The Fauntleroys: Below the Pink Pony EP

Four esteemed musician friends that share a bit of common history and influences link up, record some tunes, and release a subsequent album. Sounds like a familiar supergroup refrain, correct? There’s been a lot of that type of collaboration lately, with the results varying along the spectrum of spectacular, to so-so, to downright forgettable. This fall, the Fauntleroys come along into the mix, not so much a supergroup (although their members are certainly well-known within musical circles, if not universally) as it is a celebration of uniquely seasoned rock-and-rollers coming together to unwind and celebrate a shared perspective. On the rating scale outlined above, they come pretty close to the spectacular range.

The band name, a nod to sartorial splendor, is certainly appropriate, as members Alejandro Escovedo, Ivan Julian, Nicholas Tremulis, and Linda Pitmon could easily moonlight at models at the John Varvatos store located down the street from the East Village studio they utilized for recording. In addition to fashion sensibilities, the four also possess a shared musical vision, and have the seasoned chops to showcase it in spades. Escovedo, more known as a folk troubadour these days, hearkens back to his glam-punk roots in this setting (and handles bass playing duty), which blend together nicely with Julian’s past guitar heroics in Richard Hell’s Voidoids. Tremulis, a soulful songsmith whose been kicking around for close to 30 years, and Pitmon, a virtuosic drummer whose been featured with Zuzu’s Petals, Miracle 3, and the Baseball Project, complete the raucous union of musicianship, and help propel this energetic six-song set along to great heights. Featuring five original, blistering tunes, and one knockout cover of the Incredible String Band’s “Chinese White”, Below The Pink Pony EP, fires along at a fevered pace.

All raw nerve, frenetic energy, and inspiration, it’s the sound of a group confident in its playing, trusting in their surroundings, and eager to let loose. It’s a testament to many years on the road and inside studios, a document of a longstanding mutual admiration, and hopefully a harbinger of more to come as the Fauntleroys have captured a sound that begs to be heard again and again, regardless of the other projects with which its four members will surely be involved.