Foot Patrol

FOOT PATROL – PUSSYFOOTING

Funk Beyond The Fetish…Pussyfooting Around With Foot Patrol

Must See And Must Hear Austin Based Act To Release New Album – May 3, 2011

The dozen or so tracks on Foot Patrol’s upcoming album Pussyfooting might have the common lyrical theme of worshipping the body’s southernmost extremity, but to define the band solely by this so-called “fetish” would be single-minded in its approach. From the opening number, the 1980’s Minneapolis funk inspired “U R What U Feet” to the odd-metered and robotic “Raw Footage,” the album’s approach to making you move while simultaneously paying homage to its main inspiration is one of a kind to say the least.

TJ Wade, Foot Patrol’s blind lead singer and keyboard virtuoso might have as strong affinity to feet, but the band’s combination of showmanship, humor, and accomplished musical skills help to transcend the gimmicky trappings of other themed ensembles. Production on the album was led by Vietnamese born bassist Hung Nguyen and mixed by Grammy Award winning Adrian Quesada (Grupo Fantasma, Brownout, Ocote Soul Sounds).

Pussyfooting demonstrates the effortless chemistry between TJ and Hung who met over 15 years ago while Hung was an instructor at the Texas School for the Blind & Visually Impaired. Their synergetic relationship when it comes to music and life in general has shaped a music making machine with a back catalog of over 200 songs. “This album is the band’s quintessential and last collection of tunes exclusively about feet” states Nguyen. “No foot pun was left unused or unburned in the making of this record, it’s just good old fashioned sole.”

“An air-tight funk band.” – Spin Magazine

“Vocal performance and the power of their inescapable rhythms was enough to make you surrender to their outrageous presentation…not just a foot-worshiping novelty act. Foot patrol puts the fun back in funk.” – Austin American Statesman

“Resuscitates the party-up vibe of early-1980s synth-funk via clever toe-tappers.” – Austin Chronicle

“Inspiringly crazy and awesome on stage.” – Vice Magazine

“Slithering, sexed-up funk.” – Onion AV Club

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The Foot Patrol Story, a Tale of Two Feet – By Hung Nguyen

I met TJ when he was a fourteen year old student at the Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired. At that point he had been at the school for a few years already and had established a reputation as a gifted child prodigy. He frequently entertained the staff and students during holiday events. One of the most memorable performances was when he sat in with the Sun Ra Arkestra. We both were heavily into Prince and I made some cassette mix tapes of various b-sides and bootleg recordings for him. Fortunately he had a dorm manager who whole heartedly supported the students’ artistic endeavors. He bought a decent midi keyboard and a four-track recorder for them to explore. He specifically wanted TJ to have the opportunity to play a nice keyboard. TJ immediately took to it and we started recording songs together, covers (mostly Prince) and originals, some death metal, and gangster rap that he was into at the time. And of course, I noticed right away that he had a peculiar affinity for feet. (READ MORE->>)

WRITTEN MATERIALS TO DOWNLOAD

AUDIO

Foot Patrol – Pussyfooting – Album Stream (Out May 3, 2011)

“Welcome Me” (Single Version) (FREE DOWNLOAD – HERE)

“Mudslide” (Edit) (FREE DOWNLOAD – HERE)

Download Instructions
-On a PC: right click, select “Save This Link As…” and choose the destination for the file on your computer.
-On a Mac: option-click on the link. File will download to your desktop.

TOUR

04/29/11 – 2826 Arnetic – Dallas, TX

04/30/11 – Norman Music Festival – Norman, OK

05/01/11 – Pussyfooting CD Release Party @ Playland Skate Center – Austin, TX

PRESS PHOTOS