The band started produ… Read Full Bio ↴Wisconsin, USA situated F/i was founded in 1981.
The band started producing several cassette releases first. The early material was harsh, experimental electronic sounds with drum machines and less guitars. That initially got the attention of the RRR Records label. The new collaboration started in 1986 with a split LP featuring a related band named BOY DIRT CAR. Two years later the including F/i songs were re-released under the album name 'Space Mantra'. At that time the line-up consisted of Richard Franecki (guitar, electronics), Brian Wensing (guitar), both longtime core members of the band, additionally supported by Steve Zimmerman (electronics). The music is influenced by the industrial/power sound of the days provided with references to krautrock acts like Faust and Neu.
The following 'Why Not Now?...Alan!' from 1987 shows the first changes to a more rocking style. Jan Schober (drums) had joined the band and Franecki enlarged his instrumentation with the bass guitar. Some other vinyl albums were released by RRR furthermore until Franecki left the band in 1990. The album 'Blue Star' marked the change. The studio title track from 1989 still features Franecki. The other two songs without him are live recordings from their Europe tour in 1990 (Bremen/Germany). Franecki went on with his new project THE VOCOKESH in the meanwhile along with Zimmerman and Schober.
F/i continued with Brian Wensing (guitar), Ron Faiola (drums), John Frankovic (bass) and Grant Richter (electronics) making instrumental music more in a spacey vein. 1992 saw a new release, 'Merge Parlour', a split album of both related bands. The same year F/i had toured in Germany and Switzerland and some recordings were put on the live album 'Earthpipe', released as their first CD. After a longer break a new EP with two songs similiar to HAWKWIND's heavy space rock style appeared in 1995 - this time with new members Rick Hake on drums and J. J. McAuliffe (bass, keyboards). They continued 1997 in this way with reduced avantgarde elements, more in a song-oriented manner, with the album 'Helioscopium' featuring Steve Schrank at the bass guitar.
The next sign of life is coming from 2003. 'A Question For The Somnambulist' marked the return of Richard Franecki, now being involved in two bands. This album reveived excellent reviews offering an interesting blend of psychedelic space, electronica and kraut rock ingredients. 'Blanga' followed in 2005 with a stronger spacey hallucinatory orientation and Rick Hake back on the drums.
The band is still on the run in 2009 with Franecki, Wensing and Richter as the core supported by Jay Tiller (drums) and Russ T. (bass). Besides some compilations which were offered over the years the Australian label Lexicon Devil started to reissue all the 80s RRR label vinyl albums on CD in 2000.
On Off
F/i Lyrics
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In F/i's song "On Off," the lyrics speak to the theme of power dynamics and control. The opening line, "If you can't beat 'em, join 'em," is a common phrase used to encourage submission when facing a perceived threat or challenge. The following line, "but I ain't ever goin' back there," suggests that the singer refuses to succumb to this belief and would rather fight against those who oppress them.
The verse continues with a warning about how time is running out, and the listener should decide what they have to offer before they get used up and discarded. The next lines, "your scared and pretend you don't see. they use you cause you let them," suggest that individuals may be complicit in their own oppression when they ignore or dismiss the manipulative tactics used against them.
The chorus contains lines that highlight the singer's sense of agency and their belief in using technology as a tool for resistance. The line, "you know technology's a weapon," implies that technology can be used as a force of both destruction and liberation. The closing line, "and we're onto something bigger," encourages the listener to join the cause and take control of their lives.
Line by Line Meaning
If you can't beat 'em, join 'em. that's what they're telling me.
People suggest that joining forces with others is a good way to compete, but I refuse to return to a submissive state.
but I ain't ever goin' back there. back down on my fucking knees.
I will never go back to a position of vulnerability and subservience.
time is running out. what have you got?
We are running out of time, so what do you have to show for it?
they use you till you're wasted. your scared and pretend you don't see.
People exploit you until you are no longer useful, and you are afraid to acknowledge it.
they use you cause you let them. scared just like I used to be.
You allow people to use and manipulate you because of your fear, just like I once did.
you know technology's a weapon. got my finger around a trigger.
Technology is a powerful tool that I am skilled in using to my advantage, like holding a weapon.
this axe swings both ways you see. and we're onto something bigger.
This tool can be used to further our cause, and we are on the verge of a major breakthrough.
Lyrics ยฉ OBO APRA/AMCOS
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