Godzuki

by Heather PharesThe Detroit-based indie pop group Godzuki formed in 1993 out of the band members shared passion for science and new wave music. Singer/keyboardist Erika Hoffman, drummer Scott Michalski, guitarist/bassist Chris Fachini, and guitarist Dion Fischer played in other Detroit-area indie rock bands such as His Name Is Alive, the Whales, the Ohms, the Volebeats, the Mystic Moog Orchestra, and Teach Me Tiger. After releasing a string of 7s, Godzuki released their full-length debut, Trail of the Lonesome Pine, in 1996 on March Records. Produced by the Pulsars Dave Trumfio, Matthew Smith of Detroits Outrageous Cherry, and His Name Is Alives Warren Defever, the groups first album mixes sweet vocals with fuzzy guitars and buzzing synths in a blend Godzuki calls science rock. 1997 saw the release of Free Wade, also produced by Defever, on the Time Stereo label. This album combined the groups experimental, noisy tendencies with the saxophone playing of their high school friend, Wade the Free Jazz Saxophonist, in four long, groove-based tracks. Godzuki released their third album, Your Future, in the fall of 1998 on March Records. Your Future was also produced by Warren Defever and features artwork by Teenbeats Mark Robinson.