The Refreshments
This offbeat pop-rock group, formed in Tampe, Arizona, USA, created an instant impression with the release of the single "Banditos", in 1996. An apocryphal tale of a journey to Mexico to rob a bank, it featured the comic delivery of singer/guitarist Roger Clyne, backed by a musical soundtrack that was close to prime ZZ Top. As a consequence, Fizzy Fuzzy Big And Buzzy, their Mercury Records debut album, made an instant impact, reaching the Billboard Top 100. The group had come to Mercury's attention via their 1994 independent debut, Wheelie, released on Epiphany Records. Some critics were alarmed at the group's sense of irreverence, but as Clyne told the music press: "I'm of the opinion that there is as much intrinsic value, be it spiritually, mentally or emotionally, in going camping or dancing as there is in reading Nietzsche. So I don't mind being fun in the least." As such, the group were soon bracketed alongside the like-minded Spacehog and Presidents Of The United States Of America as groups willing to write more light-hearted material in the face of post-grunge despondency. Fizzy Fuzzy Big And Buzzy was promoted by tours with the Gin Blossoms, Dishwalla and Seven Mary Three. The Bottle And Fresh Horses was a complete u-turn in terms of attitude and sound, with the band abandoning their "poppy smart-ass self-deprecating humour". Not to be confused with the Anglo/Swedish group of the same name featuring Billy Bremner.
Listen to The Refreshments
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Albums
- (1997) The Bottle & Fresh Horses
- (1996) Fizzy Fuzzy Big & Buzzy
Top Tracks
- Banditos
- Down Together
- Mekong
- Mexico
- Blue Collar Suicide
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