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"When Boston's American Hi-Fi went to Maui to record their debut with Bob Rock, the über-producer told them to leave
their gear at home.
"We didn't feel right not bringing down our own gear," says guitarist Jamie Arentzen, "but as it happened,
Bob had some pretty amazing stuff lying around the studio. One day, I was sitting on the couch, picking a Fender 12-string,
when Bob came over and casually mentioned it was the guitar Pete Townshend played on Tommy."
Townshend's Fender - along with a Nikki Sixx bass, Malcolm Young's Gretsch and Mick Ronson's slide - made an appearance
on the album. But while American Hi-Fi's first single, "Flavor of the Weak," utilizes both Billy Duffy's '59 Les
Paul and James Hetfield"s black ESP, its hit status owes more to a classic pop approach than it does to the classic gear.
"We're into keeping things simple," says singer/songwriter/guitarist Stacy Jones, who founded American Hi-Fi
after playing drums for Letters to Cleo, Veruca Salt and Aimee Mann. "I think there's probably a reason why the pop-rock
song writing formula has been so effective for so long."
While Arentzen's clean lead lines are undeniably catchy and distinctive, the song's storyline has also helped "Flavor
of the Weak" stand out among the power-pop pack. Rather than follow the well-worn boy-meets-girl formula, the song tells
of a boy who has the girl but doesn't deserve her.
"At one time in our lives we've either been that guy or known that guy," says Jones, who wrote the song mid
session as a jangly ballad and recorded it only after Rock encouraged him to pick up its pace. "I've had many women tell
me they've known or been that girl. I think everyone can relate to it."
by Andy Langer
Axology
GUITAR: (Jones) Fender Jaguar; (Arentzen) 1970 Les Paul Deluxe Goldtop, Fender Jazzmaster
AMPS: (Jones) Marshall 810; (Arentzen) Mesa/Boogie Dual Rectifier
STRINGS: (both) Ernie Ball
Currently Listening To: (Jones) Doves' Lost Souls; (Arentzen) Superdrag's In the Valley of Dying Stars
ALL-TIME FAVORITE ALBUMS: (Jones) Cheap Trick's In Color; (Arentzen) Cheap Trick's Live at Budokan
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