Actually, I thought the thing was pretty light. Remember, I was used to the Korean Jimmy Page Special, which I am absolutely certain was filled with a gallon or two of concrete. This baby, which substituted ironwood with oak and 1/8-inch plastic with space-age 1/2-inch plexiglass, was a technological quantum leap for me. In addition, it had an extra little toggle switch on the horn of the Strat-style portion of the body. Apparently it was an in-/out-phase switch. “Cool!” I recall was my reply. I am sure the salesman heard the subtext loud and clear: “What’s an in-/out-phase switch?”

Re: Songs

Incidentally, Fifi did experience something of a international cult following. While I was stationed in Germany at HQ 8th Infantry Division (Mechanized), I befriended several members of the 8th ID Band, and in particular their guitarist, Lombardi from Miami. They rolled over in tears laughing at our work. They, of all people, got the joke. But they all agreed that “We’re a Band” actually had a special “terroire” about it. It grew on them, and eventually, at each of their performances across central Germany, SOMEONE in the band would end the show with “We love our fans.” This continued until at least the time I left Germany two years later.

I have always felt “Afraid of Food” was one of our finest moments. It is truly hideous, but with a punk authenticity that only a handful of real punk bands actually achieved. A total rejection of guitar-wanking “virtuosity” and utterly lacking any sell-out pop sensibility, “Afraid of Food” is a true classic in every sense of the word, except for it never reached the charts, never got played on the radio, and is never actually mentioned by any authority as a song of any consequence.

“Doe”

DIGITAL reverb, and digital was all that mattered in the 80s.

“Dairy”

This has always been one of my absolute least favorite songs, which is a shame because the lyrics were pretty good. This was yet another example of delusional perceptions of our own actual abilities. The idea, I think, is still…not bad; if the Black Crowes did the music, or for that matter, any professional-quality rock band, it would likely have sounded considerably better.