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LifeMusicMedia - “De-Sex Your Ex” EP review - DEC 3rd 2011
Written by Ben Connolly.
So this world’s a pretty fucked up and funny place, eh? Apparently so, according to Brisbane’s chief shit-stirrer Evil Eddie, better known as the cheeky protagonist for fringe hip hop-come-heavy outfit Butterfingers, who is now on the cusp of releasing a debut solo effort Welcome To Flavour Country. The first two singles “Queensland” and “(Somebody Say) Evil” drew shots across the bow in terms of what was being offered. The third single from the album, “De-Sex Your Ex”, has ‘Evil’ (known to his Mum as Eddie Jacobson) wielding the same caustic tongue as before, this time with a wilting attack on how to deal with relationship breakdowns. Stylistically this is not a million miles away from the band offerings, although the verses do hint at an as-yet unmined indie-pop attitude. The semi-cutesy acoustic guitars get stomped on by fuzzed out electrics for the choruses, however, and the hook-driven vocal is primed to once again prick the ears of the standard target market. The revelation in the press release that Evil took a DIY approach to the recording by manning all the instruments bar the kit deserves a noted hat-tip – so he’s not just the smart-arse with a sarcastic tongue? The other tracks on the single (or EP, depending on the definition) hint of what’s to come from promised album – more of what Butterfingers fans can’t seem to get enough of: a mash-up of straight hip hop, loopy dub and harder-edged guitar pop. “In It For The Money”, for example, could easily be slotted into a myriad of swaggering 90s revisited post rock opuses currently hitting the marketplace. It’s an angry, cathartic and bittersweet tome which is included almost as a contrary viewpoint: this is not just hip hop. Two songs later and “Fuck A War” follows this same path, although the trite lyrics are possibly dated and missing the mark a tad. There’s a solid nod towards the uncompromising viewpoints of bands like Sublime and the early No Doubt, but it lacks the confrontational conviction and credibility. Other tracks on this single are a strange dancehall dity “Unsustainable Orbit” which relies a little too heavily on older-skool looped samples, and a bland remixed version of the title track which neither adds nor detracts from the original. A good offering overall, but hardly a show-stopper for an album which has seemingly been in the “forthcoming” category for an age.
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Luna Magazine - “De-Sex Your Ex” EP review - OCT 4th 2011
By Thomas Gillespie
There is something about Evil Eddie Jacobson that is equally endearing and irritating. As the foul-mouthed, quick-witted frontman of genre-benders Butterfingers, he displayed examples of verbal juxtaposition, going from cocky larrikin to self-deprecating loser within the space of a song. With the band on ‘presumed hiatus’, Mr Eddie has taken it upon himself to do all the work
But as it should be with any solo album, this isn’t just a Butterfingers album; Eddie has played all the instruments himself to affirm that it is indeed his work. Still, it’s unclear as to what direction he really wants to go in, with different elements being thrown all over this release, and it does become a little confusing.
There are indeed elements of the sound that made him famous. The title track De-Sex Your Ex is a humorous rock tune about making sure past spouses don’t reproduce, and there are enough stupid lyrics to keep this in your playlist for at least two months. It may be sung oddly instead of rapped, but lines like, “De-Sex your Ex / Instead of guessing who they get with next / Follow through with a voodoo hex / Do it for your self-respect” are up there with anything out of ‘Breakfast at Fatboys’ and ‘The Deeper you Dig…’
However, that is where the piss-take effectively ends. The next three tracks take a far more serious tone, with the occasional light-hearted jab inserted. Second track ‘In It for the Money’ may be talking about working in show business, but you wouldn’t know as the production pushes Eddie’s vocals into the background in place of aggressive nu-metal riffing. Jacobson also decides against his trademark Aussie hip-hop vibe for a slick reverbed melody, and the result is a very pleasing track.
The EP takes another right-turn with ‘Unsustainable Orbit’ an instrumental sampled hip-hop track with a funky surf vibe. While it doesn’t make much sense within the context of the previous two tracks, there is merit in this effort to expand horizons.
And with final (non-remixed) track ‘Fuck A War’ Jacobson channels his angry political side, with a flurry of Tom Morello-esque riffs and angry rapping lyrics. It sounds a little dated of course, but fans go to see Evil Eddie for a hit of nostalgia, making this all the more effective.
If ‘De-Sex your Ex’ has proven nothing else, it is that Jacobson has more dimensions to him than just Butterfingers, and it shows over four strong, if schizophrenic songs, and for that he needs credit. It’s hard to change a winning formula, and even harder to make it successful, but Evil Eddie does it again through hating war, going into orbit and genital mutilation. Standout tracks: ‘De-Sex your Ex’, ‘In It for the Money’ Summary: A lot of different sounds and little in the way of content control, but there are a few laughs and some serious head banging on this solid EP. Fuck he’s good, just ask him!
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The Spotlight Report - “De-Sex Your Ex” EP review - SEP 22nd 2011
Written by thespotlightreviewer.
