Welcome
Welcome to Fat Knuckle Freddy!
Fat Knuckle Freddy is a composer, guitarist and a bluesman. FKF composes and plays in many styles ie.Modern Classical, Ambient, American Primitive & Punk Blues. FKF at times utilizes 72 Equal Temperament when playing a fretless guitar or a fretted guitar with a slide. 72ET mimics nature's tuning (Just Intonation). The standard Western 12 notes are in 72ET too.
Fat Knuckle Freddy got his name when he broke and dislocated his fretboard pinkie at the middle knuckle. It's now the size of a thumb knuckle and points a few degrees outward. This gives FKF a little extra stretch on the fretboard but he mostly covers it with his stunning slide.
DIABULOUS AMBIENTIUM
New album Diabulous Ambientium is now available on Bandcamp.
Sonic soundscapes incorporating Frippertronics and Ligeti Sonic Nets.
What are Frippertronics? It's a delay style coined by Robert Fripp and was invented by composer Terry Riley. It originally had two tape decks linked together to create a record and playback delay of about 6-8seconds long. The original loops would fade away. I used a Pigtronix Infinity 2 Looper to mimic that kind of tape delay. The Infinity 2 has a decay knob in which loops fade away while recording. It's pretty awesome as the music constantly morphs and evolves.
Another big influence for this album is composer Gyorgy Ligeti. Ligeti created sonic nets with instruments playing note clusters at various rhythms and microtonal pitches. Check out his composition Atmospheres.
I used a fretless, sustainer guitar, specifically a Hamer Sustainiac from the 1990's. The music is composed in 72ET, 72 notes to an octave. The fretless guitar gives me the ability to play those notes and I also used a slide. The system of 72ET I used was invented by Boston composer Ezra Sims. It was taught to me by Joseph Gabriel Maneri at New England Conservatory in the late 1980"s.
Go to the link below to check out this wonderful new album.
FKF
https://fatknucklefreddy.bandcamp.com/album/diabulous-ambientium
The Dance Of The Capuchin Crypt
Check out a live video of "The Dance Of The Capuchin Crypt." It's tuned BF#BBF#B on a National M1 Tricone Baritone Resonator Guitar.
Review Of Corruption, Deceit, Murder by Aimsel Ponti
Check out this review in The Portland Press Herald!!
LIVESTREAM ALBUM RELEASE
Below is the video hosted by Blue of the album release of Corruption,Deceit, Murder. Available exclusively now on Bandcamp
CORRUPTION, DECEIT, MURDER: RELEASE & LIVESTREAM
Fat Knuckle Freddy is releasing a new album of solo, acoustic guitar instrumentals on 12/8/20 and exclusively via Bandcamp. The album is called Corruption, Deceit, Murder. It contains eight compositions which ends with the nineteen minute title track. The guitars used on the album are a Loar LH-300 Archtop and a National M1 Tricone Baritone Resonator. All tracks were recorded live and without overdubs.
Joe Sweeney from The Mainer reviewed and stated, "Corruption, Deceit, Murder is another showcase for his signature sound - rumbling bass lines anchoring intricate tenor melodies that wax and wane like a Harvest Moon, aglow with organic elegance. Fat Knuckle Freddy has slayed the misconception that one musician can only do so much."
There will be a livestream album release on 12/8/20 from 6-7pm EST hosted by Blue via Facebook . Please join or catch the post recording.
LIVESTREAM:
https://www.facebook.com/fatknucklefreddy
https://www.facebook.com/portcityblue
BANDCAMP REL;EASE:
https://fatknucklefreddy.bandcamp.com
New Release! Live At Amigos!
https://fatknucklefreddy.bandcamp.com/album/live-at-amigos
FKF released a 4 song EP on bandcamp. It's free! It was recorded and filmed at Amigos on 9/1/18. Since all shows were cancelled this year, FKF wanted to share what is was like to plays live on Amigos patio. Live music will be back but until then, enjoy some Amigos Demon Blues.
DEATH DON'T GET NO BLUES! CD RELEASE.
My latest recording, "Death Don't Get No Blues" is being released 11/16/19 at The Apohadion Theater in Portland, ME. This recording consists of 6 solo blues tunes for guitar and vocals. I used my national M1 Tricone Baritone for all 6 songs and recorded the vocals through a telephone microphone. The foot stomp was my foot stomping my old college theory book.
Topics include death, drug addiction, suicide and choking out the Devil. What more do you want in a blues record?
I will be joined by Samuel James, Jenny Lou Drew & D. Gross.
See you there. More information under shows.
-FKF
"Hitchcock," Mainer (The New Bollard) Review
Alfred Hitchcock Plays Guitar received a great and honest review in The Mainer.
"He shifts between the warmth of his finger-picking and the metallic wail of his slide, while using the baritone’s deep lows to frame every trip up the neck as a remarkably expressive journey. It’s just him, the whole time, yet Hitchcock is as rich and nuanced as a full-band effort.
Check out the full review below!!
LIVE ON 207, NBC!
"Sweet For Honey" live performance and interview on 207, WCSH6, Portland, ME. Copy link below into browser.
https://www.newscentermaine.com/article/news/local/207/207-music/cop-by-day-musician-by-night-fat-knuckle-freddy/97-68e0cc00-1037-4937-916d-76edd1140860
Previous events
Father's Day Weekend Blues! Normally the Naples Blues Festival is held on Father's Day Weekend but was cancelled for the second year. Rick's will be hosting us ate play some Graveyard Blues. Other bars in the area will be hosting bands as well. Come out to beautiful Naples in the Sebago Lake Region. Go to the lake for a swim or hike in the area then get your blues on. There's awesome hotels and B&B's too.
