Short and sweet, Halifax avant-rock trio Fungus, are following up their 2018 EP, D’well, with a video release for their newest single, “Waterboy.” Heavily metaphoric and pointed, the song bounces along, finding its grounding in a modern take on psychedelic surf rock.
With a flowing beat that pulls you under, “Waterboy” tells you the story of an unhealthy partnership. Clearly stemming from a very specific and real event, the track conveys the image of a person who wreaks mental havoc but then somehow lures you into thinking you need them to fix it.
“Well, it’s a simple song released in a complicated time, inspired by an old flame who wreaked poetic carnage. And let’s just say, hopefully, a healthy rock ’n’ roll attitude is not only something of the latter 20th century,” says Fungus’ lyricist Vivika Ballard.
Ballard’s says that the description of former dance partner as a water boy, wasn’t entirely literal, “No, but in a sense he served the world from the bench.”
The video, which was put together by the band’s drummer, Collin, uses rain and swirling, blurred images of colour as a backdrop to the bandmembers floating around the screen.
“Mainly, I hope people dig the surf beat and the beautiful video my drummer Collin put together,” says Ballard. “I hope listeners feel a similar catharsis as the band does playing the song. I think it’d sound good through a boombox on the beach, if your boombox has an aux input. We promise we’ll make physicals of our next project… when we have the cash!”
Fungus will be embarking on a quick Maritime tour in support of the release with dates in Sackville, Moncton, St John, Fredericton, and Charlottetown, along with fellow-Haligonians Holy Crow.
Tour Dates:
06.15.19 – Halifax, NS @ Gus’ Pub
06.17.19 – Sackville, NB @ Sackville Commons
06.18.19 – Moncton, NB @ Pink Flamingos Cabaret Lounge
06.19.19 – Saint John, NB @ Taco Pica
06.20.19 – Fredericton, NB @ The Capital Complex
0623.19 – Charlottetown , PE @ Baba’s Lounge
07.04.19 – Halifax, NS @ The Seahorse Tavern