In September, Two Ton Boa's Frontwoman/Songwriter, Sherry Fraser, emerged after a six-year silence with the release of the Olympia-based band's first full-length, Parasiticide. Fraser & Co. had released a self-titled EP in 2000 via KIll Rock Stars, but all had been quiet after the tour in support of Two Ton Boa ran its course. According to Fraser, the six years since the tour for the EP were spent on a much needed break and a battle with a bipolar disorder. Fraser was prescribed a medication commonly prescribed for epileptics. This somehow brought Fraser back into focus, and she began to write again. The resulting album, Parasiticide, is a dark and grinding drag through Fraser's psyche. The band (currently Scott Seckington on Keys, Brian Sparhawk on Bass, Dan Reiser on Drums, and Fraser on Vocals & Bass) forgo guitars for a dual-bass sound, with chord-organ accentuating Fraser's classically-trained and booming wail, resulting in a thoroughly unique and remarkably original sound. Lyrically, Fraser matches TTB'S thunder with topical and imagery-filled wordplay.There's the power-ballad-like lament of body image and indictment on cosmetic surgery in "Favorite Bloody Patient" and on "HERarchy" she blasts at college-town feminist-fakery. The re-recording of earlier compilation track, "Porcelain Throne", is a devil on Fraser's shoulder yelling "Do it!" and the whole affair starts off with the anti-Bush Administration single "Cash Machine". It's all a very cathartic listen, as one can be sure it is for Fraser to perform.


(Sherry Fraser. Photo By Scott Seckington)

And so, the meds apparently work very well - Two Ton Boa are about to high-tail it out again in Decmber for a not-to-be-missed West Coast mini-tour. This follows their just-completed Fall US Tour. Rejoice, for the wonders of modern medicine!

DATES ANNOUNCED SO FAR:

12/01/2006 - The Alibi
Arcata, CA

12/02/2006 -Uptown Nightclub
Oakland, CA



12/03/2006 - Hemlock Tavern
San Francisco, CA

12/08/2006 - Manium
Olympia, WA

12/09/2006 - Someday Lounge
Portland, OR

Watch the video for Two Ton Boa's "Cash Machine" on YouTube:


Recommended Listening:

Two Ton Boa Parasiticide
Stream Here
Buy Here

Further Perusal:
Two Ton Boa's Myspace