The Frogs

[MikeInManhattan]

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.

[mackro]

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.

[mike_b]

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.

[placeholder]

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.

[fonpr]

Dead show in '75 where the dude from NRBQ was on that one song.

Which dude?