Riverfenix

Riverfenix: G.B.O.H.G.B.O.H. (1996)
Fuzzgun

Reviewer Rating: 3

Contributed by: fatpunkguyfatpunkguy
(others by this writer | submit your own)
Published on June 1st 2010Before they moved to California and had to change their name, Riverfenix rocked out the Houston, TX punk scene with its fast melodic mix of pop-punk and '90s skatepunk sound. This record came out in 1996 and I remember really liking this EP, their debut release from Fuzzgun Records. There is noth.

Before they moved to California and had to change their name, Riverfenix rocked out the Houston, TX punk scene with its fast melodic mix of pop-punk and '90s skatepunk sound. This record came out in 1996 and I remember really liking this EP, their debut release from Fuzzgun Records.

There is nothing complicated about the music these guys play here. It's very simple and straightforward and very catchy. The guitar parts are very simple; the drums are nothing special; the bass is basically inaudible; and the vocals are OK, although they are too low in the mix unless they are doing a harmony. The lyrics are hit or miss, although I think I thought these guys were pretty funny when I was a kid.

The production on this EP is very raw. The mix really does leave a lot to be desired, but back in 1996 it was still pretty expensive for a young band with no money or fanbase to put out a record. In a way, the production helped these guys by giving the sound a sort of edge to it, which is nice especially considering the way over-Pro-Tooled recordings they would put out later on.

Five out of six of these songs were re-recorded, so even if you've only heard the Fenix TX re-release of their self-titled debut, you've already heard most of this EP. If you manage to get your hands on this it's a fun look back at a band who at one time had so much promise.

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Fine Print: The following comments are owned by whoever posted them. We are not respon sible for them in any way. Seriously.

fatpunkguy (June 5, 2010)

Actually we're both wrong only 3 of these songs were on the Fenix TX cd, they took "Skinhead Jessie" off for that re-release. So that's 1/2.

likeaparasite (June 3, 2010)

Much gratitude for all the info on the song. You can e-mail me here ---> likeaparasite@ignmail.com
It's nice to know someone else appreciates the song as much as I do. I've been listening to it and digging it a lot.

hashbrowns (June 3, 2010)

yo likeaparasite. just post an email you dont use too heavily on here and i'll send you the newer fenix tx version and then our cover once we finish it. i dont think the new version is available for downloading anywhere but i'll get you an mp3 of it, it's too good of a song to not have. also, check out this version of the first 45 seconds of it from a show at chain a while ago http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7SfeVy0xXIA , it gave me the chills how well he sings it. i wish he would have recorded it this way or at least have gotten the whole performance on video. anyways, glad i could help.

MN_DrNick (June 2, 2010)

I need me a sandwich.

likeaparasite (June 2, 2010)

Hey man, thanks for the heads up about the other version of the song. I had no idea it existed. I checked it out at the Fenix Tx myspace. You're right, there's some improvement, but it's a trade-off because some of the vocal changes are kind of annoying. Please send me a link when your band covers it. I'd love to hear any version of this song. Listening to it makes me so nostalgic. I was hoping I could P.M. you about this, but I don't see any button for private messages or e-mails here. Bummer.

hashbrowns (June 1, 2010)

Oh and totally agree the lyrics are devastating. The first line in the song summed up my junior year of high school/playing shows and stuff.

hashbrowns (June 1, 2010)

They recorded a new version in 2002 for a drive thru comp. Its almost impossible to find now but the band is streaming the version on their myspace. You can also find that version on youtube. And if you still can't find it, ill email it to you.

Personally, both versions had a bit to be desired. The quality of the original sucked but the melodies were good, and the quality of the remake was great but there were entirely toooo many vocal harmonies. My band is recording a cover in a few weeks just for kicks.

likeaparasite (June 1, 2010)

"I could have called an answering machine with my cell phone in my pocket at one of their shows and got a better sounding recording.

But goddamn obleek is such a good song. A real diamond in the rough."

I agree completely. I really loved that song as a teen. It is one heart wrenching ballad. Its lyrics are still devastating. I just wish they'd recorded a version with good sound quality.

maverick (June 1, 2010)

"Five out of six of these songs were re-recorded, so even if you've only heard the Fenix TX re-release of their self-titled debut, you've already heard two-thirds of this EP."

No, you've heard five-sixths of the EP, not two-thirds.

-Scott.

hashbrowns (June 1, 2010)

This is the worst recording I've ever heard in my life. I could have called an answering machine with my cell phone in my pocket at one of their shows and got a better sounding recording.

But goddamn obleek is such a good song. A real diamond in the rough.