The scene that Houston's Fatal Flying Guilloteens came up in in the early '00s was a sight different from the one in the here and now. Guys like Robert Ellis, the Buxton and Wild Moccasins boys and girls, and Fat Tony weren't roaming the city and now the Earth touring. There were fewer venues in town, the Internet wasn't the Beast it is now and things were more feral in these parts.
The Guilloteens are reuniting for a 7 p.m. slot Saturday at Free Press Summer Fest. When the lineup was announced a few months back, their name elicited more excitement than even seeing Snoop Dogg's. At least for me. That seemed like more of a coup.
Over two albums, 2001's Now Hustle for New Diaboliks 2003's Get Knifed, and 2007's Quantum Fucking, the FFG would leave not a mark but a crazy stab wound you need 20 million stitches to close. It was delicious.
Fucking ended up getting at 7.5 from Pitchfork's Stuart Berman, and SPIN liked it too, comparing them to Killdozer, Scratch Acid and Big Black.
FFG guitarist Brian McManus conversed with me on the band's mark and what has changed in Houston since they disbanded, while in transit and coming back to Houston for the festival. He also turned in a great piece for Free Press Houston about the band's history.
Rocks Off: What did it take to make this happen for this Summer Fest?
Brian McManus: Omar and Jagi (of Pegstar) have asked a couple times in years past, but I don't think we really considered it all that seriously. What it took is that we were made a serious offer.
I live in Philly. Mike (drums/vocals) lives in Seattle. We haven't played in six years. Logistically, it just seemed like a nightmare. So this year when Summer Fest asked again and seemed to be more than just suggesting it, we told them what it would take to turn that nightmare into a dream, and they made it happen.
RO: When you guys went away all those years ago, the Houston music scene was much different. What has changed the most, or do you think it has changed at all?
BM: I haven't been around for those changes or lack thereof, and haven't kept up with them or the lack of them. We had our first practice last night and the other guys were talking about different Houston bands. I'd heard of exactly zero of them. They could've been speaking Chinese and I'd have understood what the hell they were talking about just as much.
Secret Prostitutes, Garbage Dump, whuuu? I know Shawn's band Weird Party, who I think are incredible. I know Roy's band Black Congress, who are also great. I also have The Energy's first album. Other than that, unless it's Riff Raff, I can't talk Houston music with you.