2) Mark Gunnery (of the Riot-Folk colle… Read Full Bio ↴1) The Band of “Psycho Chicken”.
2) Mark Gunnery (of the Riot-Folk collective) and Mahra Parian.
3) Japanese R&R Band.Check also フールズ.
(1) The Fools Story
By Hugh Jarse
Sometime around 1975, deep in the Home of the Fried Clam, Ipswich, Massachusetts, a really fun bunch of guys who had a band called "The Rhythm A's" somehow changed and became The Fools. This is their story.
All entertainers have a gimmick, a shtick, if you will (even if you won't). The object of a Fools show was to blow real life out of all proportion and morph ‘just another night out to see a band’ into the most fun anyone had ever had — anywhere! Meeting with great success, it wasn't long before the lads were masterminding stage trickery, pratfalls, skits, themes, twisted audience participation, practical jokes, paybacks, big nights and even some colossal events. Then they discovered radio.
In 1979 "Psycho Chicken," X-rated parody of The Talking Heads' "Psycho Killer," exploded over the airwaves of Boston. The boys were so excited they followed up almost at once with another whopping hit — "It's a Night for Beautiful Girls." And the guys weren't the only ones to get excited. EMI Records signed the band and sent them right out to tour the U.S. with The Knack. The tour was a smashing success. Then, off to Miami to record the victorious debut album "Sold Out."
The 1980’s saw the band through a storybook journey of mounting success and achievement. Adoring fans, media attention, the second album "Heavy Mental," touring the U.S. with Van Halen, massive "hometown" shows in Boston, TV appearances galore, European Tours with dizzying record sales, music videos and MTV. Then came the break with EMI. The band, alone and exhausted, retired to Cape Cod for a summer and bravely wrote their most successful album, "World Dance Party." Fueled by no less than four big radio tunes, WDP flew out of stores all across the nation. The title track "World Dance Party," along with a "Doo Wah Diddy" remake, "Life Sucks…Then You Die" and "She Makes Me Feel Big" all added up to a blockbuster of an independent release bringing in sales in excess of either 500,000 or 1,000,000 or 2,000,000 — depending on which band member you ask. Are they playing it up? (Or playing it down.)
Record-breaking radio airplay, new videos with heavy MTV play, new releases and constant touring propelled The Fools through the mid-1990's. Now in the new millenium they're at it again. Do not miss an opportunity to experience the spectacle and splendor, the legendary bombast, yes the shock and the awe — The Fools!
Who Have To Fools Played With ?...Heres just a few according to Rich Bartlett !
Let me see........There were more than a few....Though not a complete list I do remember these: In no particular order: The Doobie Brothers,[ our first 'big' show. people threw things at us] Rush,[couldn't have been nicer] J Geils,[a few times] Jefferson Starship, Blondie,[ the show at the Orpheum got us signed to EMI] The Knack,[ they're one and only tour] Van Halen,[nuff said] Toto, The Plasmatics [with Wendy O'Williams. Scary!], The Bangles,[sigh] Alvin Lee, Joan Jet, Roger McQuin, Steppenwolf, Rick Derringer, The Ramones, The Motels, Otis Day and the Knights [what a joke], Los Lobos, David Johansen, that guy who did 'It's too late for Sharon Tate' and 'People who Died', Oh yeah, that girl who did 'Walking on Sunshine - Katrina and the Waves. I know there's more. The mind is a terrible thing. Plus we did some television in Europe with Cheap Trick, Motorhead, Girl School, Peter Gabriel, The Pointer Sisters, Kate Bush, Billy Squire, 'The Dolly Dots' , a 1981 Dutch version of 'The Spice Girls, Southside Johnny and the Asbury Dukes. Or is it Jukes? I know I'm forgetting some...
Then there were a lot of Boston bands like: The Drive, The Del Fuegoes, The Dawgs, Jon Butcher Axis, The Cars,[remember Footstock?], Til Tuesday, The Nervous Eaters, Farrenheit, The Stompers, New Man, Steve Smith and the Nakeds, Girls Night Out, Face To Face, Private Lightning, The Bristols, Tom Hambridge, Human Sexual Responce, Robin Lane, Reddy Teddy, James Montgomery, The Neighborhoods, New England, Orchestra Luna, The Joe Perry Project, The Rings, The Swinging Erudities, The Orbits, and most of Ralph Fatello's bands [The Vinny Band, The Nor'easters, Semper Fi] My apologies to those I can't remember now. If I can think of anybody else, I'll let you know...
Rich Bartlett
You know, I was looking at the web site and saw all those bands you guys played with ! VERY impressive ! If you want to add a few local band names to the list, here's what I got ! In August of "76 ( that's right,I was 5 years old ) yoos guys played at the Twin Rinks on 114 in Danvers with : " Hot To Trot ", "Cloud ", " Voyage " and " Blue Moon " ( My second band with Paul Bonaiuto and Mike Shea )! Let's not forget the many times we played together when Sadler and I had "The Carmody Band " ! Gigs at the Summit Club,The Main Act ( Harbor House ) and I believe the Paradise ( though I'm not too sure about THAT one, I know we played with " The Stompers " and " Private Lightning" a couple of times) I'm sure you're getting inundated with "has beens" trying to re-fresh your memory of those legendary bygone days and I won't take-up any more of your time ! It's not that IMPORTANT to me!
