In the age of flannels and distortion pedals – when bands mixed bar chords with a vocal style I can only describe as a bit like someone dislocating their jaw to sing with an exaggerated underbite – Lucy’s Fur Coat emerged. The band gained traction quickly, signed to a label and released its first album, “Jaundice,” in 1994.
The grungy lead single “Treasure Hands,” garnered radio play and led to heavy touring from the band. But like so many things in San Diego that seem like they’re going to blow, Lucy’s Fur Coat sputtered. The band was eventually dropped from their label before reuniting and releasing “How to Survive an Air Crash,” in 1998.
Though Lucy’s Fur Coat never recaptured its original hype, they still retain the patina of “what could have been.” Their semi-frequent shows also still pack a hell of a punch.
Lucy’s Fur Coat, “El Cajon”: Many Lucy’s Fur Coat songs consist of similar building blocks. Chunky, chugging guitar parts, snarling vocals and sing-along choruses. “El Cajon,” though not a reinvention of the band’s sound, at times steps slightly out of that formula. That’s most evident in the reedy, restrained guitar strums that kick off the song and conjure an ominous, off-kilter vibe. By the time the chorus kicks in and the band reverts to its tried and true sound, you remember why they have a tried and true sound to begin with: they’re damn good at it.
Like what you hear? Check out Lucy’s Fur Coat at Belly Up on Saturday, Sept. 7.
Do you have a “Song of the Week” suggestion? Shoot us an email and a sentence or two about why you’ve been bumping this song lately. Friendly reminder: all songs should be by local artists.
