WHO - WHAT - WHERE - WHEN - HOW?
Q: What kind of name is Ex?
Ex: It's one I chose for myself to describe, partially, my experience through life. The term means "out of" or "free from" or "without" or "outside." It basically reflects how I feel about my relationship with a lot of things. (I am NOT a football player for the Philadelphia Eagles who has a nickname that's similar).
Q: What could be said about your musical style?
Ex: Well, I was influenced by Neil Young, John Lennon, Stevie Winwood, Joni Mitchell, Stephen Stills, Peter Gabriel, early King Crimson, ELP, 60's psychedelic rock, early Black Sabbath (guitar, drums, bass, vocals), Pete Townshend, XTC, Eric Clapton, Chuck Berry, Willie Dixon, Robert Johnson, Keith Richards, Bach, Chopin, and Mozart, among many others, in no particular order. I write songs that could fit into several different categories. The "Oh, Hear It Comes" CD is basically rock/pop with some experimental material. With "If You See K..." I started off making it all blues influenced songs to give out at the Chicago Blues fest in 2004, but then added some non-blues songs to balance it out a little bit.
Q: Who plays with you on the recordings -- your CD's?
Ex: On "Oh,Hear It Comes" I played with Donna Brown (vocals/guitar), Scott Clark (vocals/bass), Adam (guitar) and Steve (drums). But, on "If You See K..." it's me with the assistance of modern technology.
Q: Where are you performing?
Ex: I've sung at NEVIN'S LIVE in Evanston, GRANDPA'S in Glenview, the ABBEY PUB in Chicago, DURTIE NELLIES in Palatine, CJ ARTHUR'S in Wilmette, among other places recently. I usually play at venues when it's an open stage and I'm in the mood. I also play and have played recently at private functions and other venues for 3 sets of covers and original songs.
Q: What do you write about?
Ex: Mostly love, it's opportunities, it's absence, or it's consequences. I don't think I've written any songs about cars. Well, maybe the word car is in a song or two.
Q: How do you feel about performing?
Ex: It's compelling. I am drawn to it like a moth to flame. It's exciting but can be damaging. Sometimes I don't know if I should sing one song or another because it's painful to perform certain songs that reveal real truth and pain in my life. Most people who go out to hear music want something upbeat and fun, and my music may not be that for them. So, while it may be difficult for me to perform, it is also difficult not to perform and release these contained emotions musically. Maybe it's not unlike a romantic relationship. That said, I play both soft soulful tunes and hard driving electric crazy tunes.
Q: What are some of the most memorable but recent comments?
Ex: One girl said after I played a soft and slow song, "That's beautiful! But, depressing...could you play something more upbeat?" I play upbeat and danceable music too. It's just that lately my solo performances have tended to be quieter but that is changing to me performing more high energy songs now. Someone else said, "You're the guy with the hyphen in the web page, I remember you." Another guy shouted out "It's Fred UPS." Those were funny comments. One guy told me to stop playing 8 minute songs because crowds today don't have the patience to listen that long. I'm not sure that's true. I suppose it depends on the song. The truth is I write for me, but I play what I write for you, whether it's over 7 minutes ("If You See K...") or only 60 seconds ("Hey Baby! Blues").
Q: Where do you get your inspiration?
Ex: I was recently asked that by a fellow musician. I didn't quite know how to answer it. I mean, these songs are written from my true life emotions and reactions mostly to real events, or some imagined craziness, put into words and music. When I perform them I usually relive those same emotions which I find very interesting in itself.
Q: What else do you have to say for yourself, anything?
Ex: Well, lots more, but thank you self for interviewing me.
Biography of Fred-Ex
Fred-Ex began playing music as a small boy when he hit a piano bench and metal lampshades with coat hangers to mimic a drum set, drum sticks, and cymbals. Fred-Ex started his first band performing at grade school talent shows as a drummer. Fred-Ex began writing songs on the piano. One day in high school, a music teacher heard Fred-Ex playing piano and invited him to study classical music. Fred-Ex studied classical guitar and percussion for 3 years. He played Bach's violin concerto in A minor on xylophone accompanied by a small orchestra his senior year in high school.
Fred-Ex moved to California from Ohio to study jazz and blues guitar at the Guitar Institute of Technology. From time to time and he would play on Hollywood Boulevard for beer money. In Hollywood, he lived amongst many prostitutes, drug addicts, cockroaches, and celebrities. When someone was shot on his street he moved back to Ohio to finish college.
In college, Fred-Ex directed, played, recorded all parts for, and produced a music video. The song, “Oxford, Ohio” received local airplay on the commercial radio station WOXY-FM. He was interviewed by the school newspaper and on the radio. The song was a minor anthem among several students at his college and he performed it at parties, concerts, and bars. Also in college Fred-Ex created, produced, staffed, and hosted his own comedy TV cable show. After college, Fred-Ex moved to Boston and played locally in two bands. He temporarily slowed down performances and music until 2003, for a marriage, kids, and a law degree.
In 2003 Fred-Ex released “Oh, Hear It Comes” on CD from earlier studio and rehearsal recordings. Due to the success of that release, he recorded and played all the instruments on his next CD “If You See K….” released in 2004. This CD was even better received and included a very popular song “I Got The Blues.” In 2005, he released a compilation CD “Why An Ex” with a newly recorded version of a crowd favorite “Do You Love Me Love Like I Love You” as well as some highlighted earlier recordings. The songs from “Why An Ex” can be played on his web site: www.fred-ex.com.
Today, Fred-Ex ventures out into Chicago’s heat and cold to perform consistently at many local establishments including: DURTIE NELLIES in Palatine; NEVIN'S LIVE in Evanston; PRESSURE BILLIARDS & CAFÉ in Chicago; GRANDPA'S in Glenview; THE GROVE in Glenview; BILL'S BLUES in Evanston; the ABBEY PUB in Chicago; and CJ ARTHURS in Wilmette.
Ask anyone who has witnessed his live appearances and they might say that his performances unleash great personal energy through driving beats, unique chord changes, immediate lyrics, and passionate ballads. The crowd response has been impressive. In a short period of time, Fred-Ex has been hired to play at various venues and received radio airplay in Chicago. For example, “I Got The Blues” has been played on WXRT and Q101 in Chicago. In addition, Fred-Ex has been interviewed on Local 101 on Q101.
In addition to his own songs, Fred-Ex performs unique and creative renditions of some songs from his favorite influences such as: Neil Young, The Rolling Stones, Steve Winwood, and John Lennon, among others. Please note: Fred-Ex likes to drink ale, smoke a blue tobacco pipe, and talk to females.
Fred-Ex
P.O. Box 442
Glenview, IL 60025
847-571-3311
fred-ex.com