Chicago’s premiere “thinkingcore” band, FCKR JR makes fuzzy slacker pop chock full of earworm melodies touching on moodier moods without ever losing their levity or pure enjoyment of being a rock band. Ben Grigg’s (Geronimo!, Future Biff, Whelpwisher) songs mix equal parts of Ovlov’s impenetrable fuzz, Built to Spill’s vulnerability, and The Breeders song-serving concision on their 2019 full-length debut. From the anxious opening duo “Frogs” and “Gone” to the solemn resolve of “Good”, FCKR JR tries on moods and styles as quickly as they discard them on “I’m Sorry Mom and Dad”. Rounded out by Emily Bean (bass, facts), Emily Wrong (guitar, snax) and Liz Bustamante (drums, backing vox), the “slippergaze” band’s sense of humor contrasts Grigg’s cannily poignant songwriting and amplifies the band’s playful, inclusive foundation.
“FCKR JR tread in the environment of emotional heft and reverb drenched guitar crunch with nimble rhythm section work and pillow-y melodies. In a span of less than twenty minutes FCKR JR manage to cover a wide range of musical space and do so with a sense of commitment that hits hard on every track.” - Kris Handel, Post-Trash
FCKR JR is Ben, Liz, Emily, and Emily.