Following on from debut single “Live Together” and teaser Melbourne show at the start of August, Tim Rogers and Lance Ferguson have announced the release of Substance And Or Style, the first album from The Ferguson Rogers Process, to be released on Friday, November 15th via Impressed Recordings. Pre-save here.
As a further taster, they’ve just released a second single, “Dirty-Clean”. Leaning even more heavily into their take on Disco, it’s an indication of the glitter-in-the-gutter mind set behind the album. Urging us all to get off the sofa, Rogers reminds that you that to get things done, one just needs to get in amongst it and not worry about the mess that ensues. Because, as he puts it, “the sink is your shrink”. Download/stream here.
Rogers and Ferguson both felt it was well overdue to make music again. After first meeting and hitting it off backstage at a Melbourne concert they sparked off each other with numerous favourite records in common. A short time later Rogers guested on The Bamboos track “I Got Burned” in 2012, which then went on to become one of the biggest Australian tracks of that year. Two sold out national tours and an acclaimed album (The Rules Of Attraction) ensued. But when the two of them finally reconnected, the new music that came together didn’t feel right sitting under the Tim Rogers & The Bamboos banner. The literal instance that the name The Ferguson Rogers Process came to mind, and was swiftly settled upon, was captured on camera (and you can see it here), with Tim and Lance talking just before a photoshoot. Drawing on different touchstones than The Bamboos, The Ferguson Rogers Process is where Disco discovers that it can get dirty, and Rock finds its groove.
“It’s kind of funny how we ended up calling this thing we do a “Process””, says Ferguson, “as mostly I’m not so concerned with any sort of particular creative process, it’s just always: “get this record finished by any means necessary. I like to think that “The Process” in this case is hopefully what happens when someone experiences the music.” They are both confident the album will have longevity. “I hope it ends up soundtracking some wild times. I’ve spent the last 30 years+ involved in making music with the primary purpose of inducing humans to move with reckless, rhythmic abandon. Why stop now?”
Rogers was just waiting for the call. “Apart from noodling for catfish and practicing my four-seam fastball, dancing is my favourite clothes-wearing activity, so when Lance called me on the Boo-phone and told me he had ten songs written with the express intention of being dance songs I jumped like Catfish Hunter to the lil’ red desk and got writing. Immediately.”
Memories of highly enjoyable (and yes, at times wild) times was the other ingredient that pulled Rogers and Ferguson back into making music again, after having a ball together on the road. Some of the same Bamboos players that travelled on their tours twice around the country didn’t need to be asked twice to join the live FRP band.
All ten songs on Substance And Or Style were produced by Ferguson, and aside from long-time Bamboos member Graeme Pogson (also a central member of Melbourne Boogie outfit, Mondo Freaks) on drums and percussion, Ferguson played all instruments across the album. The album was recorded, mixed and mastered by long time Ferguson studio partner, John Castle, who has his own remarkable studio resume working on music by Alex Lahey, Cub Sport, Vance Joy and many more.
Style And Or Substance is the first full album project released by Impressed Recordings. Impressed have swiftly made a name for themselves releasing beautifully packaged vinyl releases from a carefully curated and fast growing list of predominantly Australian artists for Australian music lovers, with releases from the likes of Royal Otis, Sycco, The Terrys, Phoebe Go, Dice, Full Flower Moon Band, Kian, Ziggy Ramo, and the recent comeback single by Jet.
“Impressed Recordings are honoured to provide a home for The Ferguson Rogers Process”, said Managing Director Luke Bevans. “This is our first ‘proper’ signing to the label, and we’ve pulled on our oft-neglected dancing shoes to celebrate. “Who Dares Wins…Who Dares Cares…” through fate or serendipity, Tim & Lance have provided us with our own mantra, and we’ll do our best to uphold it. It’s a privilege for them to join the label.”
Style And Or Substance will be released across three limited edition coloured vinyl variants as well as CD, cassette and digital.
THE FERGUSON ROGERS PROCESS
SUBSTANCE AND OR STYLE
RELEASED 15TH NOV ON IMPRESSED RECORDINGS
Pre-orders and more info at www.thefergusonrogersprocess.com
