Fuzzrod is arguably the preeminent garage rock band in Rochester. But on its new album, “III,” — released Aug. 30 by Records of Choice — the sound is bigger and more brash than that simple label would suggest.
The opening track, “Map of Outside,” is a sonic suckerpunch of throwback guitar riffs and punk chord progressions that lands like a revelation, with lyrics like: You are more than the sum of your meds / So sort the chaos in your stupid fucking head. As the blunt poetry suggests, Fuzzrod has no problem spittin’ vinegar in the service of an irreverent rock tune. On the arguably too short “Ugly,” guitarist Karrah Teague coolly snarls with an attitude best described as Joan Jett-esque.
The band also kicks back with songs like the mid-tempo summertime ode “Irondequoit Dads,” which succeeds in being completely earnest and satirical to its core at the same time: Trying to get a tan / Sun shines when it can.
Despite wearing ennui on its collective sleeve like a badge of honor, Fuzzrod never fails to inject humor. Guitarist Phil Shaw sings through a midlife crisis with a conspicuous purchase on the sludgy “Home Depot Skeleton.”
Now when I stand beneath him smoking cigarettes in my yard / I don’t feel so worthlessly alone / When I scream at god.
The album closes with the bare-knuckle, existential ride “Human Condition, the grind-and-wail guitar work held up by the rhythmic heft of bassist Brandon Henahan and drummer Stephen Roessner.
Unabashed and barely adorned rock ‘n’ roll is hard to come by these days, which makes the presence of Fuzzrod on the local music scene all the more remarkable. Underrated.
Daniel J. Kushner is a former CITY arts writer, now contributor. Feedback on this article can be directed to Patrick Hosken at patrick@rochester-citynews.com.
This article appears in Oct 1-31, 2024.
