My dad has occasionally told me stories about his teenage years of the late 60's and early 70's in northern California.  One story he's mentioned is about infamous motors that inhabited a variety of cars young men and women drag raced on the weekends.  Some of these infamous motors were so reliable and strong that they could be put in almost any vehicle, and still not lose.  In the world of musicians Shane O'Malley Firek is to The Ferdy Mayne, what those motors were to the teenagers who embellished them.  He's been the only consistent member of the project, and has rebuilt the band multiple times with over 20 different members.  Through all of the iterations this band has produced, Firek has taken the role of the reliable and powerful motor pushing his band to winning speed, winning fans over one show at a time.  

The era of this analogy also fits due to his lyrical content and phrasing that is reminiscent of a Paul Simon or Bob Dylan type, where lyrical outpouring meets melody.  Firak surrounds his voice with a blend of spacey folk rock that can push more like a traditional rock song, I.E. "In the Thick of the Night", or more experimental like "Moonier".  But Firak's vocals and specific phrasing takes center stage on songs like "Roseanna" and my personal favorite "Slipping on Dimes".   

Firak and his band are currently on their way touring the brand new self titled album, cutting their teeth and avoiding pot holes, physical and metaphorical.  Their live set was just as impressive as the album, and I can't wait for them to come back to Columbus.