FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
 The new Greg Franco's
Rough Church album is called
“The White Dove Of The Desert”
Powertool Records, May 2008. It is a mix of new
and old songs, dating back to 2003.
“White Dove” starts off with the
songs played by the collective known as "Rough Church."
The first track is called "The Book Junkies," A "wake up and
smell the coffee" rocker, punctuated with diamond toned lead guitar
riffs. Franco provides chunky and full bodied rhythms, plus a strong
and locked in vocal.
Lyrically, Franco also sings about longing for a deeper connection
through knowledge. Not only is it a un requited love song, but a shout
out to great works of literature.
Next up is "Oriole," another catchy indie pop rock, by way of
Led Zeppelin. Adeptly it addresses some rough
times Franco had with loss and his own demons. He is sympathetically
eluding to our own. Other songs reflect Greg’s high spirited passions,
such as Baseball, History, and Politics. For instance, he praises
Baseball pitcher Fernando Valenzuela in a song called
"He Threw Kryptonite." A Mexican born sports legend,
Fernando helped heal cultural wounds by being a latin hero in the
"American pastime".
Also, Greg's band Rough Church covers tunes by
songwriters like D. Boon of the Minutemen, Neil Finn,
and Joe Strummer. R.C. elucidates relatively unknown
songs with a certain unique approach, highlighting the lyrics. The
Split
Enz cover called "Message to My Girl" is done
here with a Velvet Underground touch, slowing the tempo down to almost
a heartbeat, and starkly emphasizing the words about maturity and love.
The Minutemen cover "Corona" is played
with acoustic instruments only. It aims to emphasize the Haiku like
lyric written by D. Boon who by many accounts was a
"punk rock genius". Boon asserted that a growing and widening economic
and social gap was occurring in America during the then president
Ronald Reagan's term in the 1980's. Franco reaffirms this notion by
covering the song. He seems to be saying that Boon was a prophet
because the "trickle down" economic policies continue to this day
unabated. The musical interpretation however, is more latin sounding, a
cross between Herb Alpert and Johnny Cash.
Jef Hogan, who joined with Greg and Jon to start
R.C. in 2004 plays on almost all of the tracks. In addition, New
Zealander Daniel Bosher plays swift and hungry
drumming, giving Jon Franco the opportunity to switch
over to play the lead guitarist role.
Thus, the two pronged guitar attack of Jon and Greg is heard on “Thanks
for
the
Pen.” It's angry song , with full tilt “johnny on the
spot” changes and dynamics. It alternates between a jazzy laid back
verses featuring melodica, and vibes, to blistering chorus's full of
Franco's piss and vinegar vocals. It all results in electric guitars,
bass and drums, hurdling into oblivion.
Another track called “Not Pissed Not Hurt” was written by
Franco, he says, “to calm my dark sensibilities about love during a
fallow time”. It could be called California "cow punk". Featured here
is the steady and passionate drumming of Mr. Bosher.
On “You Are a Comet,” Franco sings “it shocked us all when
you faded.” It is a tribute to inspiring, but self-destructive writers
Spading Grey and Elliot Smith.
Some of the songs were recorded just after the tour, in April 2007.
They are presented as raw and live tracks untouched by overdubs. They
were recorded by Bob Frisbee in Auckland. Another
song called "Reg" is a Neil Young meets The
Minutemen inspired indie rocker. It is a song about Greg's
grandfather whom he never met, but Franco says he somehow feels his
presence.
 Also
included are out takes from the 2006 "Wandering Bear"
sessions. On this remix, Bob Scott plays thunderous
bass on "Guarantees." It is a instrumental version, with hip
shaking drumming by Tane Tokona, and slither-y Wah
Wah guitar by David Kilgour. D.K. who also sang a
bit, and played a steady handed tambourine. It has a up tempo sixties
feel, relaxed and layered by David's guitar. It surrounds the listener
with a kind of psychedelic ether. Lastly, there is a acoustic guitars
and harmonica laden instrumental version of "Absolution Song,"
this time the emphasis is on a sojourn of stark natural sound and space.
What a trip it is for us, as it has been for Franco and friends. Greg
Franco's
Rough
Church and Wandering Bear
have taken us on an all encompassing journey. They have collected these
songs at various cities and recording studios in Los Angeles, and New
Zealand. Rough and Wandering? maybe, but somehow it all comes together
sounding more carefully guided than not. It has a natural ending,
landing and resting place by the last track called "Sparks From
The Universe."
"The White Dove Of The Desert," is solidly in the spirit
of indie rocking and mature song writing. It hits "above the mark,"
with completeness and competency.
Greg Franco returns to New Zealand on
May 21st through June 8th to play 20 dates with with Otis
Mace.
He is coming on to bring his "White Dove of the
Desert," solo tour. Mainly he will sing and play acoustic and
electric guitar, plus some electronics. He will also read some of his
short stories. Greg says he reserves the right to employ a band with
bass and drums anytime, if the crowd demands it. Thus on hand to play
will be Andrew Mai Tai, drummer for "Otis
Mace", plus perhaps Otis himself joining in
at the end. Also featured in some towns will be Kedron Parker
on viola, melodica and vocals. "The White Dove" is finally yours.
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