Roger Carmody
(2) The Fools are Mark Gunnery (of the Riot-Folk collective) and Mahra Parian. Their S/T (2006) album was recorded in Mark's bedroom in Berkeley in fall and winter, 2006. The CD has a twenty page booklet full of foolish lyrics, art and writings. They have toured parts of the USA and Canada. They are currently working on a zine/CD combo, no release date as of yet.
It
The Fools Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
That the world will never change
That all love will someday wane
There's no heart's ease
Then so suddenly
There comes a storming rain
On a sunny day
The way it's always been
(The way, the way it's always been)
You are so far away
From way up in space
I need you to take my place
You are an open flame
While I'm the darkest cave
I need you to light the way
I've been hungering just for a taste
Of the fighting sea and its violent grace
Salt in my veins
Flown on wanton wing
Or an absence of gravity
To towers of ivory
The way it's always been
(The way, the way it's always been)
(The way, the way it's always been)
You are a quill and ink
And I'm a blank white page
I need you to write our story
You are a healing place
While I'm eternal ache
I need you to numb the pain
The way, the way it's always been
The way, the way it's always been
The way, the way it's always been
The way, the way it's always been
The way, the way it's always been
The lyrics to The Fools' song "It" tell the story of two individuals who are vastly different, yet complements one another. The song starts with one of the characters floating away to a dark belief that the world will never change and that love will eventually fade away. The other character then enters, expressing that they need the first character to take their place, as they are the opposite – an open flame to the first character's darkest cave. The first character then expresses their desire to experience something more significant – the fighting sea and its violent grace – and the other character is needed to write their story and numb their pain.
The chorus repeats the phrase "the way it's always been," reinforcing that these characters have a pattern of needing each other to balance out their differences. They are like quill and ink, or a healing place to eternal ache. There's an acknowledgment that they might have been this way for a long time, but it doesn't make their connection any less real or essential.
The song is beautifully written, and it's easy to relate to the idea of two people who are different but need each other to complement each other's strengths and weaknesses.
Line by Line Meaning
I saw you float away to a dark belief
I observed you drift towards a negative viewpoint
That the world will never change
You believe the world cannot change for the better
That all love will someday wane
You think that all love will eventually fade away
There's no heart's ease
You feel a lack of peace within your heart
Then so suddenly
Unexpectedly
There comes a storming rain
You face a sudden, difficult challenge
On a sunny day
Even during good times
The way it's always been
This is not a new experience, but a recurring pattern
You are so far away
You seem distant from me
From way up in space
Like you are observing from a distance
I need you to take my place
I need you to step in for me
You are an open flame
You are passionate and bright
While I'm the darkest cave
I am feeling trapped and hopeless
I need you to light the way
I need your guidance to find my path
I've been hungering just for a taste
I have been craving something
Of the fighting sea and its violent grace
I desire the raw power and beauty of the ocean
Salt in my veins
I feel a connection to the sea and a desire for change
Flown on wanton wing
I have a reckless streak in me
Or an absence of gravity
I feel weightless and free
To towers of ivory
To something grand and majestic
You are a quill and ink
You are the creative force
And I'm a blank white page
I am open and ready for your ideas
I need you to write our story
I need you to take charge of our narrative
You are a healing place
You offer solace and comfort
While I'm eternal ache
I feel constant pain and sadness
I need you to numb the pain
I need your help to lessen the hurt
The way, the way it's always been
This is a recurring pattern in our lives
The way, the way it's always been
This is a recurring pattern in our lives
The way, the way it's always been
This is a recurring pattern in our lives
The way, the way it's always been
This is a recurring pattern in our lives
The way, the way it's always been
This is a recurring pattern in our lives
Lyrics © DistroKid
Written by: Adam Feibel
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@sharonwest2443
The best group that came out of my hometown. Love listening to them,!!!,
@michaelbruns449
Why this dazzling hypnotic song doesnt have millions of views is a real musical tragedy upon multiple disturbing levels.
@ToldAlthea
Cape Cod Colleseum with Geils !! Early 80’s !!!
@paultaurone5634
I believe I was there.
@eikaiwajapan
Best bar band on the North Shore!
@RamusiewiczRockMe
I LOVE 'These Guys' !!! I Was Fortunate Enough to be a Part of The Boston Scene Back in the 70's When 'The Scene' was Exploding with Aerosmith, The Cars, James Montgomery AND The Fools Who I Worked a Gig with at The Frolics Back Then. Bet Ya Didn't Know That the Part of the Song That Sounds Like a Harmonica Being Played IS in ALL Truth Mike Girard Lead Vocalist Simply Blowing into His Hands While Mimicking a Harmonica; TRUE !!!
@cmentertainment7950
The Frolics! In Salisbury Beach - very cool... It's been gone now for sometime but a great place to see a show.
@ironzo
Try the Blue Ocean Music hall up there. Great room!
@Mbase-apollo
a great time indeed, I saw these guys at west gate lounge in brockton mass. back in 79
@joeticket3986
saw amy mann and til Tuesday at westgate sat behind her parents in a booth , saw a few good shows at franks when they were trying music before the strip club Remember the Lines used to see them at the pickle barrel on 138 Now