"THE FIREANTS SELF TAUGHT" ---$12.00 -

OC WEEKLY BY RICH KANE SEPT. 1998

 We OD'd a long time ago on whimpie, folkie women (and women led folkie bands) who whine about how awful the world's been treating 'em. Which is why THE FIREANTS rule, maaan. Head belter Skie Bender is a tough chick who could single-handedly kick the ass of everyone on the Lilith Fair Tour, and probably the roadies too. Bender and her band prefer to fight back when someone throws shit at them, cranking out muscular, non-conformist tunes and playing gigs that no one shows up for---in our opinion, the worst kind of pain anyone could suffer. Their music's cool, too, real paranoia inducing, creepy-crawly stuff that made us feel like we were being watched. The seven minute opus "Congratulations," especially has this slow-building ferociousness to it that made us wanna dive under our beds and not come out for weeks. Because of that alone, we'll bump THE FIREANTS up near the top of our growing "Must See Live" list. Sounds Like: Chrissie Hynde, Patti Smith and Kim Gordon sharpen their chain saws and go on a tequila-soaked, blood-splattered, penis-slicin'-n'-dicin spree.

Theconcertguide.com

Jan. 1999 By Joe Brasfield

 Many say the consumer is unwittingly absorbed by mass fashion, resulting in subtle defiance and confusion. In a struggle to express creativity, tension prevails. In this pop-culture context we find the rich art of the Fireants (FA). They intuitvely feel their way through a seeming meaninglessness: "The world in my pocket is ultimately empty(FA). Paradoxical fire-questions oscillate dangerously, seeking. Things aren't always what they seem. And what IS art? Confounding circumstances wrestle with self determination: "You always trap me in the corner/holding me down/I'm in love(FA). "You are near and I am far/do we know who we are?"(FA). THis ia a Fireant sketch. Stephen Dobyns ends insight: 'art gives testimony to what a human being is...a communication of emotion that isn't refered to, it is re-created...and these utmost private feelings are in fact shared feelings...and this offers some relief from our existential isolation. Such is Fireant art to the core. Howard Becker said "pop music provides a kind of solution...to this clash." In our age o! ! f anxiety we find The Fireant Solution: The courage to face the void. But journey is not without risk. Recall Neitzche: 'If thou gaze long into the abyss, the abyss will also gaze into thee." And if you look so hard, might you feel the need to conceal, and don a coping structure, a mythic mask.....? Joseph Cambell noted, "This is not to deny reason. To the contrary, by overcoming the dark passions, the hero symbolizes our ability to control the irrational savage within." FA: "I woke up/I was sick/ I had to face myself/ Is this God's trick?....You're the cancer/ I never liked you/ because I'm like you/ I'm in denial." Through intuitive courage, The Fireants paint emotional truth. Via way of Instru-Mental trance, they engage the imagination. We are reminded that, "The truth will free you." Follow your bliss. "The founding father's pants/ well they split/ at the seam/ but it's never too late/ to sow up your dreams." (FA).