FANNY Keeps Rocking

By Harry Bates

Over fifty years have passed since FANNY’s music first hit US airwaves, yet its relevance to the experiences of young people remains unchanged. The group’s eclectic sound and heartfelt stories continue to represent the feelings of America’s youth. Mainstream rock’s first all-female band with Filipina and Queer band members brought forth a sound unlike any other. These musicians wrote and performed certified bops that rarely get the recognition they deserve. Haven’t heard of FANNY? Here’s a few songs to get you hooked.

"Long Road Home” from Mothers Pride

I can’t think of a song that better fits feelings of being lost and overwhelmed in this fast-paced world. Sometimes we just need to drift off from the perpetual highway of society, and get back to jamming with our natural rhythms. June Millington, the Band’s lead guitarist and singer, echoes the heavy hearts of those who desperately need to take a step back and breathe. Taking in the sonic beauty of this song on walks along the brick paths of Beacon Hill is unlike anything else.

“Blind Alley” from Fanny Hill

Subtle guitar picking explodes into full on rock jamming in “Blind Alley,” reflecting the chaos which defined a generation growing up amidst the Vietnam War. Nearly 1.7 million Americans between the ages of 18 to 26, according to the US Selective Service System, were forced to fight in a war which many viewed as morally wrong and unnecessary. From this mass government betrayal spawned a yearning for revolution from America’s youth — young people knew moving forward without any changes would lead to a dead end. These viewpoints are expressed so clearly through the sharpened guitar shredding, pumped drums, smashing keys, and roaring vocals. As America’s children have aged, many of the issues around them have only worsened and doubled-down, leaving calls for revolution from the nation’s youngest to emerge yet again. For young people today, this idea that we’re continuing our travels down a blind alley doesn’t seem so far from the truth.

Alice de Buhr’s organ/piano playing on this track is completely out of this world!

“I Need You Need Me” from Mothers Pride

This track centers on the emotional hole left in the heart days and weeks after an abrupt break up. Through its steady drum breaks and angelic piano and vocal pairing, “I Need You Need Me” takes a listener through the inner-thoughts of a person missing their person. It takes the pain of an immediate departure and transforms it into this sound that is so accurate of the feeling. It’s a tale of trying to jump through hoops to repair a broken love — reaching out to no avail.

“Are you alright?”

“Special Care” from Charity Ball

This cover of Buffalo Springfield’s “Special Care” mashes an already robust song with the artistic magic and insane instrumental talent of FANNY. Jean Millington’s bodacious bass playing and Buhr’s organ punches remake this song into a rock and roll mythic. One way to describe this performance: HIGH ENERGY. There’s just so much life and passion in this recording, and it has an infectious groove throughout the entire performance.

You can watch the trailer to the new documentary FANNY: The Right To Rock here.