The third wave of ska throughout the ’90s was not complete without Orange County, California’s Save Ferris. Singer Monique Powell, guest vocalist in Reel Big Fish’s hit “She Has a Girlfriend Now” from the album Turn the Radio Off, has been focusing Save Ferris’ triumphant return to the stage while writing and rehearsing new and classic songs for upcoming records.
Save Ferris released its 5-song debut EP, Introducing Save Ferris, in 1996. The band was given a Grammy showcase award for best-unsigned band by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences and it was not long after they were signed to Epic Records.
There have been consistent lineup changes since the band’s inception but one constant is Monique’s exquisite voice. After a performance at the Las Vegas Ska Summit in 2003 the band was put on indefinite hiatus with each member experimenting in their own side projects and appearances. With a new line up, Save Ferris regrouped in 2013 and has been prepping a much-anticipated return.
We caught up with Monique Powell and asked about the driving force behind the band’s homecoming.
“We had so much success with our comeback in 2013, we decided to do it again! That and we’ve been working on a new album.”
Save Ferris has been spending their time writing new material and rehearsing for upcoming performances and studio time. Powell says they have written a ton of new songs and their first release will be a 5-song EP in honor of the 1996 debut.
“We’ve made a conscious effort to take the sound back to the beginning, Save Ferris ska!”
As of today, two tour dates are set up on the Save Ferris website. The first performance will be at Ska Fest 2016 in Mexico City with The Mighty Mighty Bosstones, Reel Big Fish, Less Than Jake, and many more.
Southern California can witness the return of Save Ferris on August 25, 2016 at the Santa Monica Pier before touring this fall. “We are hoping to do a small tour in the fall, no idea who we’ll tour with but I have an idea of who I WANT to tour with.”
The band achieved mainstream success with the release of their first full-length record It Means Everything in 1997. The single “The World is New” was featured on the film The Big Hit as well as the trailer for the Marlon Wayans and David Spade comedy, Senseless. Save Ferris achieved additional notoriety with their flawless cover of Dexys Midnight Runners’ hit “Come On Eileen.”
In 1998, the band appeared on the HBO’s Reverb and made an appearance in the cult-classic 10 Things I Hate About You singing “I Know” in addition to two songs played in the first season of Roswell.
Stay tuned; The Pier will report more information on the return of Save Ferris and the resurgence of third wave ska as it becomes available.
Related Links:
Save Ferris Website
Save Ferris Facebook
Article by Blake Taylor
Watch: Save Ferris – “The World Is New”