Blue will be hosting Fat Knuckle Freddy's new album release, Diabulous Ambientium. This will stream via Facebook Live. FKF will be playing a fretless, sustainer guitar through various effects while creating decaying ambient loops.The music uses 72 notes to an octave. Please join us in celebrating this new musical adventure. Link below. You can also just go to FKF's Facebook page that evening and watch.
Erin Harpe & The Delta Swingers at OLS w/s/g Fat Knuckle Freddy
One Longfellow Square, 181 State St., Suite 201, Portland, ME 04101
Fat Knuckle Freddy will be playing a solo set and opening for Boston's very own Erin Harpe & The Delta Swingers. FKF will play a range of music from American Primitive to Graveyard Blues. Instrumentals and songs. Tricones and shovels.
Fat Knuckle Freddy will hit the stage with Young Brett on drums from 9-930. Early show. Slamming, fast set. Check out Jill Koufman's art exhibit and the bands below.
Meanmugg [The Outsiders PBR | El Grande | Not30] Maine punk with roots rhythm & dub https://meanmugg.bandcamp.com
The Gala - US Boston punk/garage/rock 'n' roll http://www.thegala.us
Billy Midol Portland punk https://billymidol.bandcamp.com/
Fat Knuckle Freddy American primitive, avante-garde & psychobilly punk blues http://www.fatknucklefreddy.com
Art Exhibit Reception: Jill Koufman 6PM-8PM [FREE] 8:30 doors | 9PM show | $10 | 21+
"Death Don't Get No Blues" an EP of solo acoustic blues tunes played on a tricone baritone resonator guitar will be released. Songs deal with death, addiction, choking the devil, misfortune, and having fun.
Special guests are Samuel James, D. Gross and Jenny Lou Drew. FKF will open with a short set then will be joined on stage by the above for songs in the round.
$10 at door.
Doors 730pm.
Show 8-10pm.
Cigar Box Guitar building and playing will be featured Sunday morning, 10/6 at the 3rd Annual Maine Luthier's Showcase. Tome Dube will play at 10am and FKF at 11am. CBG luthiers Martin Tauber and Burton Philbrick will be displaying their builds and pickups. Expect 3 string cigar box and shovel guitars.
For more information.
http://hallowell.org/luthiers/?fbclid=IwAR2czAq6SDaUWOwPbtd_ggXU41xsSQJSuvbKMAHpU0OcWEu49UVEHtsPvfw
The end of The FKF Duo residency at Amigos. BB Webber on the drums. Never the same. Always an adventure.
A party not to be missed. Graveyard Blues. Demon Blues. Punk Blues. Booty Shakin', Foot Stompin' Blues.
FKF SOLO. American Primitive & Blues. Instrumentals & Songs.
FKF Duo residency at Amigos begins. Young Brett on the drums. Never the same. Always an adventure.
FKF Duo residency at Amigos begins. BB Webber on the drums. Never the same. Always an adventure.
FKF SOLO. American Primitive & Blues. Instrumentals & Songs.
FKF Duo residency at Amigos. Young Brett on the drums. Never the same. Always an adventure.
A party not to be missed. Graveyard Blues. Demon Blues. Punk Blues. Booty Shakin', Foot Stompin' Blues.
Maine's first Cigar Box Festival with the Maine Blues Festival. The CBG Fest will be located at the Naples Village Green. Performers are FKF, Tom Dube, Jimi Glenn & Ben Logan. FKF hits the stage at 3pm. Maine CBG builders, Marty Tauber & Steve Richard will be selling cbg's and accessories. Come on down to Maine's first CBG Fest!!!
El Grande CD Release with Sammy Kay and Fat Knuckle Freddy. Ska and Blues!!!
It's an early show. Post Old Port Fest!! 6:30pm Door & 7pm start. 7pm Fat Knuckle Freddy 8pm Sammy Kay 9pm El Grande
$10.
Fat Knuckle Freddy, Portland's own Graveyard Blues Duo, will be playing after the St. Paul & The Broken Bones Concert (Thompson Point) at Stroudwater Distillery. Bone Shakin', Foot Stompin' good time. Come by after the concert and keep the music and dancing going.
AMIGOS SUMMER DEMON BLUES SERIES I.
FKF Duo residency at Amigos begins. Young Brett on the drums. Never the same. Always an adventure.
FKF will be releasing a solo, instrumental guitar recording titled, "Alfred Hitchcock Plays Guitar.' All songs on a National M1 Baritone Tricone Guitar.
Opening at 8pm is Samuel James and D. Gross. After FKF's set, there could be a Death Match between FKF and Samuel James. Death Matches originated at Blue.
An evening of fantastic music that should not be missed. Price is pass the hat.
CD's available at show. Bullmoose Music. Downloads at www.bandcamp.com/fatknucklefreddy
FKF Duo with BB Webber on the drums. Opening will be D. Gross & Friends. 2 sets of rock n roll and demon blues.
An evening of great music.
Tickets $10 at door.
FKF SOLO!!! American Primitive & Blues. Instrumentals & Songs.
CD Release Show! "Alfred Hitchcock Plays Guitar" Solo American Primitive music on a National M1 Tricone Baritone.
Samuel James & D. Gross open the evening.
10pm: FKF 8pm: SJ & DG