A MINOR  OBSESSION
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PRESS ARCHIVE


For a band that has been around for three decades, I've always thought surprisingly little has been written about them. Over time I've collected what I could of fanzines and other clippings. I've also combed the internet looking for anything worthwhile. This is far from a complete list, but it's the largest grouping of articles to date. If I own it, I scanned it. If not, a link is available.

- 1989.03.28 The Saratogian
Show review from the Bijou on 1989.02.20. "Don't dismiss the Sonic Undertones."
- 1990.Jun  Eye On Saratoga
Show review from Caroline St. Block Party on 1990.05.06. "Believe it or not, some people in the audience hadn't heard the Figgs before."
- 1991.10.03  Skidmore News
Show review from Falstaffs on 1991.09.28
- 1992.10.08  Skidmore News
Review of the Happy 7"
- 1992.11.12  Metroland
Feature article titled Memories of Yoo-Hoo
- 1993.09.09  Metroland
Blurb about the Columbia Records demo
- 1993.Fall  Canvas: Issue #5
Fanzine out of Skidmore College contains an interview and a review of Ready Steady Stoned
- 1993.12.2  Metroland
Cover Story. interview conducted Nov.19-20
- 1993.12.17  Daily Gazette
Figgs rehearsing first album, will play in area this weekend
​
with quotes from Mike and Brad
- 1994.5.28  Billboard Magazine
article entitled "Figgs off to the races with debut set"
- 1994.Jun
Imago press release
- 1994.07.08  Washington Post
Show preview entitled "consistent kittens and fresh figgs"
- 1994.07.10  Daily Gazette
Local paper's review of Low-Fi

- 1994.07.10  Buzzz Magazine
Cover story
- 1994.Summer  Thumb: Issue #2
Interview with Pete and Pete
- 1994.09.15  Skidmore News
Reprint of the Thumb zine interview
- 1994.Sep.  Spin 
The infamous "chauvinist" review of Low-Fi at Society High
- 1994.Sep  Crossbeat (Japan)
Low-Fi at Society High album review.
​Thank you Mika
- 1994  Jersey Beat: Issue #52 
Feature interview conducted Aug.18-19
- 1994.10.09  The Daily Gazette
Live review of the 10.8.94 show at SUNY Albany. My first Figgs show!
- 1995.03.04  Billboard Magazine
Photo of Mike durring the "Wasted Pretty" Copenhagen video shoot
- 1995.04.06  Skidmore News
Great review of the show on 1995.04.01
- 1996.04.17  The Source
Cover story by Kirsten Ferguson
- 1996.04.20  Billboard Magazine
Photo of band in the studio remixing Banda Macho for Capitol
- 1996.04.23  Pittsburgh Post Gazette
A quick interview with Mike titled No Clash Here
- 1996.06.21  Daily Gazette
A quick piece about the Figgs joining the WARPED Tour
- 1996.Jul  Capitol press release
Artist Direct has it here as well

- 1996.Jul  CMJ New Music
Banda Macho review. Blame It All Senseless was also featured on the accompanying cd sampler
- 1996.07.24  Pittsburgh Post Gazette
Review of the WARPED Tour stop in Pittsburgh titled All Punkers Are Created Equal. Look for the awesome quote from Hayes!
- 1996.Aug  HuH Magazine
Short interview piece with the band titled Saratoga Smile. Girl, Kill Your Boyfriend is also featured on the accompanying 
cd sampler
- 1996  Guitar world
Short overview piece with Mike & Guy
- 1996.Sep   Hot Lava
Feature overview
- 1996.Sep  Crossbeat (Japan)
Banda Macho review. Thank you Mika
- 1996.09.08  WHTG Eatontown, NJ
Radio interview. Check out the live show posted on the site too!
- 1996.Oct  Crossbeat (Japan)
The second Banda Macho review in as many months. Thank you Mika
- 1996.10.09 Michigan State University
Banda Macho review. hysterical!
- 1996.Nov  Rock Net
A nice long interview with Guy Lyons

