'Clocked Out' follows evolution of Farooq singer vxDEDxv

Also, Fashawn headlines Barbhop's parking-lot party, and Folly's Pool takes on America in new single

It took Daniel Dominguez five years to collect and record the material for “Clocked Out,” the debut album from his rap solo project vxDEDxv.

“About half of the songs were written and performed while I was on various summer tours with Farooq between 2016 and 2019,” says Dominguez who aggressively fronts the Fresno hardcore band.

“Clocked Out” is a musical divergence for Dominguez, who ditches any screams here to pull emcee duty (rather poignantly on “Frontman.” I am reminded of The Flobots rapper Jonny 5).

But there’s a lyrical consistency that carries through.

In fact, the album’s second track is the end to a trilogy of songs that started with Farooq’s “Owned” in 2015 and continued on its 2018 track “Owning It.”

“‘Owned It’ is the expression of acceptance and closure for the previous two songs,” Dominguez says.

“Clocked Out” is out March 1 and available for pre-order on Bandcamp (though you could wait until Friday, when Bandcamp waives its revenue share).

Stream the first two singles, “Fade” and “Frontman” below.

Fashawn headlines Barbhop

March marks one year since downtown Fresno has seen an ArtHop and people are jonesing.

Enter BarbHop, a music, food and art parking-lot get together from the people behind Barb’s Drive-in. The first of what will be a monthly event happens 4-10 p.m. March 4 and features a full-on lineup of live music including Fresno rapper Fashawn (plus London DJ Chloedees, Carl Armada, Halo the Human and more).

While there have surely been underground concerts and parties happening, this could be the largest gathering of this type we’ve seem since the pandemic began (Fashawn is not small pull).

You can make your own call on whether its all too soon or not, but if you do head out remember that masks are mandatory.

So, MASK THE F*CK UP, to quote the event flier.

Folly’s Pool, “Not My America”

Folly’s Pool released its first single in 1976 and has continued to put out music since — at a rate of about one album per decade.

Last week, it released a new single, “Not My America.”

The song is a call out on the current state of the union (think school shootings and distrust of the media, massive greed and an overall loss of compassion).

Musically, one might call this “dad rock,” though I’d offer an advanced apology for the negative connotations that might imply. I’d hate to belittle the earnestness of the song.

Simply put, this is bluesy folk rock done well.

The song was composed by Doug Carlson, who founded Folly’s Pool with his brother Jeff Carlson and recruited a recording lineup that includes his brothe plus local players Phil Wimer (guitar) Raymond Haney (bass) Stan Schaffer (drums), Debi Ruud and Jim Reap (on backing vocals).

You can see the lyric video for “Not My America” on Youtube now.

If you have anything you think I need to be looking at or listening to, feel free to let me know: jtehee@gmail.com