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The Figgs
The members of the band, namely, Mike Gent (guitar, vocals), Pete Donnelly (bass), Pete Hayes (drums), and Guy Lyons (lead guitar) were deeply into power pop and brash punk. They innovatively mixed elements of both and at the same time, always remained fastened together with their unique style.
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Artist Biography - The Figgs
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 ‘The Figgs' was created in Saratoga Springs, NY, in 1987. The group made their official debut with ‘Low-Fi', the 1994 Imago LP, at Society High, but prior to this they had released a 7" and cassettes on the area indie Absolute-a-Go-Go. The EP ‘The Hi-Fi Dropouts' followed this in the same year, which too, like ‘Low-Fi', received strong observations from the critics and the college radio. As a sudden turn of events, they lost Imago's financing and distribution that rendered The Figgs in a severe crisis for the release of their follow-up albums. Notwithstanding, the band managed to rise again through Capitol, who issued the next album ‘Banda Macho' in 1996. However, the band failed to create an impression and gain the confidence of Capitol in spite of extensive touring and promotion. Consequently, Capitol shunned them.
The Figgs got another opportunity to revive themselves when they received a call from Graham Parker, who offered them to play as the backing band for his forthcoming tour, after listening to their version of ‘Passion is no Ordinary World'. The trip generated a live set called ‘The Last Rock n Roll Tour' (Razor and Tie, 1997), which, however, was seen as an excuse by the band to play with one of their heroes. Absolute-a-Go-Go released their LP ‘Couldn't Get High' in the year 1998, which was followed by another EP for Hearbox in 1999. In 2000, with the release of ‘Vinyl-only Rejects' (Philthyrex) and ‘Sucking in Stereo' (Hearbox), a different side of The Figgs' music was highlighted, which was rather appealing and unruly. The group, which till now had an unusual share of label woes, apparently struck fortune with ‘Stereo', which marked their return to the natural rocking form. The 2001 EP ‘Badger' and the 2002 full- length ‘Slow Charm' followed ‘Stereo' from Hearbox. While touring for this album, they had a spell with ex-Replacement Tommy Stinson, who reciprocated to their gesture by featuring in the Figgs' self-released double album ‘Palais' in 2004. In 2006, ‘103 Degrees in June' was released by the label Bloodshot, which was a live album with Figgs' as the backing band for Graham Parker at Chicago's Double Door, meant only for mail orders and downloads. Towards the end of 2006, Figgs released another album ‘Follow Jean Through the Sea'.
Selected Discography
Ginger (cassette) - Absolute A Go Go - 1992
Ready Steady Stoned (cassette) - Absolute A Go Go - 1993
Lo-Fi At Society High (CD/LP) - Imago - 1994
Banda Macho (CD/LP) - Capitol Records - 1996
The Figgs Couldn't Get High (CP/LP) - Absolute A Go Go - 1998
Rejects (LP only) - Philthyrex - 2000
For EP Fans Only (CD EP) - Hearbox - 2000
Sucking In Stereo (CD) - Hearbox - 2000
Badger (CD EP) - Hearbox - 2001
Slow Charm (CD) - Hearbox - 2002
Ready Steady Stoned (CD expanded reissue) - Stomper - 2003
Palais (CD/LP) - Stomper/Sodapop - 2004
Continue To Enjoy The Figgs Vol. 1 (Live recording)(CD) - Stomper - 2005
Follow Jean Through The Sea (CD/LP) - Gern Blandsten - 2006
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For more information , enjoy the official homepage of The Figgs
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