RANCHO FOLLY

OFFICIAL ELT SITE

2010-08-05T09:22:00.000-07:00

I won't be posting here no mores.

GOTO: http://eatonlaketonics.co.nr

-Tony F

REVIEW OF "RANCHO FOLLY IV"

2009-12-07T10:33:00.000-08:00

Good mate, Cole Hill wrote a biographic piece on Eaton Lake Tonics frontman, Tony Ferraro; enjoy!

Business Gets Better
Wednesday, 02 December 2009 by COLE GARNER HILL

With an author's love of wordplay and keen eye for gritty details, 26-year-old Eaton Lake Tonics frontman Tony Ferraro draws inspiration from "dude-lit," writers such as Charles Bukowski, Jack Kerouac, and John Fante. Whether Ferraro is floating into the sunset and arriving "at the coast of milk and granite" or crooning about Jesus "bleeding dry with his dead and golden eyes," the singer-songwriter offers up symbolic prose that paints bizarrely evocative and powerful scenes. He's captivated by all of the possibilities inherent in writing about different characters. It's a passion that serves some of the best tracks on his band's new album, Rancho Folly IV.
Ferraro moved to Fort Worth from his North Dallas birthplace when he was 8, sliding from one town to the next in the Mid-Cities with his parents and two younger brothers. Half Italian and all Catholic, Ferraro grew up with religion. But eventually his family quit attending church, and Ferraro began to see religion as "full of more questions than answers."

At 14, he got a job at a Domino's Pizza and became quick friends with a co-worker, future ELT bass-player David Howard. With the new friendship came this "thing," something foreign and new: old-school-ish punk rock. Ferraro had never heard anything like it before. Propagandhi, Face to Face, Jawbreaker, NOFX - these strange men writhing in perverse pleasure across stages and shouting throughout three-chord anthems became influential saints. The newly discovered genre had such an impact on Ferraro that its penchant for experimentation, spotlighting frayed edges (pickup squeals, crunching distortion), and rowdy sense of humor now feed the core of the Eaton Lake Tonics' melody-driven, alt-folk leaning, explorative indie rock.
Ferraro and Howard soon started a band. Named Feeler after the discarded original title of "Hell Above Stars Below" by The Toadies, the duo shared bills with the likes of Whiskey Folk Ramblers' drummer Trey Ownby and Chat Room co-owner Ben Rogers. Like most young bands, the group dissolved almost as quickly it formed. By 17, Ferraro had put down his guitar and picked up drugs. Partying more than he studied, Ferraro eventually dropped out of college by age 20.

Influenced by Howard, Ferraro continued educating himself after dropping out, devouring the works of literary fiction that now inform his songwriting.
Eventually, the two old friends began playing together again. Recruiting Jonathan Losasso on drums, Howard and Ferraro recorded the first Eaton Lake Tonics album in 2005. An uneven mix of rock 'n' roll and country, the work failed to establish the band's sound or identity.
Then Ferraro got serious. A year later, with an almost entirely different backing band, Ferraro and Howard recorded a new record: the "crybaby" opus, Long Arm Days. Soon ELT were playing the local scene two or three nights a week. That frequency, however, did more harm than good, Ferraro said. The group quickly found that it was oversaturating Fort Worth's indie market. Howard stepped back, while Ferraro went on. He recorded Eaton Lake Tonics' third full-length, Bernadina, in 2007. The band had essentially become a solo project. The moniker was maintained for the sake of longevity.

Now with the release of Rancho Folly IV - an allusion to John Fante's home, "Rancho Fante" - the Eaton Lake Tonics are more than just a name. With all three original members from the first album on board and with the addition of RTB2's Ryan Thomas Becker on guitar, ELT are a real band again. That much is obvious in the album's soaring production quality. In sprawling, fully realized indie-rock gems such as "John Fogerty" and in the rollicking, pop-conscious ambushes of "Barbara" and "Business Just Gets Bad," the Eaton Lake Tonics achieve a big, catchy sound without sacrificing any of the dynamics that make the music such a consistently rewarding return.

The album evolved over three recording sessions in Ferraro's home studio in Fort Worth. From basic elements written by Ferraro over the course of about two years, the songs were tightened and polished via a collaborative writing effort. All of the initial recordings were scrapped -- they were too entrenched in the "lo-fi indie aesthetics" that had defined the band's previous releases, Ferraro said.

But the singer-songwriter sees challenge as part of the fun, which explains why seven of the album's songs came from Chat Room co-owner Brad Hensarling's nudging to write 10 songs in 10 days. It also might explain why a larger search for meaning, mainly through a changing cast of characters, persists in many of the lyrics.