- 1996.12.07  Billboard Magazine
Photo of band with Graham on the Acid Bubblegum tour 10.15.96
- 1997.02.06  Mass. Daily Collegian
live review 
- 1997.05.26  People Magazine
Review of the live Last Rock & Roll Tour album
- 1997.Aug  Mixmag
Article on the making of the Last Rock & Roll Tour album titled
Captured Live at Bogie's
- 1998.Mar-Apr  Muddle: Issue #13
Feature interview conducted 11.19.97
- 1998.Jun   Absolute a-Go-Go
Couldn't Get High press release

- 1998.06.18  Montreal Mirror
Interview with Mike titled
Don't Quit Your Day Job

-1998.08.05  Flagpole Magazine
Some Hayes quotes mixed in with this review of Couldn't Get High

- 1999.May  Elevate Me Later
Feature interview with Hayes. conducted 5.8.99
1999.07.03  The Noise
Live review 
- 2000.Jan  Pressed Figgs
Kevin Ure's Figgs newsletter 
- 2000.Feb  Angst and Daisies
Feature overview
- 2000.03.16  New Mexico State University Roundup
For EP Fans Only review
- 2000.04.02  Dairy Farmers For Quebec's Independence (huh?)
For EP Fans Only review
- 2000.06.07   Flagpole Magazine
Interview with Pete D. titled Maximum Rock & Pop
- 2000.Oct   CMJ Online
Sucking In Stereo review   
- 2000.10.18  Boston.com
Sucking In Stereo review
- 2000.Nov   Miles Of Music
Interview with Mike
- 2000.12.21  Figgle
Steve Reynolds strikes again with his review of the Most Prolific Band Of 2000

- 2001.Jan/Feb  Amplifier Issue# 22
​Feature piece includes an interview with Pete D.
- 2001.Jan/Feb  Magnet
Sucking In Stereo review
- 2001.02.12  Milk Magazine
Quick Review of Sucking in stereo

- 2001.03.02  Skidmore News
​A not so well written review of the 2001.02.24 show at Falstaffs
- 2001.03.15  Phoenix New Times
Interview entitled The Talent Shows
 - 2001.Summer  As The World Burns
Fanzine interview with Pete D. Conducted 11.07.2000

- 2002.March  Harp Magazine
Slow Charm album review

- 2002.04.11  Wax Buildup
Article by Steve Reynolds titled Let's Hear The Gentlemen, Please
- 2002.Jul  Boston Magazine
Short interview with Mike for Slow Charm
- 2002.Oct  The Noise
Interview with Mike 
- 2003.Jan-Feb  Amplifier
A positive Slow Charm review that includes an Interview with Mike 

- 2003.04.03  Skidmore News
Great review of the 2003.03.29 show at Falstaffs
- 2003.07.23  Billboard
A short interview with Tommy titled Stinson Sets Solo Dates With The Figgs

- 2003.08.24  Metroland
Live review from the Worn To A Nub Tour with Tommy Stinson
[dead link]
- 2004.Mar  Harp magazine
​Short review on Slow Charm

- 2004.05.07  Metroland
Live review from Albany show
[dead link]
- 2004.06.24  Rolling Stone
The Figgs top the charts! Along with every other local band Mr. S mentioned when the magazine called my former place of employment
- 2004.08.09  Razorcake
Interview with Mike 
- 2004.Sep  In Music We Trust
Interview with Pete D.
- 2006.11.21   Pop Matters
Good review of the Follow Jean LP

- 2006.12.21  Today 
Pete D. interview titled Aging Gracefully and Still Rocking
-  2006.12.31  No Depression
A nice nostalgic review of Follow Jean by Rick Cornell

- 2007.02.13  BMI.COM
Article With Pete D. focusing on his production/engineering side called Tips From The Trenches

- 2007.May-June  Skope Magazine
A half page article with Mike about the 20th anniversary titled
Relationship Advice
- 2007.06.18  thefiggs.net
A nice full band interview titled Chasing After Figgs. conducted before the show on 5.26.07

- 2007.08.30   Metroland
Cover story celebrating 20 years of the band.
- 2008.01.05  On Milwaukee
An all too brief review of the 2008.01.04 show titled: The Figgs Rock Linneman's. They included a quick quote from Mike.


