Lost and Broken Hearted GCD 4151

News & Reviews NewsFlash!! 6/12/00

Hot off the press... Elwood Blues/aka Dan Akroyd has selected "Lies" from Strange Brew's Lost and Broken Hearted as his Pick-of-the-Week for the House of Blues Radio Hour. You can catch the show beginning July 5th on over 180 radio stations nationwide.

For more info about this exciting development, click here. To find the radio station in your area which carries the HOB Radio Hour, click here.

By Rege Behe For the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

Strange Brew blends talents of singer, ex-punk rock guitarist For the full story and photographs...

Encore Magazine 3/2000 Art Shuey, Reviewer

Punk pioneer guitarist Fran Rifugiato resurfaces in the blues/rockabilly pond for this one, joining forces with "Strange Brew," voted Pittsburgh's Best New Band in 1997. All eleven tunes are originals, penned either by Rifugiato alone or working with his frontline band partner, Marcy Eustace. I can't discern any punk influences on this record. It's mainsteam roots rock, certainly less adventurous than a Burnley Brothers live set, but that's fine. In fact, it's a relief. The "blue wave" movement flopped in the early '80s anyway. Lost And Brokenhearted is comfortable and familiar, much like the best work of the Duffy Bishop Band or the Soul Survivors. Now we know what it's similar to. What makes Lost And Brokenhearted different? It's sound has a harder edge to it than that of Strange Brew's peer bands. The recording technique leaves every instrument and voice wholly separate in the mix instead of intentionally or otherwise blending them. This creates a sharper, more aware listening environment and somehow gives the impression that these folks would be louder live than most blues bands. It also boasts a wise and tasteful vocalist in Marcy Eustace. She's got the trills, frills, growls and howls of a seasoned female blues singer down, but she neither mutes it so that the band can keep up nor overpowers her stagemates with what she can do with her microphone. A lot of modern blues recordings disappoint or distract because of mishandling of female vocals. Lost And Brokenhearted, by contrast, appropriately features them. Backing vocals are punchy and cleverly arranged throughout. Drums drive the songs. The bassist keeps the "play" in playing music on the record. Keys, percussion and flute emphasize from below when necessary, but remain silent where not needed. Rifugiato? Very, very nice SG tone, overdubs thoughtful and consistently different from basic guitar tracks. This is a nice one to own for party rotation, to prove to doubters that there really is a blues revival going on, and to amuse guests with well-crafted novelty lyrics, particularly to the eleventh Lost And Brokenhearted tune, "Itchin' Bitchin' Baby."

Blues On Stage Reviewed by Matt Alcott

By the name of this band, one can only assume that they were big fans of the English blues-rock band, Cream. On 11 original tracks, Strange Brew, voted Pittsburgh's Best New Band of 1997, earns its moniker and its coveted regional award by combining elements from American roots music with blues and rockabilly. Strange Brew features lead/back vocalist/percussionist/flutist Marcy Eustice and bluesy-with-a-punk-edge guitarist Fran Rifugiato, an established slinger on the New York City club scene during the 1970s. The rest of the group consists of bassist Joe Jeffries, drummer Mike "Sticks" Visnick, keyboardist/backing vocalist Al Snyder and back-vocalist Mike Faggioli. Think a rockin. Patsy Cline meets guitar slinger Joey Ramone and you will get an idea of what to expect from these Pittsburgh Steeler and Pirate locals. Best cuts: "Hill Top Blues," "I. ve Been Talkin. " and the closing "Itchin. Bitchin. Baby."