Intent on capturing the kind of rambunctious live energy that demands feverish guitar-dueling and howling in pleasure at tempo changes, the group returned its original regular producer, Mark Hubal. In one week, the band quickly nailed down the album's tracks in the foyer of Hubal's window-tinting business in Watauga. Reconciling Ferraro's punk and classic-rock roots with his ambitions for a colossal, professional sound, Rancho Folly IV is the current high-water mark from a band whose potential continues to rise.
Ferraro also has already written nine new songs loosely based on John Fante's works. He's also back at school comparing the finer points of Hamlet to The Glass Menagerie. He's studying English every other semester at a local college to further his ambitions with the band. "We've had a lot of fun," said Ferraro with a sigh. "I don't really expect much to happen. I'm truly happy with the record."

REVIEW OF "RANCHO FOLLY IV"

2009-11-04T15:43:00.000-08:00

(appears in the Fort Worth Weekly Nov 4. issue)
by Ken Shimamoto

Prolific indeed is Eaton Lake Tonics frontman Domenic "Tony" Ferraro, who's already released two of this year's most intriguing local discs under his literary-inspired alias Bob Fante: Rancho Folly V and Proud Now American, the latter a split LP with The Ox Magnolia. Wouldn't you know, this ELT release might just be the best of the lot.

Eaton Lake Tonics, Rancho Folly IV (Self-released)

Though some of Ferraro's projects - particularly under the Fante rubric - might be resolutely lo-fi and DIY, it's still puzzling to many that this publication classifies his band as "avant-garde/experimental" around Music Awards time. First and foremost, Ferraro is a pop tunesmith of great facility. His catchiness is his signature strength. Sure, he might throw in a soupçon of dissonance here and there (always in the accompaniment, never in the actual melody), but that's just a red herring. Rancho Folly IV is as accessible a rock record as you'll hear this year.

Ferraro is not above recycling repertoire, either. "Business Just Gets Bad," the gorgeously anthemic "Monty and Lettie," "How To Get Out of My House," "John Fogerty," and "Barbara" all appeared on Rancho Folly IV, but here they are radically different - much more fully realized and powerful. The last two, in particular, are transformed into extended tours de force, courtesy mainly of his full band. The quaint charm of the Fante versions is replaced by an in-your-face immediacy, with interesting instrumental interplay between Ferraro and longtime collaborator Ryan Thomas Becker. Indeed, the new "Barbara" starts out sunshine-poppy and winds up sounding downright lysergic.

Vocally, Ferraro can't seem to wipe the wiseass smirk off his mug (think: Ben Folds or the guy from Green Day), but his music is smart and surprising enough to hold your interest through its myriad twists and turns. Cop via www.myspace.com/numericpiglatin.

link: http://www.fwweekly.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=2164:eaton-lake-tonics&catid=45:listen-up&Itemid=404

Tony Ferraro solo 10.25

2009-10-25T13:55:00.000-07:00

Last minute Tony Ferraro show at Lola's Sixth in Fort Worth tonight. 9:30p. Free show. Wear your drinking shoes. There will be copies of Eaton Lake Tonics' "Rancho Folly IV" available for sale.
XO

Eaton Lake Tonics shirts

2009-10-24T14:22:00.000-07:00

goto: eatonlaketonics.blogspot.com to check out the new Eaton Lake Tonics' shirts and schedule.

ELT facebooknz

2009-10-11T18:55:00.001-07:00

check Eaton Lake Tonics out on Facebook.
Eaton Lake Tonics

Promote Your Page Too

NEW SHOWS /// ALBUM DEVELOPMENT

2009-09-07T18:46:00.001-07:00

Go to the Moon Bar (2911 W Berry, Ftw) on September 19th, 2009. Eaton Lake Tonics are playing with Matthew Gray's solo project and Sugar Glyder. Greeat bands, great venue...
Also, know that we are shooting for a mid-October release date for "Rancho Folly IV" the new album from Eaton Lake Tonics.. check out some sample on their myspace page.

Peache.

Bob Fante and Eaton Lake Tonics at LOLA'S This Week

2009-08-17T21:37:00.000-07:00

This Thursday, August 20, Bob Fante will be playing a free show at Lola's Sixth with Taylor Craig Mills and Dave Matsler (from Sam Anderson and the Thriftstore Troubadors). And the very next night, Friday August 21, Eaton Lake Tonics will play at the Telegraph Canyon CD Listening Party in the very same place with Ryan Thomas Becker and Matthew Gray Delves.... These are very special shows. Come and enjoy your damn self.