Evil Eddie, or just Evil as he is affectionately known by his ex-girlfriends, hails from our northern climes (ie. Queensland) and is somewhat of a multi instrumentalist – following in the footsteps of Prince and Dave Grohl – by recording all of the instrumentation himself (except for the drums apparently). Honing his musical skills from his previous band, Butterfingers. De-Sex Your Ex is relationship advice cleverly disguised in a rock song – a rather catchy rock song – though lyrically it is somewhat confronting, so discretion is required, especially if you watch the video. Evil Eddie has produced somewhat of a mixed bag with the songs on this EP – second track In It For The Money is a much heavier offering. Unsustainable Orbit is a cocphony of samples on top of a bouncy hip-hop beat. F**k A War is reminiscent of Rage Against The Machine and 28 Days and very much a passionate anti-war anthem. De-Sex Your Ex is out now on Bewilder Beats.
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News Unlimited - Live Review - X&Y Bar (Brisbane) - FEB 25th 2011
Words: Betina Dale
Evil Eddie kicked of his first East Coast tour away from Butterfingers in his own stomping ground of Fortitude Valley at the X&Y Bar. As soon as the doors opened the place was descended on by an eclectic mix of fans from young to old.
While the support bands warmed up the crowd with their almost Rastafarian-inspired grooves, Evil Eddie mingled among the growing audience, happily chatting to the punters. As the smaller area in front of the stage started to fill, the onslaught that is Evil Eddie was imminent.
The writhing crowd spared no lung capacity in making him feel welcome on his home soil. Even with only one single and no EP released yet, the crowd were right into it from the first song. A host of new songs were belted out. The energy onstage between Evil Eddie and his live counterpart SpitfireLiar was intense, as every move was mirrored by the other in perfect harmony that could only be compared to something as strangely hypnotic as synchronised swimming. Each of them bouncing off the other band members and continuing to up the ante.
The new release song “Fuck a War” was unveiled on the Evil Eddie website to fans a few days before the first show and received an outstanding reception. And with true Evil Eddie style (ringing true from his Butterfingers days), the show consisted of songs and lyrics that were brutally honest, undoubtedly catchy and very very tongue in cheek. Another crowd favourite was the song“De-sex your Ex”. And as the punters grew more wild, a Cypress Hill cover was what tipped them over the edge as they sung along and jumped in unison.
Butterfingers were far from left out with songs like “Yo Mama”, “Figjam”, “Hook Up” and “Get up outta the Dirt” making an appearance. This obviously pleased the crowd who proved that a number of them have followed their nose from Butterfingers to track Evil Eddie in his solo endeavours as well.
But what really brought the house down was Evil Eddie’s first single (number 86 in Triple J’s 2010 Hottest 100), “Queensland”. There was cheering, chanting and jumping and also plenty of arse shaking… especially during the line “Show your back to us // Shake that Gluteus Maximus // Hey!”. With Evil Eddies stage presence combined with his contagious energy, he is surely on the fast track to becoming a force to be reckoned with in the very near future. Lookout for his debut album tentatively titled “Welcome to Flavour Country”.
You can catch Evil Eddie playing in Queensland on Saturday 30th April at the Runaway Bay Tavern or On Sunday 1st of May at the Caxton St Seafood and Wine Festival in Paddington.
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LiveGuide.com - Live Review - The Gaelic Club (Sydney) - FEB 19th 2011 By Liveguide Contributor - Eliorah Malifa
I love Hip Hop. Australian Hip Hop however is something that I have had to have an open mind towards. Though I have my misgivings, Australia’s interpretation of the genre is incremementally opening my eyes to another way of viewing the music I love. Enter Evil Eddie, whose debut single ‘Queensland’ has been getting steady rotation on Triple J as far back as December. I caught Eddie’s Sydney gig at The Gaelic Club.
Evil Eddie and his band consisting of backbone members of Butterfingers played a decent set musically. If I am being honest I do not entirely agree with Eddie’s lyrical content. And because of that, I’m mildly put off. As far as I’m aware some of his songs are about almost nothing at all, if not solely about vulgarity. What saves him is the production of his music, especially in the live atmosphere.
His beats and melodies are incredibly catchy, which may go some way to explain why ‘Queensland’ made it to number one on Triple J’s Super Request show. To this end, a chorus that repeats the same word or catch phrase is super-easy to remember and is used repeatedly throughout Evil Eddie’s music as well.
All negativity aside [again], Eddie’s set did move me, physically. Like the tune for ‘Queensland’ the drums and bass was always pumping a danceable beat and managed to get the crowd jumping. I noticed a move towards singing as Eddie sung two originals while playing the guitar. Both of these leaned towards Punk-Rock/Alternative. Eddie’s got a decent voice and looks pretty comfortable behind a mic, sangin’. In fact, he seems more comfortable there than rapping. Who’s to know where he’ll be down the road.
