Bio

The Exploding Fifis emerged in the mid-80′s as Spokane’s best bar band, accumulating a large and devoted fan base drawn to the Fifi’s eclectic, energetic and eminently danceable new wave music.

The band’s extensive musical repertoire included the whimsical pop sensibilities of Oingo Boingo, the new wave edge of LA’s Missing Persons, the quirky, intellectual tunes of Talking Heads, the catchy power pop riffs of Split Enz and the explosive punk/funk combinations of the early Red Hot Chili Peppers.

The Fifi’s stage presence set new standards for showmanship and fan involvement, incorporating brilliant pyrotechnics and sophisticated light shows previously seen only in large venues. The Fifis’ overflow crowds were filled with acrobatic cheerleading fans that converted any piece of towering band equipment into a personal launching pad. Each show’s frenetic energy overwhelmed the audience with the potency of their music and their passion for performing.

Their rhythmic driven music fueled by two talented drummers – one who also doubles as lead singer – and passion for live performance will return this summer with the Exploding Fifis’ reunion in Spokane, Washington.  You can catch them at the Riverfront Park Clocktower Stage on Sunday, September 5.

The Players:
Cherie Byrd (keyboard)
Hidde Hanenburg (guitar)
Karl Boyer (bass)
Rick Bryceson (drums)
Jeff Omeron (lead vocals/percussion)