- 2009.01.08  Taunton Gazette
A nice handful of Hayes quotes in this piece, titled Figgs Will Be Cooking On Hot Stove Boston, promoting their appearance.

- 2009   Razorcake
Review of the Casino Hayes single
- 2009.04.02  Blurt
A great review by Bill Holmes of Mike's self titled solo album
- 2009.05.27  Solid State
Great live review of the May 24th gig in Burlington
- 2009.06.19  The Peverett Phile
Interview titled Pheaturing Mike Gent
- 2010   How To Succeed At Rock
A blog written by former manager, Brad Morrison containing multiple Figgs stories.
- Lesson #1 It’s all about being famous
- It’s all about being famous again
- What’s so great about a recording contract?
- Lesson #15 Godzilla Magpops VS The Promoter
- 2010.06.01  Absolute Powerpop blog
Quick positive review of Man Who Fights Himself

- 2010.06.03  Montreal Mirror
A quick review of Man Who Fights Himself. 9 out of 10!
- 2010.06.16  Sound As Language
A broad stroked overview of the band titled 120 on S.A.L.
- 2010.07.11 Jaded Scenester NYC blog
Yet another quick review of Man Who Fights Himself
- 2010.08.05  Daily Gazette
Interview with Mike previewing hometown shows titled Figgs Bring New Album, Loads of New Songs to Town

- 2010.08.08  Times Union
Live review of the Aug. 6th show titled The Figgs Deliver Rock
- 2010.08.16  Nippertown
Live review of the Aug. 7th show in Saratoga
- 2010.09.07   The Big Takeover
Marc Scarano (of Alice the Goon fame) interviews Mike
- 2010.Dec  Razorcake 
Review of the Sucking In Stereo LP reissue
- 2010.12.09  Metroland
Upcoming concerts blurb for the shows on December 10th & 11th
- 2010.12.14  Jaded Scenester NYC blog
Glowing review of the 3.28.01 Kansas City, MO cd 

- 2011.Jun   The 1st Five.com
Review of the Sucking In Stereo LP reissue
- 2011.07.14  Razorcake
​Even more reviews of the Sucking In Stereo LP reissue
- 2011.11.09  7inches blog
nice review of the Casino Hayes 7"
- 2011.12.21  Thatdanguy's Podcast
Audio interview with Pete D. still available here or at itunes. It's labeled part one, but to my knowledge, no follow up has happened yet.
- 2012.01.19  RT 20 Podcast
Pete is interviewed by friend, Steve Reynolds for his podcast. 
Highly recomended listening! in 2 parts below.
- 2012.01.27  The Big Takeover
​Review of Pete's When You Come Home LP
​- 2012.03.05  The Peverett Phile
Interview titled Pheaturing Pete Donnelly
- 2012  Razorcake
Review of the Day Gravity Stopped LP 
- 2012.Apr  Go Metric 
Staff having some fun picking their top 5 figgs songs in honor of the bands 25th anniversary.
- 4.16 Jason Fry 
- 4.17 Joe Keller
- 4.21 Mike Faloon 
- 4.23 Steve Reynolds
- 2012.04.17  RT 20 Podcast
Mike is interviewed by friend, Steve Reynolds for his podcast. 

Highly recomended listening! in 2 parts below.


