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originally published: 08/02/2021

City Weezle is a rock fusion band that fuses elements of different styles and influences, but marks its distinctly unique brand of fusion with a punky swing rock, groove backbone at its core. “No.2” is City Weezle’s latest offering after a long hiatus taken due to disbanding in 2010. It’s the fruit of years of work! The album was written and recorded in various beautiful and precarious places from the backwaters of Ireland to the metropoles of France and Japan over a 4 year period.

City Weezle was founded in Paris back in 2005 by potato lovin’ Irishman Simon Fleury. After stringing together two demos, “City Weezle” (in 2006) and “The Leprechaun” (in 2008), City Weezle became a prominent member of the European underground fusion scene. They toured Europe several times sharing the stage with acts such as Watcha, Sleepytime Gorilla Museum. They have also become good friends and collaborated with great underground acts such as Igorrr (who produced both the band’s LP’s), Vladimir Bozar, Pryapisme and Clurichaun. After the release of their first full length LP drummer Ai Uchida had to return to Japan.

Due to not being able to find anyone to replace him, City Weezle was put on hiatus indefinitely but released “Lysergik Tea Party” in 2012 to let people know the band would be back. In 2013 and the following years, Simon would meet pianist and composer CSL Parker, who mentored him in experimental free form improvisation. Under his advice, Simon would reform the band, reconnecting with drummer Ai Uchida and bassist Kengo Mochizuki. Ai flew from Japan to write and record the drums over a two week period In a little cottage in Ireland.

Over the following years, the instrumentation and vocals would be written and recorded in “various beautiful and precarious places” throughout Ireland, France and Japan, culminating in their latest effort and second LP entitled “No. 2”

 

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The recordings include many Guests and the band’s musical palette diversifies on this album incorporating Piano, Organ, Harpsichord, String arrangements, etc. “No. 2” is a less chaotic sounding album stepping away from the Primus and Bungle influenced sound of Taboo opening up some new directions for the band who will strive to keep things original, fun and interesting for the listener to enjoy. The band is now promoting “No. 2” preparing for a post Covid return to the Stage.

Both City Weezle’s albums “Taboo” and “No.2” were co-produced with legendary breakcore artist “Igorrr.”

The lineup includes Simon Fleury (IRL) aka “The Vocal Viking”: Vocals, Guitars, Banjo’s, baby screams; Kengo Moichizuki (JAP) aka “Bass Samurai”: Bass; Ai Uchida (JAP) aka “Drum Ninja”: Drums; Axel Steinbiss(DE) aka “Wunderkind”: Keyboards, Piano; and Pierre Schmidt(FR): Guitar. The band’s self proclaimed influences are Faith No More, Mr. Bungle, Primus, King Crimson, The Melvins, Frank Zappa...

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