock, to acoustic is hard to find," Anderson says. "Then there's the issue of gelling with someone. People who are theorized players sometimes can be arrogant. We're not like that. We have fun." Sometimes, perhaps, they have too much fun. Last week, for example, Anderson accidentally broke his piano while using a mike stand to play it. Broken instruments are a rare occurrence — they're not a punk band — but Anderson chocks the incident up to the band's fevered stage presence. [Incidentally, Anderson's new keyboard includes a sampler and sequencing device, which he is considering using to cover the guitar part and fatten the band's sound.]

"A lot of musicians forget the crowd," he says. "We're not a bar band, we put on a fun show. When we start we don't want the crowd to take their eyes off of us." Anderson is hoping SNAFU's new EP, simply titled "EP," will make a splash with record label execs, too. The band is wrapping up production of the independent four-song sampler that includes the catchy original tunes "Charlie," "Shut Up and Play," "Dirty Little Secret" and "Let Your Soul Run Free," and plans to distribute it for free after its release in mid May. The group hopes it will help them land a record deal, but if it doesn't they plan to record a handful of additional tunes to augment the EP and release a full-length album. "We're confident in the music and our abilities and we'll go as far as that takes us with or without a record company," Anderson says. "Our goal is to do music for the rest of our lives because we love it so much."

Speaking of goals, SNAFU also wants to help put Iowa on the map by working with other bands that perform original material to host shows that showcase their unique talents. The band's next gig is May 29 at the Vaudeville Mews.

"My dad said 'If you want to change the world just go out and do it and stop talking about it,'" Anderson says. "We want to lead by example — to show it is possible and that if you work hard enough you can be a big band from Iowa. We're not talking about being the next U2, but to be an entity for a long time."

4/25/2007 10:35:33 AM

- Des Moines CityView

Saint Radar, The Lone Strangers, SNAFU: 8-24-07 - Ames, IA
:: August 26th, 2007 :: 1:33 pm
I’m glad I made it to M-Shop in Ames this Friday for Saint Radar’s CD release
party (the disc is entitled “Spaceman”). Unfortunately, I was a bit late, so I
was only able to catch the last two songs of SNAFU’s opening set. It was
obvious that they had already succeeded in setting a tone of excitement in the
crowd by that time. People were hanging onto every one of the band’s
effortlessly-played notes. I was impressed by how naturally the band’s energy
came to them … and they didn’t even skip a beat when lead vocalist/guitarist
Andy Anderson’s guitar strap unexpectedly came undone mid-chord-stroke.
The Lone Strangers kept the upbeat mood going in stride — they set up
quickly and delved into their part of the show while the SNAFU buzz continued
to ride high. This was the third time I had gotten to see them, and their
melodic power pop (sprinkled with a healthy dose of tasteful lead guitar work)
still doesn’t wear thin. I’m also still baffled as to why they’re not more wellknown
around central Iowa. They’re a tight, professional bunch, and their
sound (don’t forget hooks!) is conducive to a broad audience.
Saint Radar didn’t let the two solid opening sets go to waste. They were
genuinely excited to share their full-length CD release with everyone, and their
warmth washed over a crowd that was ready to bring its celebration to a
culminating crescendo. The band received some great audience participation
via waving arms, sing-alongs and hand claps.
Saint Radar also gave a fun little tribute to its two openers as a thank-you for
sharing the night with them by breaking into a few bars of songs by both
SNAFU and The Lone Strangers, which generated some smiles from the two
bands. They then broke into a fun cover of AC/DC’s “Rock And Roll Ain’t Noise
Pollution” to the delight of the crowd. I think the highlight of their set, and
what has been the other handful of times that I’ve seen the band, is the title
track from its new album. It’s a perfect embodiment of what makes the band
endearing: they’re not trying to be something they’re not. It’s also a great
showcase for lead man Ben Shin’s powerful voice. This “People’s Band” is just
enjoying itself by unapologetically bringing the rock to its fans the only way it
knows how to — and it’s refreshing.
The good will between Saint Radar, SNAFU and the Lone Strangers continued
when SNAFU’s Anderson (who also produced “Spaceman”) joined them on
stage to play the keys on “No News is Good News,” and it peaked at the end of
the show when Saint Radar called on the other two bands to join them for a
tongue-in-cheek rendition of “Can You Feel the Love Tonight.” I felt it, and
certainly appeared that I wasn’t the only one.
As for the CD that was the subject of the entire night’s celebration in the first
place, I’ve only had the chance to listen through it once, but it does a good job
of capturing Saint Radar’s jovial, rugged performances. The title track, as in
the live show, is again a stand-out, but my favorite one to listen to in the
context of a studio-recorded single is “So They Say.” It’s a catchy tune that
builds perfectly into a killer chorus. Send that one on to the radio stations,
boys! In case you didn’t use Saint Radar’s Myspace link above, here’s
another chance. They’ve got a few songs from the new CD up for your
listening pleasure. - Des Moines Register - Juice