LOST TREASURES

FOTOMAKER

“Fotomaker”

By Peter Marston

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The 60s British blues scene gave rise to several “supergroups” as did jazz fusion scene less than a decade later, but the term is rarely heard in connection with power pop. The reformed Big Star with Jon Auer and Ken Stringfellow from the Posies might qualify and Tinted Windows (with Bun E. Carlos, Adam Schlesinger, James Iha and Taylor Hanson) was certainly marketed as such, but an even better example might be Fotomaker. Comprising former members of the Rascals and The Raspberries, Fotomaker delivered some of the best power pop of the late 70s.

Fotomaker was founded when the former rhythm section from the Rascals (Dino Danelli and Gene Cornish; drums and bass, respectively) went sniffing about for musicians for a new band. The trail led to two unknowns, Frankie Vinci and Lex Marchesi, who were playing in a high-concept group called Vinci Masquerade who presented each show as a costume party—with each band member wearing different (and rarely repeating) costumes. Though unknowns, the latter two musicians were the creative center of Fotomaker and handled most of the songwriting and vocals.

The band line-up, however, was not completed for some time after that. After lengthy rehearsals, it became apparent that a fifth musician would be needed to realize the arrangements and harmonies that the material seemed to require. Raspberries and Three Dog Night producer Jimmy Ienner recommended Wally Bryson, former lead guitarist for the Raspberries. At the time Bryson was working with the band Tattoo, who were coming off a commercially disappointing self-titled debut LP. Rehearsals were arranged, the fit was good and Fotomaker was shortly prepared to showcase and enter the studio.

Though courted by a few record companies, Fotomaker was signed to the Rascals’ former label, Atlantic Records, by Ahmet Ertegun and Jerry Greenberg. The label was very enthusiastic and, unlike many of the bands who have graced the Lost Treasures page, promotion budgets and tour support were strong, with the band opening for the likes of Aerosmith, Alice Cooper, Foreigner, and Van Halen. Their self-titled debut album was released in early 1978.

The opening track on Fotomaker, “Where Have You Been All My Life,” is the highlight of the album and comes the closest to the Raspberries’ sound with its big sweeping chords and soaring melodies. It is also the only song not written by the band, penned instead by James Cowley. “Can I Please Have Some More?” is significantly harder-edged with tight, crunchy chords in the chorus, but still boasts Rubinoos-esque layered harmonies. “All There in Her Eyes” is a little closer to the AM pop of the period and has elements reminiscent of bands like Player and King Harvest. “Two Can Make It Work” juxtaposes an angular riffy verse against a sugary chorus with a prominent (and perhaps overdone) string pad. As “The Other Side” begins, you feel a power ballad coming on, but just in time a nearly frantic rocking chorus saves the day. “Plaything” bears some similarity to Cheap Trick’s “Gonna Raise Hell” but with more harmonies and less energy. “All These Years” is another highlight, opening with lovely acoustic guitars and featuring a solid chorus and, again, great harmonies. It would be unfair to describe the music on the album without a special mention of the stellar lead guitar work throughout. If guitar solos draw your attention, you won’t want to miss out on Fotomaker.

“Where Have You Been All My Life” was released as the main single from the album, but charted only briefly, reaching a peak position of 81. Promo copies of “The Other Side” were also distributed, but to even less effect. A follow up album, Vis à Vis, was released with the original line-up (and in the opinion of our publisher, Bruce Brodeen, is the superior album). It similarly vanished without a trace. A third, dance-oriented album was recorded, but by this time Bryson was gone.

Fotomaker and Vis à Vis were both reissued on CD by Wounded Bird in 2005 but are currently out of print. Copies of the CD reissues are nearly as hard to find as the original vinyl. Both albums, however, are available as digital downloads through the usual outlets. Somehow, someway, try to catch a listen.

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Pop Pioneer and “Lost Treasures” writer, Peter Marston is the leader of long-running power pop band, Shplang, whose most recent album, “My Big Three Wheeler” has been described as “the Beatles meet Zappa in pop-psych Sumo match.”  You check it out at this link:  http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/shplang

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LINKS:

Wikipedia:  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fotomaker

Cool Interview – http://www.glorydazemusic.com/articles.php?article_id=3465

Wally Byron’s website:  http://thebrysongroup.com/

“Fotomaker” – Full Album

“Snowblind” (from “Vis-a-Vis”)

The Rascals Induction into The Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame — Part 1