Mammoth Records > The Minus 5 vs. The Young Fresh Fellows

"Sprawling and messy, yet oddly perfect, this world-class battle of the bands comes out too close to call. The real winner here is the listener."

Time Out New York - March 15, 2001

"Minus 5 features one of the great rock stars of the alternative era, a guitarist and songwriter so inventive and talented that even this side project focused on whimsical folk-pop is pure genius. Yes, it's Scott McCaughey of the Young Fresh Fellows."

New York Times - March 9, 2001

"The two discs deserve a Consumer Guide award for providing so much great pop material at such a bargain price."

LA New Times - March 7, 2001.

The Malt Label (“Beer and whiskey — is there anything they can’t do?”), in conjunctive with Mammoth Records (“We do all the work, and pay for everything”), doth hereby present:

MORE THAN YOU EVER WOULDN’T WANT TO KNOW
ABOUT THE MINUS 5 and THE YOUNG FRESH FELLOWS

“The past is important because it shows us who we would have been. The future is dimwitted and dull, the present languorous and sticky with the smug scent of hibiscus.” — Scott McCaughey, Sept. 2000

The Young Fresh Fellows - Because We Hate You

The Young Fresh Fellows - Because We Hate You

You know how the guy in L.A. Confidential was shot like 20 times and presumed dead but at the end was inexplicably alive and driving off with Kim Basinger to boot? That, in a nutshell, is The Young Fresh Fellows Story. Founded on David Crosby’s principle that Music Is Love, the Fellows started late, finished last, and had a blast doing it. But why the past tense? In concrete fact the band never died OR went to Australia. They did faint once though after a hard night in Idaho.

“They are extremely talented and extremely unfocused.” — Rolling Stone, 1992

It all started in 1983 or 1980. Chuck Carroll and Scott McCaughey moved from Cotati, California to Seattle, Washington with their records and guitars, inhabited a $100/month basement and bought a Teac 3340 reel-to-reel 4-track.

Which brings us to 2001 and a new album, Because We Hate You, its elephant-like gestation a source of both pride and frustration for YFFers Scott, Kurt, Tad, and Jim. The group’s long-suffering fans can once again step outside to feel the sun warm their lashes, as they raise their countenances and sigh, resigned yet content.

“They seem capable of playing virtually anything.” — Melody Maker, 1987

Because We Hate You is the album someone has been waiting for. It is, as are all Fellows albums, an infected refraction of the band members’ gargantuan musical tastes, incorporating new wave, disco, ragtime, new wave, impressionism, show tunes, conjunto and fetishism into a heady, seamless mess.

“They are direct about their indirection.” — Some Magazine, 1996

Much of this new album was recorded in Scott or Jim’s basements. And much of it was recorded in real fine studios. And some of it was recorded in a carton of milk. Who gives a shit?

“They don’t take their humor seriously.” — Cashbox, 1988.

With the almost guaranteed success of Because We Hate You lying ahead, the Young Fresh Fellows have a new lease on life. In the coming years, the group plans to record another song, and there is even talk of a live concert in the works. The sky is the limit!

“If you think we’re good, they’re the best band in the world.” — Paul Westerberg, Creem, 1987

“They are still the greatest rock and roll band on the planet.” — Cohen/Krugman, Culture Bunker, 2000