For the Record
The raw power and subtle grace of the band's music were captured live on tape at a local Hollywood recording studio that would culminate into this album apropriately entitled - "Full Contact Poetry."
What had initially started out as an "impossible endeavor," to quote the original engineer of the sessions, of recording these ten songs in two days was accomplished with the help of the engineer and Duff sharing the duties at the console.
This body of work, mistakes and all, showcases the melodic and lyrical skills of Duff, and the soaring lead guitar work of Fedak. From the runaway tribal groove of "Jump In" measuring 9.8 on the Richter scale to the subtle after shock of "Dinner Music For The Criminally Insane" to the bitter sweet melody of "Hold Me Tight," the band managed to capture the essense of what had begun as a passionate experiment and ended up performing as a band in and around the Los Angeles area club scene.
The band members, though working in other musical projects simultaneously formed what was to become Guinea Pig, as a vehicle to express themselves outside of the confines of what they had been working on in previous projects. Combining all of their favorite elements of 70's classic rock, 80's Metal and driving 90's Funk the band was to become a melting pot of hard rock, blues, and funk with seamless tempo and time signature changes.
And just like all of your favorite 70's records this one too should be labeled:
"MADE TO BE PLAYED LOUD"
The Band
The band consists of:
Michael Duff - Vocals
Bryan Corbett - Bass
Jeff Fedak - Guitar & Piano
Robbie - Drums
Michael Duff - from Los Angeles (originally from Massachusetts). He was the lead singer/songwriter of the Crtically Acclaimed Alternative Rock Bank "Chalk FarM." Click here to learn more about them. He got together with Bryan and Jeff to write some songs and 'see what comes out of it.' "It got cooler and cooler as we went," said Michael. "When we got together with Robbie and started really working some of these raw ideas out, we said, now this is Rock. It was great for me because this is the first time I am not singing AND playing - I'm just singing. It's a different viewpoint than I'm used to and I dig it."
Bryan Corbett - from Los Angeles (originally form Ohio). He is the rhythm guitarist and main collaborator of Warner/Giant recording artist Debby Holiday. "We had some downtime while our label tried to select a producer for Debby and Michael was available," states Bryan. "Remember when Rock was raw? That's what we wanted to do - make some raw and powerful, in-your-face music. Then Michael came in with these lyrics and it was like, man, Full-Contact Poetry!"
Jeff Fedak - from Los Angeles, CA (orginally from Anaheim). He is the lead-guitarist for Debby Holiday and also a musical collaborator. "Jeff is a better guitarist than he'll ever admit," says Michael. "When we were arranging the songs there wasn't ever a question if he would shred or not, so he finally got to play the way I think most guitarists want to play - madly, and without the 'radio' restraints. Only he does it better than just about anyone I know!"
Bryan adds, "he plays with such passion and he's so fucking fast, it's almost a crime."
Jeff just smiles and grabs a beer when cornered about his playing ability. "Some guys just have it," says Michael "Jeff's one of those rare birds. Man, is that corny or what? - Jeff just kicks ass!! Just listen, you'll see."
Robbie Lenoir - from Ahaheim, CA (still lives in Anaheim). Robbie is a hard-working drummer also from the land of No Doubt, Offspring, Social Distortion and countless other Alternative Rock favorites that came out of Orange County, CA. Pulling on influences from his friend (and Stone Temple Pilots drummer) Eric Kretz and other hard-hitting power drummers, Robbie was the perfect foundation to the raw madness that teh writers wanted. "It all came together, and how!" said Michael.