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"40-Lb. Head hopes everyone will savor its 'Savior Self" CD"
Jerry Kishbaugh — Off the Record
Citizens Voice — June 5, 1998
The band's name is as catchy as the title of it's independently released debut CD.
The foursomes moniker conjures images of a mutation, a twisted by-product of a nuclear power plant, or an experiment gone awry. After all, it's not too often that you stumble across a 40-lb Head (unless it's Newt Gingrich).
At any rate, 40-LB. Head's brand-spankin' neww, 11 song CD also has a clever title - it's Savior Self. As if it were fate or kismet (or whatever you want to call it), 40-Lb. Head's CD-release party coincides with band's second anniversary.
The official CD bash will take place next Friday (that's June 12) at Jitterbugs in the Narrows Shopping center, Edwardsville. Actually the shindig will be a double celebration marking the release of Savior Self, as well as the band's birthday. So, get early and often. And, who knows, maybe maybe the nightspot's amiable host, Lyn Carey, will bake a cake for the birthday boys. In keeping with the "head" theme, she also may put otu a spread comprised of heads of lettuce and headcheese. No head shrinkers allowed!
The saga of 40-Lb. Head began what will be two years to the day on Friday, June 12, when the Plymouth-based rock unit played its first official gig. At the time, the quartet was basically a cover band, but as they progressed musically and spititually, the group ventured into original-material land. This ultimately led to the creation and subsequent release of Savior Self, a nice collection of tunes that best can be classified as alternpoprock.
Breaking 40-LB. Head down into 10-Lb. Head units, the band is three parts Egenski and one part Zubritski (as I mentioned in a previous column, the band could have called itself the Four Skis). 40=Lb. Head is the Egenski brothers, bassist/vocalist Brian, vocalist/keyboardist Jason and guitarist/vocalist Steve, and their long time friend drummer Mike Zubritski.
Though 40-Lb. Head is now trodding on "original" turf, the band still dishes out cover tunes it cut its teeth on - music from the 60's to the present. The band covers such classic artists as the Beatles, David Bowie, the Kinks, Talking Heads no relation), the Pretenders, Devo, Blondie and more. On a more modern front, the band offers music from Semisonic, Beck, Everclear, Stone Temple Pilots, Dishwallah and many more.
But, this story is about 40-Lb. Head's all-original album, Savior Self. Before delving into individual tunes, a synopsis is in order. The CD's strong points are harmonics and song structure, with a nod going to some of the lyrics. Savior Self has some rough edges that need to be smoothed out, but remember, this is 40-Lb. Head's first recording adventure.
My particular favorites on the CD are Stick, a heavy romp with multiple lead vocal layering (that sounded pretty impressive, didn't it?) and Faker, an acoustic guitar/keyboard backed ballad that pushes Jason Egenski's vocal out front.
Other strong entries are The Worm & the Toad, which melds early Pink Floyd with a chorus reminiscent of the Beatles - something like the Fab Four meets alternative; Efforts, a nice "effort" with great harmonies and a Collective Soul feel to it; Bad Joke, complete with "Theme from Shaft" guitar riffs and a lot of interesting progression changes, and 1-9-6, a funked up, juicy number laced with hot rhythm guitar.
Actually, 1-9-6 is the pride of writer Jason E., who wrote it as an attack on our number oriented world. "We're just a number. No matter what we in life it comes to a number," he explained.
The CD also includes My Luck on which you can feel the thunder during a psychedelic interlude; She Knows, a song from the book of Bush with Steve E. leading the way on rhythm guitar,and Target Me, a heavy, mind blowing excursion featuring the band playing 40-Lb. Head games.
All and all, Savior Self is a verry, nice first effort, a pleasing little head trip. The band certainly is headed in the right direction and with a little more polish, the boys in 40-Lb. head will some day be able to leave their day jobs.
As for the CD-release party at Jitterbugs next Friday, Jason E. said the band intends to play every song that's on Savior Self. If you want a sneak preview of what's to come next week, 40-Lb. Head will be performing at the Woodlands' happy hour tonight (June 5) and at the San Souci Lounge in Hanover Township tommorrow night (June 6).
Oh, two more items. The Head guys wanted me to tell everyone out there that they are grateful to their friends, family and fans for all the support. Number two: 40-Lb. Head still is the favorite band of John Yudichak, the Democratic canidate for State Represenative in Novmber's election. It appears that Yudichak will have smooth-sailing and hot music as he sets his sights on Harrisburg (this is not a paid political announcement).