While local quartet the Honus Huffhines—which Andy Giegerich now fronts—plays witty, Elvis Costello-ish jangle-pop that could easily be considered “mature,” the band’s 44-year-old songwriter isn’t bashful about that fact that he’s traversed some more juvenile songwriting phases. In fact, he called this very Cut of the Day (which he wrote when he was 21) “cringey.”

But Giegerich offered it up, nonetheless, as a juicy little preview to an event he and local label/collective Love Harder are hosting this Friday called Tried Tried Again (read the print story here and the extended Q&A here). And, you know, for the kind of hilarious lyrics—all political angst and snarky social commentary—it’s actually a pretty catchy tune: I mean, it’s got a surf-tinged guitar lick, an easily chant-able chorus and an upbeat, jangle-pop swing. What more could you want?

Giegerich admits he got a “late start” in reference to his relative age when penning “Fascists,” and notes that most of the performers at Tried Tried Again will be digging up tracks that were written at ages as young as nine—should be some excellent fodder there. But my fave observation from “Blond Young Fascists” is pretty priceless, too: They’re blonde young fascists, and their proud of that fact/ They’ll wine and down you, then put knives in your back.” You tell ‘em, Andy.

Download audio file (blondeyoungfascists.mp3)

Tried Tried Again, featuring performances by Jacob Anderson, Ross Beach, Dave Klopfenstein, Jack Tuftee, Abigail Adams, Dave Sullivan, Dan Cook, Josh Mayer, Chris Piuma, Sean Mersereau, Alison Dennis, Andy Giegerich & more, takes place Friday, Feb. 1, at the Red Room. 8 pm. Free. 21+.

Links:
HonusSpace
The Honus Huffhines on the web
Love Harder

Photo: The Honus Huffhines (Giegerich is the blonde guy with glasses), taken by Cameron Browne.