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Fior Fiero
The Satellite EP
August 28, 2007

Static music is boring; a static band is even worse. Don’t plan on pinning these guys into that category, though. Meet Fior Fiero, a new band formed by members of the acclaimed concept act, now defunct Dark Side of the Cop.

While touring behind DSOTC during the Summer and Fall of 2006, guitarist Marco Panella and keyboardist Roger Thomasson started to think beyond their “masterful pop” (Houston Chronicle) sensibilities, striving to break away from the confines of electronica and into spaces more commonly occupied by rock and roll.

With The Satellite EP, the duo moves from DSOTC’s sun-drenched pop vignettes into longer and darker ruminations. “On tour,” explains Panella, “we started stretching songs, giving them a more guitar driven, organic feel. We wanted to incorporate some of that looseness in our electronic live set into the new record.” The result is a dramatic step forward. Fior Fiero takes on more expansive structures, looser, fluid drum programming, and a raw, dynamic feel.

“Satellite,” the title track and single, evolves from a simple melody into an Eno-esque, silver-toned wash of guitar, propelled by reverberated 80’s drums, stacked loops and abstract, whirling synths. “Butterscotch” is the kind of song that goes with any mood; it’s an uptempo electro-rocker, incorporating acoustic guitar and shaker to counterbalance the driving synth-bass line and neurotic melodies.

“Shadowboxer”’s spare jazz chords and distant melodies evoke equal parts LA noir, bedroom R&B, empty nightclubs and vacant highways. “So Close,” a studio creation, develops through a series of calls and responses between guitar, synth, bass and drums.

Last year it was a hypnotic alternate soundtrack to Beverly Hills Cop. This year it’s a brief splash of cool water on your face. Perhaps the change in sound is also due to the change in location: after many months of touring with DSOTC, Thomasson and Panella left sunny California permanently for the city of Philadelphia. The duo recorded The Satellite EP in January 2007 out of their frigid east coast sublet. Auger Down Records will release the EP on August 28, 2007.

Praise for Dark Side of the Cop:
“Like an eerier version of the Postal Service…” - Magnet Magazine
“CD Reviews Top Pick, June 2006” - Babysue.com
“(The album) will snuggle up to college radio stations across the continent. 4 out of 5” -Tangible Sounds
“4 out of 5” -Leonard’s Lair (UK)
“Criminally underappreciated.” - 30music.com
“4/5 Stars” – PitchforkMedia.com song review: “Shaky Little Rules”

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