After parting with label Polygram (who failed to promote their first two albums), the members of Fig Dish have been shopping demos under their individual names (apparently, their name is none too popular in the industry), so they may come together again under a different name. One of the primary songwriters, Blake Smith, is currently playing with Nationwide, a new project fronted by former Triple Fast Action leader Wes Kidd, and is shopping around a new project, Caviar (with fellow Fig Disher bassist Mike Willison). Rick Ness' new band is called... Ness. More hooky music due from him...
Glenview quartet Fig Dish is smartly melodic in the Squash Blossom/Veruca Salt mold, and have a good sense of humor, too. Though they're a bit sloppy at times live, their A&M debut That's What Love Songs Often Do -- produced by Lou Giordano (Husker Du) is clean, concise stuff, but didn't get much label support. Their second, Joe Nicolo (Buther Bros.)-recorded When Shove Goes Back To Push (Polydor), which was released in early August 1997, is even better, with bigger riffs and hooks.
Fig Dish made a video for "When Shirts Get Tight" with porn star John Dough and friends. There's no full nudity in the "safe" version, so you could conceivably see it on MTV.
They've spent much of the last year or two touring with fellow Chicagoans Veruca Salt & Local H, as well as Letters to Cleo, Ned's Atomic Dustbin, Sponge, The Rentals, Jewel, and others. During December, they did a number of dates with Juliana Hatfield.
They, of course, have to carry all their own gear, travel in a van, and stay at friends' houses. Members include Rick Ness (guitars and vocals), Blake Smith (Guitars and vocals), Mike Willison (bass & vocals), and drummer Brian Nolan. They recorded "Ordinary World" for an upcoming Duran Duran compilation. They also contributed to a recent Go-Gos tribute album entitled Unsealed. They cite The Slugs and Green as early influences.
For more information, visit their website: http://www.otterco.com/figdish/
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