- 2012.04.29  Rocketfuel Podcast: Episode #57
Phone interview with Mike in two parts. Available here or at itunes
- 2012.05.14  Faster and Louder blog
​Supremely glowing review of  the Day Gravity Stopped album 
- 2012.06.27  Nippertown!
Live review of the Figgs with Graham on 4.19 in Albany
2012.08.02  WXPN's The Key
A nice chat titled: Get to know Local artist Pete Donnelly

- 2012.08.21  Poetscollective's Blog
Live review of the 8.18 Saratoga show titled live at 25
- 2012.10.01  The 1st Five
Good review of the 2LP Day Gravity Stopped album
- 2012.10.22  New York Music Daily
Review of the 10.20 show at Rock Shop titled 
CMJ 2012: Make Music NY for Kids with Badges
- 2012.12.13  Boston Globe
Interview with Mike titled The Figgs Still Fresh 25 Years Later
- 2012.12.27  Nippertown!
Live review of the 12.21 show in Albany
- 2013.02.11  Power Popaholic Blog
Interview with Mike can be found here or youtube 
- 2013.03.11  Our Stage Magazine
Short article where the Figgs are declared Artists of the Week
- 2013.03.14  Red Star Union 
Mike performs live, then is interviewed by Tom Kielty from the Boston Globe. Watch all of it here. A review of the show can be found Here
2013.04.01  The Peverett Phile
Interview titled Pheaturing Phile Alum Mike Gent of the Figgs
- 2013.04.02  Live Review
Glowing review and video of Mike's show at Club Passim in Cambridge, MA on 3.25.13
- 2013.05.20  The Adventures of Jeff & Unkajeff Blog
Interview with Pete D. Here
- 2013.06.11  Boston.Com
Mike talks briefly in the article Boston Band The Figgs Scores with Lexus Ad

- 2013.07.22  The Peverett Phile
Interview titled Pheaturing Phile Alum Pete Donnelly
- 2013.08.20  Boston Globe
A nice Face The Bird review
- 2013.11.06 Folio Magazine
A quick interview titled Two Peas in a Pod with Pete to promote his solo show in Florida on 11.15
- 2013.11.13 WTF Podcast Episode #442
Recorded on July 1st that same year in Marc's garage. The full episode has been uploaded and taken off youtube a few times. But it's up now!
- 2014.01.06 Nippertown
Live review of the Dec. 20th show in Albany
- 2014.01.20 Jetpack Promotions
A quick write up of Guy's band titled Blockhouses Debut in NYC
- 2014.04.11  Nippertown
Live review and photos from the Apr. 4th show in Albany
- 2014.04.23 Times Union
A nice article about the opening of the Low Beat in Albany titled One Rocking Block. A couple Figgs quotes and a bunch of great photos from the Apr. 4th show.
- 2014.05.27 Jetpack Promotions
Chicago Cubs Announcer Len Kasper Interviews Pete Donnelly here
- 2014.09.05  The Peverett Phile
Interview with Mike talking Rapid Shave, titled Pheaturing Phile Alum Mike Gent
- 2014.12.18  The Peverett Phile
Interview with Pete talking American Town, titled Pheaturing Phile Alum 
Pete Donnelly
- 2015.Winter  Saratoga Living
A short 1+ page review of the Dec. 20th show in Saratoga titled Revisiting Lo-Fi
 
- 2015.03.02 Briefings From A Spa City Metalhead
A fun little piece about Saratoga area bands here
- 2015.04.24   The Peverett Phile
Interview with Pete and Mike talking Other Planes
- 2015.June  thefiggs.net
More Other Planes talk between Len Kasper and Mike here
- 2015.July  High Times 
Other Planes of Here gets a quick review
- 2015.07.09  Ourstage
The Figgs Get Cosmic with this positive Other Planes of Here review
- 2015.07.16  The Vinyl District
A nice long interview with Pete D. here
- 2015.Oct  High Times 
On Higher Planes article from Josh Chambers
- 2015.12.14  The Daily Gazette
​Figgs In Fine Form live review  from the Dec. 12th show in Albany by Kirsten Ferguson

- 2016.04.28  Friday Variety Presents
Mike does a phone interview with students at Zumix. Posted to soundcloud here
- 2016.Jun  Magnet Magazine
Mike talks On The Slide with Matt Hickey in the "Somewhere Under The Radar" segment. Read online here
- 2016.06.17  Ourstage
A positive quick review of the On The Slide LP
- 2016.09.09   Philly.com
Pete D. does a quick interview to promote the Haverford show on 9.10.16
- 2016.09.18  Chasing The Essential
A very nice On The Slide album review 

- 2016.10.15  Sound&Vision.com
Positive review of The Needy Sons debut album Vis-A-Vis
- 2016.10.19  The ReynoldsTop 20 Blog
The same man responsible for the fantastic RT20 interviews in 2012 strikes again! Another great interview with Mike right here!

