FROG HOLLER

Frog Holler 2006 Josh Sceurman, Mike Lavdanski, Darren Schlappich, Todd Bartolo, John Kilgore, Daniel Bower photo credit: Jen Lindsay

IT'S A CRACKER! FROG HOLLER Haywire That warm ‘n’ fuzzy feeling for Frog Holler around here has just been officially upgraded to hot ‘n’ fiery with the arrival of Haywire. Darren Schlappich leads this Pennsylvanian group with an amiable tone and lyrical smarts that’ll both wend their way into your head and heart. With your complete approval of course. The band manages to sound both natural and clever through this melody-wise collection of twangy alt. country-pop, roots-rock and folksy acoustic tunes. Twisting on minor with a smoldering sonic edge, Haywire was produced by Brian McTear (The Bigger Lovers, matt pond PA, The Trouble With Sweeney). Along with engineer and co-producer Amy Morrissey (Marissa Nadler), McTear captures the band from one sublime moment to the next, one notable (of many) is the punchy roots-rock gem “Sight Unseen” with its irresistible mantra at the end, “If I told you sight unseen the future’s bright would you believe me?” The answer is undoubtedly yes!! Through four LPs and an EP, the band has proved to be infallible, and Haywire, despite its title, is in perfectly good working order. – Robinson, Miles Of Music (ZoBird) More Info + Sound Clips CD $13.99 FROG HOLLER The High, High`s & The Low, Low`s EP On this mini album, Frog Holler`s Darren Schlappich runs the Pennsylvania sextet through 7 tunes that strip away some of the polish of their last terrific full-length, Railings, and push the sonic fold a tad. Maintaining their beloved roots-rock/county sound, they kick off with the slow-grinding "Berks County Boy", perhaps offering more crunchy electric guitar than usual. That`s a good thing. "Off Course Walking" and other strong tunes follow suit. Track Listing: Berks County Boy/Sleepy Eyes/Off Course Walking/Supposed To Be Livin/Glitter/Ask Him Why/Million Things Good (ZoBird Records) More Info + Sound Clips CD $10.49 FROG HOLLER Railings Frog Holler`s fourth release reveals a band that has raised their studio production craft up over their previous efforts without sacrificing their essence. Retaining the balance between rural acoustic twang and electrified, lazy insurgent-country, this Philadelphia-based band, led by Darren Schlappich, have put a subtle sheen on every song. With producer Edan Cohan at the helm, they find tasteful ways to highlight the personal nature of each track - be it the ennui filled acoustic tune "Suit & Tie", lightly enhanced with mellotron and Dobro, or the slow swaying waltz of "Glory", whose bitterness and defeat filled lyrics are heightened by smoldering guitars and sweeping lap-steel. Schlappich has an appealing drawl that is unhurried and natural - sympathy-inspiring, yet appealing in its vulnerability. -- Robinson, Miles Of Music (Record Cellar) More Info + Sound Clips CD $12.99 FROG HOLLER Adams Hotel Road More Info CD $12.49 FROG HOLLER Couldn`t Get Along More Info CD $12.49 The MoM 5: Five Albums That Darren Schlappich is Currently Digging 1. Tandy - Did You Think I Was Gone? 2. The Mendoza Line – Full of Light and Full of Fire (Misra) 3. Mazarin – We’re Already There (I And Ear Records) 4. Rogue Wave – Out of the Shadow (Sub Pop) 5. Bitter Bitter Weeks – Bitter Bitter Weeks

The M.o.M. Q & A With Darren Schlappich Describe the moment in which music changed your life? Just that my mom always bought and played records when I was growing up and there was an importance put on listening to music. I wish I wrote this song, and why? Oh, there’s just too many to mention. If I could have been at any concert in history, what would it have been, and why? Janet Jackson, Super Bowl half time performance, because it changed the world. What have you blatantly stolen and incorporated into your songwriting or performance? Everything. With a gun to your head, describe your music. I’d rather die. One thing I hate about the music business is: It’s not so much the business as the industry. Who is the artist your parents or older sibling listened to that you swore you would never like but have come to appreciate? My brother was pretty hip and I listened to what he was listening to. We owned Gang of Four Entertainment in 1979. Know what I’m sayin? What song could you never cover because it's just too damn good and you'd be afraid to ruin it? Beatles songs are hard to cover. What's one creature comfort you crave while on the road? 600 thread count sheets. I can die after I've met: My quota. What's your favorite poison? Ivy. The best way to ride out a hangover? Scratch it open and pour hot water on it. If you were a Simpsons character, which one would you be, any why? Ashlee. She’s just worked so hard and for so long. It’s inspiring what she’s been able to accomplish virtually on her own. Rate these bands best to worst: Journey, Styx, Foreigner, Kansas. Explain your reasoning. I’ve got three words for you, Lovin, Touchin, Squeezin: Those other bands don’t even belong in the same breath as Journey. You've become king/Queen of the world, what's your first move? To a nicer house.