Photograph ©Lou Smith
Fat White Family, one of the Quietus’ total favourite new bands, producers of one of our top albums of last year, wielders of an irreverent and frequently stomach-churning way with song titles (‘Wet Hot Beef’ bears repeating, once again) and deliverers of an astoundingly good live show, the likes of which you’re unlikely to see bettered, have been invited to play SXSW in Texas, followed by a tour of the East Coast finishing in New York.
Sadly, though, their funds are a little on the withered side at the moment, so they’re urging people to tap their altruistic side and donate to help get the band across the pond. They’ve already achieved 33% of their goal, and we’d urge you to part with some sterling if you can afford to help them on their way. Additionally, pledge some cash and the band are offering a range of gifts in return, which include a few deal-sweeteners that go above the usual range: their "delights" include a "primal scream workshop with Lias", "dinner for two with The Fat White Family cooked by Nathan" and… a "special massage from any member of the band".
So if you’d like to open your hearts (and wallets) to the band, head to their Pledgemusic page, watch their video below and read singer Lias’ message after:
"Dearest Public,
"Opportunity has knocked at the door of the Fat White Family, yet due to our fiercely independent nature (and total absence of record company support) we at the moment cannot afford to answer it.
We have been invited across the Atlantic to play a string of shows at the SXSW music festival in Austin, Texas, followed by a tour of the eastern seaboard finishing up in New York City. Bands are not paid for playing this disgusting industry hoedown, and first time fees stateside will barely cover gas and the one motel room we are likely to share each night after the shows. Indeed, even as I write this in the bowels of the Queen’s Head on Stockwell Road, the only thing perpetuating my will to exist is a Sainsbury’s ‘Taste the Difference’ Spaghetti Bolognese I weighed in as potatoes at the self service check out (88p nice!).
"Alas, my budget for flying out to tour America currently stands at £3.47. With the rest of the group languishing in similar or worse financial hopelessness, we are turning to you, sisters and brothers, to fund our venture; don’t let those yanks go away thinking that all this country produces is middle of the road, safe as houses homogenised industry crap, send them the Fat White Family, make a difference, make a pledge….
"In return for your pledge we are offering ourselves up body and soul, for the next six weeks we are on sale. You can have the band come around to your house and cook you dinner, you can have any member of the band give you a special massage, you can purchase a 25-track limited edition anthology of rarities and B-sides, you can have us do some casual labour on your property, there is no low to which we shall not comfortably stoop; the future of bad taste is in your hands, don’t let it slide through your fingers and mucky your shoes.
Lias Saoudi"
