voicepopfoible… sometimes twisted yet always loveable left-of-centre fourpiece ‘band without a genre’ that continue to stun and delight festival audiences Australia-wide.
Performing under the once-obligatory deluded popstar pseudonyms of Bob Slacks (bass/vocals), Mr. Rex Sally (electric guitars/trombone/vocals), Gav Mc Dougal (drums/vocals/acoustic guitar/percussion) and Dr Kevin Mancini (trumpet/vocals/acoustic guitar) ....the Foibles present an intriguing oddly matched fourpiece letting their inner foibles flourish through a seriously engaging genre-bending mix of raucous irreverant 4 part acapella, multi-instrumental-rootsy groove and all out thrash-trumpet Latino-bonk-pop. With an unapologetic political forthrightness and with reverence to lyrical oddity, The Foibles often venture into ‘unsafe’ territory albeit in the most entertaining of ways
The Foibles are veterans of the national festival circuit (Port Fairy Vic, The National ACT, Wintermoon Qld, Fairbridge WA, Adelaide Fringe SA, St Albans NSW…to name a few) yet are equally at home on the cabaret/listening venue circuit where they have built a cult following on their reputation as Australia’s finest eclectic ‘third drawer band’ …..that is we all know what is kept in the top kitchen drawer – we are vaguely aware of the miscellaneous items that make it into the second draw ……. but the third draw is home to a perplexing array of items that have no obvious label or classification. And so it is with the multiple cross-over blend of styles that has become synonymous with voicepopfoible.
The Foibles have, of late, enjoyed critical acclaim and are no strangers to Radio National and ABC airwaves. Their second studio album, ‘Blessed are the Tastemakers’ gleaned two tracks that won Fresh Air awards for the national broadcaster in 2004/5.
But it is their live shows that separate these consummate left-field taste-making entertainers from other performers. Fittingly, ABC Radio presenter and personality Derek Guille should have the last word here, when he says ….... “they can mix it with the best…and write the sort of songs that make you laugh and dance at the same time. I can say, in all honesty, that voicepopfoible is one of the very best bands I’ve had the pleasure of seeing for some years. Brace yourselves for a live performance!”
