I was browsing YouTube today, for once the algorithm came through and suggested that I listen to some music that was released on February 9th, 2018. It was Fu Manchu’s 12th album, Clone of the Universe. My jaw dropped, how on earth did I miss the fact that Fu Manchu was coming out with a new album this year?!?! I must really suck, YouTube knew something was missing from my life and gave me the new Fu Manchu album. With full confidence that this new album was going to be epic, I immediately cranked the volume to 11. In the very first seconds of this gorgeous album, I was transported back in time to the 90’s, where chunky, groovy, warm and funky guitar licks poured out of the speakers of my rusted Thunderbird.
(My car was like this one, except covered in rust and heavily sprayed with vagina repellent.)
Fu Manchu started out as a hardcore punk band back in the 80’s, but by 1994 they became a musical force as pioneers in the Stoner Rock genre. When I began high school in 1996, Fu Manchu could be found in any CD carrying case next to the Melvins, Tool, and White Zombie. Back here in 2018, Fu Manchu is still able to capture the essence of their stoner rock rebirth, and it’s amazing. Nothing today sounds like Fu Manchu.
(And like me, they still dress like they are in the 90’s)
Fu Manchu has had a couple of line-up changes since its inception, but the constant in the band has always been Scott Hill and his guitar philosophy which I feel set him apart from anyone else from that era. I think Hill has the rare ability to experiment with his music but still sound like himself. The rest of the band is comprised of long time members such as Brad Davis on bass, Bob Balch on guitar, and Scott Reader on drums. This has been the roster since 2002 and I’m super excited to see all of them back again ripping it up.
Enough talk, Fu Manchu has a new album, and you are going to buy it. See them on tour, too!
