Written by: Mike Dimitriou
Fred Abong, the former member of the influential art-punk band Throwing Muses and Grammy-nominated alt-rock band Belly, put out his Pulsing EP in March.
Pulsing follows 2018’s Homeless EP, and it’s a 6-track offering with a handful of some pretty interesting songs which, though varying from acoustic Americana to crunchy post-rock, all seem to derive from his musical past and are channeled through his unique and singular approach. Abong swings a mighty sonic pendulum here and the results are as fascinating as they are infectious.
Firefly is the leading track and the second track off the EP, and it’s a heartfelt acoustic number that’s heartbreakingly gritty and sonorous.
Prior to being in Throwing Muses and Belly, Abong was active as a drummer and bass player in numerous bands centered on the Newport, RI hardcore punk scene, which gave rise to bands like Vicious Circle and Verbal Assault. Partly because of his DIY sensibility, Abong left the music “business” after the release of Belly’s Star LP in 1992, choosing instead to quietly and independently pursue his own music. In the meantime he has been immersed in academia for the last eight years or so, completing a Ph.D. in Humanities and working as an adjunct professor in the Religious Studies, Philosophy, and English Departments at various universities.
Abong will be touring in June with his former bandmate Kristin Hersh.
JUNE TOUR WITH KRISTIN HERSH:
06/19 Northampton, MA – The Iron Horse
06/20 Somerville, MA – Once Ballroom
06/21 Hamden, CT – Space Ballroom
06/22 New York, NY – Mercury Lounge
06/23 Washington, DC – Union Stage
06/24 Philadelphia, PA – Boots & Saddle
Keep Up With Fred Abong
The Savage Philosopher Fred Abong