Originally a brainchild of Cherie Byrd and Jeff Omeron… Actually let me give credit where credit is due. Jeff’s childhood friend and inspiration for playing drums in the first place Larry Garcia (Leddie Garcia) originally put the idea of the band on the table. He suggested Police, Talking Heads, Peter Gabriel and others. I don’t remember the whereabouts of said conversation but perhaps at a Mna Mna show at Ahabs or maybe even over some espresso at Espresso Deliciouso? not sure but Cherie and myself were hungry for something new musically. A few months later… Now after Larry Garcia put the bug in Jeff and Cherie’s ears he was supposed to show up for the first get together tryouts etc. An ad was placed in The Spokesman Review and this "guy named Hidde" responded. He came over to my sister’s house by Downriver Golf Course and I don’t know… Knocked my fuck’n socks off. He had all this technology gear and an innocence about him and he could play! He was shy soft spoken intelligent programmer and wore the mask of doubting his abilities etc. but he played wicked & wonderfully. I am not sure on the timeline or the order of acquiring Karl Boyer on bass guitar. I think the same scenario as far as placing an ad in The Spokesman…this black guy shows up. All rough and ready with some New Orleans swagger and an infectious laugh. We dropped bass player names etc. and he could fuckin’ lay it down. Plus he played a little drums. I don’t think we tried anybody else. The first two guys fit the bill! So the band rehearsed in my sister’s basement by Downriver Golf Course. The line up: Hidde Hanenburg on guitar, Karl Boyer on bass, Cherie Byrd on keyboards and myself Jeff Omeron on drums. Then came the name. I really think Kevin Miller and Bill Jarboe were the first to coin the name Exploding Fifi’s. Cherie brought it to the table and we were thrilled. It kinda rolled off your tongue…ya think? Our first gig….The Red Lion Tavern. Cherie pulled some networking magic and got us our "debut" gig as she knew Craig Heimbigner who owned the bar and Jim Landry who owned The St. Regis. So Craig…knowing Craig probably said, "Oh what the hell". I don’t recall the first songlist but we opened with Icehouse with Karl on the drums (yes) and I stood out front like a deer in the headlights. I think I sang most of the songs from behind the drumkit. We had a few more gigs I think Henry’s Pub and Ahabs Whale. You see at the time there were not a lot of bands in The Spokane Scene then. Getting gigs was pretty easy, especially when you played for the door. There were some great acts though. The Studebakers, Mna Mna, The Cruisers, Buttermilk Five, Young Brians, sorry if I left some out. We stayed away from being a "Cavender" band. We did play a few of "his rooms". The HindQuarter up at Lincoln Heights, Gatsby’s…YES…Fifi’s played Gatsbys and we had a few nights at The Sheraton…Sundays…hmmmm let me backtrack a bit. We got some more gigs and for some reason we were all in the Musicians Union # 105 in Spokane, WA. I remember playing some Union gigs. Holy shit we played at Eastern State Hospital for the inmates… errr patients I mean what do you call them? I had done Union gigs before as they paid money… yes money. anyhow… Rehearsing and practicing became too much for my situation at my sister’s house as her boyfriend (now husband) had moved in from California. We rented a large room at The Musicians Union Building on Sprague Ave. downtown Spokane. Man… all those stairs… all that gear! Anyhow, we were 20 something then and I was an animal back then, heh heh. So, one day in the room at The Musicians Union Building, Hidde suggests we try adding a drummer (I think this is how it happened). It so happened that his friend Rick Bryceson had just gotten "off the road" I think with The Gayle Rose Band and was up for this. I had known Rick from E.W.U. actually waaay before that as he was friends with a guitar player that we both played with at different points… confused? Don’t be. Rick showed up, played, sang and thus… The Exploding Fifi’s were born. Funny, we never got a new promo with him in it. Do you think he feels left out? Hope not. Now to "the next level". I sold my huge truck, PA and light show form my former band "On Ice". I did keep a small set of Yamaha speakers and a mixer board. I think I rented stuff from Hoffman Music Co. as I was still on good terms and had spent tens of thousands there in a previous life…I think ALL working Spokane Musicians had a Hoffmans account at one time. Pay quadruple the price…BUT get it on time, make your payments etc. otherwise Dan Black and Lee Cardella will come to the club and RIP YOUR GEAR OUTTA THERE!!!!Happened to me at Ahabs… thank god it was ONLY the MONITORS…. Pardon my rant… Howard Coon. Now Rick knew this sound guy. I had heard of and years long ago even got together with Howard, Larry Garcia and Ben Kenyon… there was this thing with lasers going on… I better not digress… anyway. We got to Howards house…. he answers the door… y’y’yeah… what do you fuckers want? Uh, we got this band and we want you to run sound. He had this huge Biamp Mixer in his living room…. 4 buss??? and he had a lot invested in high end braided audiophile cabling and showed us the difference… you really could hear the difference. (I went to Hoffmans and got 4 Monster Cable Mic cords @ $100 a piece). Wish I had ‘em still. The old ones, not the new shit they have now. He had a garage full of Martin cabinets, Community cabinets JBL horns etc. and through borrowing amps and what amps I had saved we put a pretty nice sounding system together. He was real good. He was unorthodox about it. Tried and succeeded at different approaches to sound reinforcement. Kent from Ahabs Whale gave him the nickname "Rambo". Howard was and still is a weightlifter/body builder and one of the nicest guys I ever met. Not sure if I saved any lights or borrowed or perhaps I think we rented lights and placed ‘em. You see back then bands had to have lights… at least we thought. We had friends run lights but then this guy Danny Bouchard decides he wants to set up his "show" for the band! Jeesus… He had like over 100 cans, Teatronics dimmers… 220 cable… distro boxes and a huge light board. Funny, we played Ahab’s with a massive light show and concert sound. It was fun times. I remember diving off the sound towers a few times. We played a lot. We packed the shit outta places. We played The Red Lion, Ahabs, Henry’s Pub, O’Benders, Moes Body Shop, RU RED, Gatsbys, JJ’’s (Sheraton) The Hindquarter, EWU, Gonzaga, Whitworth, Pattisons Skating Rink, Musicians Union Gala @ The Davenport….and I think a few more. People dancing on tables. Stage diving, etc. I wish I had photos, tapes etc. We did a TV show. I don’t remember why the band "Exploded". But I know this. We are slated to have a re-union this summer @ Spokane’s Pig Out in The Park. Sunday Sept 5th…Clock Tower just before Sha NA NA!!!