FOT Forum

The Best Show on WFMU => Dear Tom => Topic started by: Christina on August 25, 2010, 12:09:53 PM

Title: The Frogs
Post by: Christina on August 25, 2010, 12:09:53 PM
Dear! Tom!

I've heard about this album It's Only Right and Natural since forever but haven't had a chance to track it down yet.

What do you think of the other albums? I used to have a copy of My Daughter the Broad, which I would play for people when they came over and I wanted to drive them crazy - I would put it on without comment and see how long it took people to notice.
Title: Re: The Frogs
Post by: Omar on August 25, 2010, 12:54:52 PM
The Frogs fronted by Sebastian Bach performing "Lord Grunge" on Oddville, MTV is certainly one of the best things to ever air on the network. 
Title: Re: The Frogs
Post by: cas-vik on August 25, 2010, 01:33:31 PM
The Frogs fronted by Sebastian Bach performing "Lord Grunge" on Oddville, MTV is certainly one of the best things to ever air on the network. 

The Frogs w/ Sebastian Bach - Lord Grunge on MTV's "Oddville" (Rare Unedited Version) (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jRvjZFSqMNc#)

Omar, you forgot to mention Kenan and Kel were there too.
Title: Re: The Frogs
Post by: Omar on August 25, 2010, 01:58:16 PM

Omar, you forgot to mention Kenan and Kel were there too.

Amazing.  If only Suzanne "Underdog" Muldowney was also there that evening.  She was on another installment of Oddville.  She's really odd!
Title: Re: The Frogs
Post by: Omar on August 25, 2010, 08:13:01 PM
I should note that a few weeks after the performance, I discussed it with Mr. Bach via IM.
Title: Re: The Frogs
Post by: Christina on August 25, 2010, 09:22:29 PM
I should note that a few weeks after the performance, I discussed it with Mr. Bach via IM.

Really and for true?
Title: Re: The Frogs
Post by: Omar on August 26, 2010, 12:48:40 AM
I should note that a few weeks after the performance, I discussed it with Mr. Bach via IM.

Really and for true?

Indeed.  I found his AOL e-mail address at the time and added him to my "Buddy List." 
Title: Re: The Frogs
Post by: cas-vik on August 26, 2010, 09:53:57 AM
xBaChx420@aol.com?
Title: Re: The Frogs
Post by: Omar on August 26, 2010, 10:10:45 AM
At the time it was BACHOFFB4.  In recent years, I attempted to restart our corrrespondence via a new e-mail address I discovered, specifically on the topic of his great work as Gil on Gimore girls, but it was not meant to be.
Title: Re: The Frogs
Post by: Joe Rogaine on August 27, 2010, 03:04:03 AM
The Frogs fronted by Sebastian Bach performing "Lord Grunge" on Oddville, MTV is certainly one of the best things to ever air on the network. 

The Frogs w/ Sebastian Bach - Lord Grunge on MTV's "Oddville" (Rare Unedited Version) (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jRvjZFSqMNc#)

Omar, you forgot to mention Kenan and Kel were there too.


Wow i had forgotten all about Odville.


Does anybody know anything about the Meet The Frogs video i dont think it had anything to do with Toy Porno did it?



The Frogs (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BhXkwvHfzBg#)
Title: Re: The Frogs
Post by: mike_b on August 27, 2010, 03:52:34 PM
I was reading this thread right when Tom started talking about It's Only Right and Natural being one of the best albums ever.  So there's that.

I liked the next one, too.
Title: Re: The Frogs
Post by: yesno on August 27, 2010, 04:19:38 PM
Tom likes the Frogs for the right reasons--sure they were funny, but they were also really, really good.
Title: Re: The Frogs
Post by: nicole on September 10, 2010, 03:51:55 PM
I got my copy of It's Only Right and Natural probably 10+ years ago and I still love it just as much as I ever did. Those guys are so talented, and so nuts. First song is a gem. If I were to suggest another record by them it would be the Starjob EP which came out way later (I think it was actually produced by Billy Corgan). Awesome songs. Lord Grunge. Weird on the Avenue. I Only Play for Money.

I was so happy to hear Tom bring up The Frogs. I hope someone finds the Live at CBs tape!!!!!

