It's been a couple of years since I met this teenage band riding on the cusp of adulthood in the San Francisco Bay area. Making the transition from the carefree days of high school, when beaches, friends and girls were the only things on their minds, into the responsibilities of college where they actually have to focus on their futures, the growth and evolution in Fever Charm's music has been a joy to witness. Recorded primarily at Jingletown Recording Studio in Oakland, Cali., "Still Have You" is the second song release from their upcoming album Sound of Summer, scheduled to be released in mid-to-late-May.
Hailing from their beginnings in the famed Gillman Street punk rock scene in Berkeley, California, this alt rock band's second album reflects a shift from the teenage angst-riddled drama of their youth, to the mellow, groovy indie feel that sits right at home in the college music scene, perhaps inspired by their move from the west coast to attend college in Boston and immerse themselves in east coast culture as they study music at Berklee and Northeastern University.
"The EP definitely has a different sound than anything else we've released. It wasn't so much a conscious decision on our behalf. We just entered our bubble of a sonic stratosphere to write, and these are the sounds that came out. It was very organic," lead vocalist Ari Berl said of the new album. "We want to be making very original, creative, and innovative music. That's what we strived to do, and we hope people will enjoy it."
Though there's no official tour planned, they'll be playing throughout California over the summer, and there may be some east coast dates as well. In the meantime, they've been having fun on a number of collaborations with other artists. "Yianni has been filling in on Bass for Sun & The Moon. JT has been playing with a band called Parasol. Ari & Yianni have been producing music together under the production team name "Naked Yoga" in Boston. We've worked with cool bands like The Black Moons on their debut album, and Dead Poet Society (Weapons EP). Hopefully there will be some other collaborations."
11 Fun Facts About Fever Charm
Ari (A) Berl - Lead Vocals
Theo (T) Quayle - Lead Guitar
Yianni (Y) Anastos-Prastacos- Bass
Jared Tyler (JT) Gagarin - Drums
1. Favorite Color?
A: Blue, Y: Blue, T: Red, JT: Purple
2. Dogs, cats, or something more exotic? "DOGS, we all love dogs."
3. Surfboard, skateboard, snowboard or bike?
A: Surfboard, Y: Skateboard, T: Surfboard, JT: "Snowboard, good thing we live in California, we can do it all!"
4. One Direction or The Wanted (heh)? One Direction!
5. Guiness or Pabst Blue Ribbon? PBR
6. Skater chicks, punk girls or college preps? "Skater and surfer girls are always friendly and cool."
7. Favorite girl band? The She's
8. Favorite finger? Thumb
9. All-time favorite movie?
A: Goodfellas, Y: Austin Powers, T: Superbad, JT: The Artist
10. Any tattoos? No
11. If you could be any superhero, which one would you be and why?
A: Incredible Hulk, Y: Batman, T: The stretchy guy from Fantastic 4, JT: Magneto
They didn't tell me why they picked these particular superheroes, but maybe next time. Fever Charm will be playing a Live 105's BFD 2014 at Shoreline Ampitheatre in Mountain View, Cali. on June 1st. To get info on the new EP and other upcoming shows, you can check out Fever Charm here.