Hailing from Wisconsin, Fever Marlene calls Milwaukee home. Originally a two-piece, made up of Scott Starr (vocals, guitar, bass pedals, synth) and Kevin Dunphy (vocals, drums) the band emerged into the "garage rock" revival scene in early 2003.
The two met while studying in Madison, Wis. and started rehearsing together under the name The People. After quick stints in Los Angles and Chicago, the duo moved back to Wisconsin and began recording as Fever Marlene, the name stemming from Starr's itch for vintage films and movie star Marlene Dietrich. Yet despite close to a decade of collaboration and playing alongside bands like The Flaming Lips, Alkaline Trio and Social Distortion, this release re-orientates the band and reimagines their sound with a freshly intimate approach.
In their 2013 release, "Medicated Friends," Fever Marlene demonstrates the depth a DIY indie band is able to garner under their own direction and control. Expanding to a five-piece outfit, featuring Dan Mahony (bass, guitar, vocals), Ryan Gardiner (synth, organs) and Christian Hansen (guitar, vocals), Fever Marlene writes, produces, records, mixes and masters all their own material in their self-built studio, Dirty Earth. "Medicated Friends" proves to be a rare treat-the fulfillment of the band's vision in tact and in it's entirety.
Minutes into "Medicated Friends," it's clear the band has come into their own. Simultaneously flaunting skillful maturity and youthful fervor, the band's urban energy and alternative pop sound mesh to generate understated hooks, humble melodies and intricate craft.
The album's sunny, vocal led melodies are eclectic yet to the point; supported by tight chord repetitions layered in a dense, fluid texture. A collection of ten songs, the album pulses with up-tempo songs to highlight Starr's catchy, swift vocals that taunt the sing-along and prime the long sunny car ride.