- 2016.10.28  Boston Herald
More good press for the Needy Sons  album
2016.12.14  Daily Gazette
a nice short interview here with Pete D. previewing the show in Albany on 2016.12.16
There is also a review of this show published 12.19 from the same paper here.
2016.12.15 Times Union
Fun interview here with Mike previewing the show in Albany on 
2016.12.16. Interview conducted on 12/10.
- 2016.12.23  Saratoga Today
Friend of the band, Thomas Dimopoulos interviews Pete D. in a great preview for their show at Saratoga First Night. Read it here!
- 2017.04.??  Indy Week
A little promo piece titled An Evening With The Figgs hyping their Chapel Hill show on 4.26
- 2017.05.25  Daily Gazette
A brief interview with Pete titled 
The Figgs' founder finally graduates
- 2017.07.12  Daily Times
Pete D. gets interviewed about turning 30. The Figgs celebrate 30 years of performing and recording at Underground Arts
-  2017.08.28  The Peverett Phile
A new interview with Mike promoting The Man Who Fights Himself LP reissue. Pheaturing Phile Alum Mike Gent From The Figgs

- 2017.11.30  Daily Gazette
A very rare occurance indeed! A Short Pete Hayes interview to support the December 1st show at Newberry Music Hall. Titled The Figgs Pete Hayes: We're One Big Family

- 2018.04.19  CRAIC Radio
Pete Donnelly radio Interview Promoting Phases Of The Moon in Philly here

- 2018.05.19  Daily Gazette
 live review  from the May 18th show in Albany by Kirsten Ferguson
-2018.09.04  No Depression
Review of Pete's latest LP titled: An Album of Many Phases

- 2018.11.28  NYS Music
Preview for the Blockhouses gig on 12/1 
-  2018.12.09  Faster and Louder blog
An incredibly glowing review of the Blockhouses album "Greatest Hit Songs of All Time"
-  2019.01.31  the Daily Gazette
Promoting his show in Saratoga the evening this was published, Pete did a quick phone interview.
​Saratoga Springs Native Donnelly Happily Exploring New 'Phases'
- 2019.04.11  Reynolds Top 20 Blog
A stunner of an interview with Mike on the current goings on of the Figgs titled: 
The Figgs are Back in a new Grove
​
I highly suggest checking out this, and all other Steve Reynolds interviews with the Figgs. Particularly the Pete and Mike interviews from 2012 that are posted above.
- 2019.05.21  Saratoga Living
A MEGA article with a focus on Low-Fi. You have to read this! The on-Line version is much bigger than the print edition
- 2019.06.03  Niche Appeal
Spanking new single "Grab Your Pack" named Track of the day. Great write up too. 
- 2019.06.05  Zub Records
Live review of the chapel Hill and Winston Salem shows on 5.30 & 5.31
- 2019.06.07  Boston Herald
The Figgs Prove to be a triple Threat in Brett Milano's teaser for SHady Grove. Featuring short interviews with Mike and Pete D.
- 2019.06.11  Nice Pace
Live review of the 2 Boston shows on June 8th. Some great photos and videos of the gigs too. Go poke around this site! She's got a lot of Figgs treasures. 

- 2019.06.14  Bad Transfer Blog
A fun & funky review of the new Ginger LP reissue

- 2019.07.30  Shepherd Express
A quick interview with Pete D. in support of Shady Grove and their midwest tour titled: With Strong Wisconsin ties
- 2019.08.07  Milwaukee Record
Erin Dorbin breaks down the legend of "Figgsmas" in this fun article that interviews Wisconsin super-fans
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