BIOGRAPHY
Is a collaboration between Anthony J. Maldonado & AxJx, featuring original songs written by the two singers/multi-instrumentalists.
The band was formed in Autumn of 1998 in the town of Berkeley, California after the dismemberment of AxJx's "Celtic punk" band, Ffleuder Fflam. This new forming was primarily a studio band (although over the years, there have been a smattering of public performances). This consisted of songwriting sessions, frequent rehearsals, and "band-member time" as they were the best of friends. This all culminated in the recording sessions for what became _Smeared Reflection_.
Anthony's songs:
Most of Anthony's contributions to the album revolved around his fascination with Farah, a lady friend he had met in October of 1997.
- "Receipt Apparatus", written in March 1998
- "Saucy Sockets", written in June 1998
- "Distance And The Floating Couch", written in October 1998
- "Maple Syrup", written in April 1999
He first realized how strong his feeling for her really were when he tried to write a love song for her (which developed into "Receipt Apparatus". He was sure enough about his feelings by the time summer rolled around, so that he insisted on staying in Berkeley and rented a room. He was living there when he wrote "Saucy Sockets".
Even though it was obvious that she was seeing someone else, Anthony convinced himself that she did have feelings for him. He took solace in the newly formed musical group consisting of himself, AxJx and Frank Byrdwell on bass.
In October, Anthony reflected on all this while writing "Distance And The Floating Couch". He insisted until the end... that end did come when he received an eviction notice and was forced to evacuate, leaving the group behind and suddenly found himself in Los Angeles.
"In Your Pouch" was written in November 1998. A creatively idealistic piece containing some degree of cynicism. The first line indicated his "need for solitude and social withdrawal presented as an option to collective consciousness".
In April 1999: AxJx is located. On his way to the long-awaited rendez-vous, Anthony wrote the chorus to "Maple Syrup" while waiting at a bus-stop. That's when he realized that it was in his best interest to get over the girl and move on.
AxJx's songs:
"Moneygo" (October 1998) Originally penned in 1994 which originated as a tune called "Angry Marching People" or A.M.P., as the amp was turned up loud. Recalling feelings of intense desire, exclusive to a prior love, which were still alive, he probably finished it in October of 1998. Though the lyrics are self-explanatory, AxJx adds that the song "is about having things look like they're gonna get better and then well, you know... you come to your senses." His itinerary for items that the money gets spent on also included a pint of ice-cream and a burrito.
"Another Sort Of Life" (1998) Is a love song with a different take on a situation he'd written about before. This one was conceived in Berkeley in the late 90s. AxJx had run into his Ex, Becky and she had started to hang around with other people. They ended up at Cafe Med and she explicitly said that they were never going to be together again or have any type of relationship. This fatalistic song is told from the perspective of someone who had not been able to move on emotionally despite the fact that their former partner HAD moved on. It's about the sadness of not reaching a new start when the other person HAD reached another sort of life. Sometimes someone gets left behind.
"Circus" (April 1999) Soon after composing this beautiful piece in April 1999, AxJx called up Anthony and played it for him over the phone. This was at a time where AxJx was staying with his new girlfriend, Mary in Sherman Oaks. According to AxJx, "it's a song about how cheating isn't wrong but it makes people feel bad."
"That Sunshine May Prevail..." (June 1999 [music]) The musical arrangement to this was developed in Summer of 1999 and perfected by Mid-June. Although it had lyrics that were the foundation for the music, these were removed for the album after Anthony dared to edit the opening line, among other things on a scratch vocal and a major disagreement between the two ensued.
HOLIDAY IN THE MOJAVE: AxJx arranged a weekend trip to the Mojave Desert in order to get away from his girlfriend, who had created some drama and tension between herself and AxJx. While out in a small residential property, he and Anthony took to recording demos of "Distance...", "Circus", "Maple Syrup" and a few other songs. Also, the creation of two new songs occurred. They were developed on the spot and recorded on a cassette tape with the others. These are the two songs:
"Twenty-Eight Days" (April 28, 1999) Continued troubles in his relationship led to these lyrics and a basic guitar framework of the song was created by AxJx using unorthodox chords which gave the song a bit of dissonance or an "eastern" feel. For the recording, Anthony reworked the guitar part, while trying to stay true to the original idea.
"Certainly Katie" (April 29, 1999) Anthony started banging on the classical guitar with power chords and AxJx soon joined in, creating the lead vocal melody line. He sang "la-la-las". Realizing that his friend was quite fast at coming up with lyrics, Anthony left the room and went to spend some time with the tumbleweeds. He returned with a full set of lyrics and claimed the song as his own. In it, he reminisces about some lady friend(s) from the Berkeley days.
THEN:
"Giving Up If You're O.K." (May 1999)
Axjx had been living with Mary, and had some sort of undefined romantic relationship. In the moment that he wrote the song he'd been going through a lot of jealousy. "28 Days" was also a jealousy song. "Giving Up" was the last of those Mary songs and was about just accepting the situation. Being in love but not being able to control her or what she would do.
AND ONE MORE:
"If We Could Turn Back Time" was created in the Summer of 1999, at a session with temporary member Michael Joshua Flores. They were at his garage and Josh had a piano phrase that he was practicing. Anthony heard something magical in there and recorded it on a cassette tape. He developed lyrics and a melody line and later took it to Augustus Saunders, the newest member and they fleshed it out on piano. A classical type orchestration was then added, mostly by Saunders but Anthony contributed some memorable violin parts as well as the idea for the oboe solo. The lyrics are mainly a nostalgic yearning for a sporty lady friend from a few years prior, Francesca.
These tales of yearning and unrequited love capture a point in time and yet the feelings they evoke may be timeless. The recordings have survived and may bring a feeling of closeness or empathy for those who can relate. 13 song album _Smeared Reflection_ is available mostly everywhere on the digital landscape.