Since forming in Berkeley around 1980, Fang’s ear-piercing brand of hardcore punk, politically charged lyrics and noisy guitar tone (courtesy of guitarist Tom Flynn’s unique style) quietly impacted a generation of bands that became part of the lucrative “grunge” scene. Nirvana’s Kurt Cobain even listed Fang’s record, Landshark, number 6 on his 50 favorite records of all time.
Meanwhile, Fang’s “The Money Will Roll Right In” has been covered throughout the years by everyone from the Butthole Surfers and Metallica to Mudhoney and Nirvana, while “I Wanna Be On TV” was covered by Green Day.
“We are about halfway through the writing process [on a new album],” frontman Sammytown says. “The new music is angrier than early records, reflecting the state of the U.S. these days.”
In between writing, Fang just did six shows in Mexico and seven shows in Cuba with Verbal Abuse, making them the first American punk rock bands to play in Cuba.
“We just played an underground DIY gig in Havana,” Sammytown says. “It was incredible. Despite the lack of equipment, the ethos and spirit are alive.”
Also performing Sunday at the Fox Theater in Salinas: another longtime Bay Area hardcore punk band Decry; mid-’90s, Salinas thrash punk collective, F.U.X., who rock tunes with names like “Crackhead Connection” and “Poor and Fucked”; politically motivated Chicago-based punk rockers Voice of Addiction; and Salinas psychobilly favorites Psychos in Love.
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