Title: Re: The Frogs
Post by: Matt on September 13, 2010, 04:23:10 PM
I'm surprised Tom likes the Frogs so much, since he's put down Ween in the past. They seem like pretty similar bands to me - both are duos, both write "explicit" songs about unsavory topics, both exhibit a level of musicianship beyond simple "joke" music, etc. I'm not really a fan of either band, so I have no horse in this race, but what do the Frogs do right that Ween does wrong?
Title: Re: The Frogs
Post by: mackro on September 13, 2010, 11:39:35 PM
Kinda liking both groups but the Frogs far more, I'd say The Frogs throw far more surprises at their listeners than Ween do. Both groups are self-consciously comedic, but Ween's approach is far more transparent and rooted in stoner humor, which has been done many times before them, whereas I don't think anyone knows (besides male things) where The Frogs are rooted and what inspires them.

I've seen Ween twice and The Frogs once, and the Frogs show was far more memorable, whereas I barely remember either Ween show.  I remember The Frogs did an impromptu medley of one of their songs into "Let It Be" and an Elton John song and then "My Goat Died Today."
Title: Re: The Frogs
Post by: MikeInManhattan on October 04, 2010, 06:26:42 PM
I'm surprised Tom likes the Frogs so much, since he's put down Ween in the past. They seem like pretty similar bands to me - both are duos, both write "explicit" songs about unsavory topics, both exhibit a level of musicianship beyond simple "joke" music, etc. I'm not really a fan of either band, so I have no horse in this race, but what do the Frogs do right that Ween does wrong?

I'm a bit surprised on Tom's take on Ween as well partly due to the huge overlap of Ween and GBV/Pollard fans. Personally I think Ween is an inspiring band whose earlier catalog was indeed strange and stonery but still unique and fun. Actually some of their earliest songs while minimalist and bizarre on the original recording are actually some my favorites to hear them play live and fleshed out. I disagree that their sound is transparent and often they are asked in interviews if their music is a joke to which they always seriously reply absolutely not. They just genuinely enjoy playing music, whether it be a bowie-esque psychefreakout, an Irish drinking song, a 70s soul pop number, or a thrash song. I've seen them quite a few times over the past 10 years and always have a blast. Their crowd can be a bit overwhelming at times - thanks to an always present criminal element which is partly due to Phish covering "roses are free" some time ago (a song I also love). Needless to say, the cloud of weed smoke is sometimes so thick you expect it to start lightning but generally the rowdiest people are the first to crash out and nod off in the corner. As for covers I've seen them do "Ohio", "Hot For Teacher," among others and most recently a super impressive "Let's Dance" at Starland and Summerstage this year. Their latest albums are definitely more accessible starting with Chocolate and Cheese but there are a few choice numbers for newbies on the older albums. Also they're all super nice guys.
Title: Re: The Frogs
Post by: mackro on October 04, 2010, 10:34:52 PM
Quote
I'm a bit surprised on Tom's take on Ween as well partly due to the huge overlap of Ween and GBV/Pollard fans.

Maybe this is an east coast thing?  Because the two are mostly opposite on this coast.
Title: Re: The Frogs
Post by: mike_b on October 06, 2010, 11:47:15 AM
Yeah all the hardcore Ween dudes I know are really into jam bands.  I think it's because of all the bootleg-trading.  You get the Ween show where they do the country version of Willie the Pimp, and the guy throws in a Phish '86.  Next thing you know you're pawning your TV to get your hands on the Dead show in '75 where the dude from NRBQ was on that one song.

Be careful, you guys.
Title: Re: The Frogs
Post by: placeholder on October 06, 2010, 12:09:26 PM
Does anybody know anything about the Meet The Frogs video i dont think it had anything to do with Toy Porno did it?

I know that "Meet The Frogs" was on a long-form Smashing Pumpkins video. Not sure if it was filmed for that, but it was my introduction to The Frogs at age 14 or 15.

By the by, is the live alb. Tom mentioned CBGayB? Last I checked, you could still get that one directly from the band.

Saw them live in the basement of a coffee shop in the early 2000s and they were incredible.

Man, I love The Frogs.

I'm baffled that folks would group them with Ween, whose work is uniformly atrocious and unfunny.
Title: Re: The Frogs
Post by: fonpr on October 06, 2010, 12:46:57 PM
Dead show in '75 where the dude from NRBQ was on that one song.

Which dude?