The crew then got back on the grind with some more jumping and hyping of the crowd. Eddie paid homage to Cypress Hill halfway through the set which had me appreciating. What I was really waiting for however was the single that has him on this East Coast Tour to begin with. ‘Queensland’ was played as the second to last song of the set and had the crowd yelling ‘Queeenslaaaand’ in the distorted way it comes across on the track.
I am not the biggest Evil Eddie fan. I have, however come to a greater understanding of the man and his music. If you already are into what he has to offer, you will get into his live show, if you were harder to convince, I would encourage you to give the dude a chance. His album Welcome To Flavour Country is set to drop in April. Queeeeenslaaaaand.
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LifeMusicMedia -Live Review - Woodford Folk Festival - Dec 30th 2010 Kenada Quinlan
Following the licensed streets, the once closed Amphitheatre is showing tonight and as the clock strikes 8pm, Evil Eddie is on schedule. Interaction with the 10 row deep bouncing spectators is initiated with the first instalment of ‘Somebody Say Evil’. “That was a little self-indulgent but thank you!” smiles the lead man and ex-Buttefingers vocalist/songwriter Eddie Jacobson. Taking a back seat yet pivotal to the performance, Jacobson enjoys the company of his fellow comrade Toddy Spitfire as the two slickly pinball lyrics from one song to the next.
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FasterLouder.com - Live Review - Peats Ridge Festival - Dec 29th 2010
...Complete with cardboard clouds and legit hot air balloons, Angus & Julia Stone brought a very cute set-up to the mainstage. They also brought the breezy, carefree and downright lovely sound which has lead them to such great success in 2010 with their second album Down the Way. Naturally, the album took the lion’s share of the set, from the stirring Hold On and Black Crow to the breadwinners that are And The Boys and Big Jet Plane – each received strongly and performed soundly. Generating the biggest crowd of the day, the intimate intricacies of the sound is occasionally a little lost in translation. Still, the Stone siblings are not about to give a phoned-in performance. Though they might not have been the best act of the day, they certainly showed their audience how far they have come – and how far yet they may still go.
After going AWOL in 2007 following Butterfingers’ second album, reportedly suffering from writer’s block and working in a factory, Evil Eddie has resurfaced as a solo artist with a slab of new material set for release in 2011 – and his audience at Peats Ridge were the first to hear it played live. Evil Eddie is 110% back and as good as ever. The new tracks feature smarter rhymes, tighter grooves and a better understanding of the multiple genres Butterfingers had a crack at in their time. He also thankfully hasn’t forgotten about his past. As well as including Butterfingers founding member Olly Thomas in his live band, Eddie also jams out old favourites like Yo Mama as well as a medley of Get Up Outta the Dirt, Hookup and Figjam, much to the crowd’s approval. Wrapping up with his new single Queensland Jacobson has got everything working in his favour leading into the new year – this set was devilishly good fun.
Had anyone stumbled past the Underworld tent at around one in the morning, they might have thought sleep deprivation was the cause of the imagery put before them: a tiny Asian girl dancing next to a six-foot-eight bassist with a thick bush beard, himself locked into the groove of an androgynous female drummer with a Jerry Only haircut, surrounded by musicians lead by a tiny black-haired stick figure with a penchant for dancing.
The scene was very, very real, however. Laneous and the Family Yah are a Brisbane collective with funk in truckloads and the kind of party-starting jams no DJ could ever compare to. This is a band that lives, thrives and survives on the beating pulse of their music, throwing everything they know about rock, pop, hip-hop, reggae, soul and the selected works of Prince into one psychedelic wash of unstoppable fun. Everyone present felt involved in something special as the Family Yah bounced about and proudly exposed the crazier side to Peats that came out once everyone else had gone to bed.
Two back-to-back sets from some underground Brisbane royalty was the perfect way to end day one, but the best thing about the first day was the eclecticism on offer. From laid-back acoustic stylings to savage psycho-funk and back, one could already tell that this was going to be a very fun couple of days.
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Rave Magazine - 'Queensland' Single Review - Dec 14 2010
EVIL EDDIE – Queensland (Bewilderbeats/MGM)
It’s pretty rare to hear an Australian rapper talk about the place in a way that anyone who isn’t in a hip hop crew would recognise. (Who calls Brisbane ‘Boomtown’ anyway?) But Evil Eddie from Butterfingers knows Queensland. Mosquitoes and venomous animals and the liveability of Brisbane are all topics that will have you nodding in recognition even if you aren’t nodding to the guitars or the shouty “Show your back to us / Shake that gluteus maximus” bit. It’s a shame Eddie sounds like he’s re-hashing Figjam with some new lyrics for half the song, then. Fans of Butterfingers will be relieved that, if this solo project does spell the end of that band, the replacement is already here and sounding similar enough.
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Sunshine Coast Daily - Article - Dec 5th 2010
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Courier Mail - Article - Nov 22nd 2010
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