REVERSE CUOMO

2009-08-09T14:22:00.000-07:00

Go to the Moon tonight. I started a new project: a Weezer B-Sides Tribute Band. We have Austin Green (Telegraph Canyon), Chris Gomez and Pat Adams (Whiskey Folk Ramblers) tonight... And in the true Weezer fashion, we will be alternating bass players. And we have all-star Dave Howard (ELT, MATAS) when he gets back into town....

Reverse Cuomo blogspot
Reverse Cuomo myspace

-Tony

New Bob Fante release!

2009-04-23T08:59:00.000-07:00

The Ox Magnolia (Caleb Gray from MATAS) have just finished a split LP, "Proud Now American". Available for free download here.

Rancho Folly V

2009-03-08T10:24:00.000-07:00

Download Bob Fante's "Rancho Folly V" here

GOOD SHOW PERFORMANCE!

2009-03-03T20:22:00.000-08:00

Our in-studio from 2009.02.28 is available from free download here......... <--click on the pebbles

Good Show Blooper

2009-03-03T13:58:00.000-08:00

Looks like the performance from 2.28.2008 is not available yet. Stay tuned.
It's okay to go to their website though, goodshow.net

Love, Work, 2nd-String Glory

2009-03-01T14:12:00.000-08:00

Couple quick things:

-Thanks for all the support so far, everyone. Big love to Josh and Dustin at City Tavern. Check out our live performance from Feb 28 on the Good Show, download the MP3 of the whole show there soon.

-Getting ready to go back in to the studio to pump out the rest of the new album, tentative release of early summer.

-Nice little note: Austin Green of Telegraph Canyon will be joining us on drums for our Friday, March 6th set at Lola's Sixth!

Working on the record

2009-02-15T21:47:00.000-08:00

We have joined forces once again with Mark Huebel again to record "Rancho Folly IV." So far so grand. The man has real knack for quality. We are hoping for wonderful things. Stay in touch and email us @ eatonlaketonics@gmail.com for free music from us....
Check out the Bob Fante release for free here

XOX
Tony

Slim Killers

2008-10-31T13:09:00.000-07:00

We have, on hand, a very limited number of copies of our Slim Killers EP.
This recording is more/less a preview of the new album until it is ready.
If you'd like one of these EPs mailed to you for $5, PayPal us at eatonlaketonics@gmail.com.
Thanks-Tony

TEXODUS SHOW!

2008-08-24T14:32:00.000-07:00

Big o' show this Saturday!

Dylan wants to give you some information about parking for this event. You've got several options:

1) Find a meter. The nearby meters are free after 6pm, so even if you get there for the start of the show, the most you'll have to pay for is 2 hours.

2) Find a paid lot. Most lots are $5-$8. If you carpool with a few friends, that's not too bad.

3) Ride the DART. I like this one, because you can save gas! You can park at any one of the Park & Ride locations and get off at Akard station. Opening Bell Coffee is on the corner of Akard & Pacific, a walk of about a block. For more info, go to www.dart.org.

Here's the info for Texodus once again:
Sat, Aug 30.
Dallas, TX
4PM - Midnight
Opening Bell Coffee (Mosaic)
www.openingbellcoffee.com/mosaic
Doug Burr, Ryan Thomas Becker, Eaton Lake Tonics, and more!
$15 Suggested Donation (if you don't have $15, we're not going to turn you away :)

Thanks for supporting independent music,

Dylan

Thanks, Part I

2008-08-20T09:11:00.000-07:00

We wanna thank everyone for coming to the page.
THIS IS A LINK TO A FREE DOWNLOAD OF OUR FIRST ALBUM, "BERNADINA."

1. Don't You Change
2. Canterville
3. Amarillo is for Lovers
4. Montie and Letty
5. Zhade
6. Fielder
7. It's So Simple
8. Money Highway Reds
9. Ascertainer Blues
10. (Tom, Dick, and Sinatra)
11. Bernadina
12. Word
(C) & (P) 2005 Dago Diego/Rancho Folly

ELT IV

2008-08-19T08:59:00.000-07:00

I know I said we've been working on album number 4 for a while but we haven't been. I lied. I'm a dirty sneak. Anyway, we are NOW. I swear. It'll be a good one. We're looking at a possible 10 to 12 tracks. It should be a 40-minute rock'n'roll record rather than the usual hodgepodge GBV/centro-matic style mess we cook up.
More news, updates, photos coming soon as we figure out how to use the internet....
In the mighty meantime, check out our favorite local homeboys/girls over there on the right in the BEST LINKS EVER section....