Mr. Fantastical
Mr. Fantastical | |
|---|---|
 Cover of LP "Born to Boogie, Born to Die" | |
| Background information | |
| Origin | Mesa, Arizona |
| Genres | |
| Labels | Sunset Alliance |
| Members | Jason Corman (a.k.a. Harvey B. Fantastical) |
| Website | mrfantastical |
Mr. Fantastical, a.k.a. Harvey B. Fantastical, is the alter-ego of Jason Corman, former guitar player for Arizona rock band Jesus Chrysler Supercar, butcher, and solo-artist.
History[edit]
Jesus Chrysler Supercar[edit]
Jason Corman's (i.e., Mr. Fantastical's) first major foray into recording and releasing music came after joining Arizona-based band Jesus Chrysler Supercar. In 1994, after recently moving to Phoenix from Nebraska, Corman auditioned for a spot on JCS and ultimately joined the group that also included vocalist Mitch Steele, guitarist Jaime Hickerson, bassist Erick Smith, and drummer Matt Collins.[1] Described then as a "David Koresh/Weird Al Yankovic look-alike", Corman's band would open for big-named groups such as Radiohead, Korn, the Goo Goo Dolls,[1] and the Deftones.[2] "[F]amous for performing in NASCAR jumpsuits and playing rock heavy on the testosterone," JCS ultimately disbanded at the end of 1999 after what vocalist Mitch Steele described as "having plenty of opportunities and running into too many stumbling blocks."[3][4]
Mr. Fantastical[edit]
A few years following the demise of Jesus Chrysler Supercar, Corman started Mr. Fantastical where his production over the years has ranged from his largely instrumental debut, to his second effort, a "funny children's album "Ham Hocks and Guitar Strings" on the Sunset Alliance label that just stopped short of having a Parental Advisory sticker slapped on it."[5]
By his third full-length, "Born to Boogie, Born to Die," one critic described his sound as "deftly combined rig rock (the first time anyone has said 'Put the hammer down' on a recording since CW McCall), a bit of glam rock (the tip of the Pilgrim hat to "Born to Boogie"-era T. Rex), some ZZ Top and James Gang, some Devo weirdness and a wicked sendup of rebel flag rock called "I Ain't Southern But I Play Southern Rock On The Radio."[6] Weblog "Here Comes the Flood" actually named the record the seventh-best release of 2015 after declaring that the "record has its fair share of stomping good time music, but spin one of the smart instrumentals and be prepared to pick up your jaw from the floor."[7]
Personal life[edit]
In 1995, Mr. Fantastical began his work as a butcher at his father-in-law's shop, The Pork Shop.[8] In addition to being known around the Phoenix metro-area as a place for getting great pork products, it has also gained some notoriety due to Corman's handlebar mustache.[9][10] According to Corman, he and his alter-ego, Mr. Fantastical, began wearing his trademark mustache in 1997.[10] He relates that he had been growing the mustache to "stand out" in his band, Jesus Chrysler Supercar, and it had gotten rather long until 1997, when his wife complained about it.[10] On the way to playing a gig, he made a promise to his wife that if his hometown team, the Nebraska Cornhuskers won the college football national championship, he would shave it off.[10] However, that year, Nebraska finished first in only one of the polls, while the University of Michigan Wolverines finished first in the other.[10] So, after his gig, he shaved off only the middle of his mustache to celebrate his team's "half-win" and has let the sides grow since.[10]
Discography[edit]
Jesus Chrysler Supercar Albums[edit]
| Release date | Title | Label | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1995 | Hey Bailer | self-released | |
| 1997 | Latterday Speedway | Token Records | |
| 1999 | Land Speed | Token Records | Follow-up EP to Latterday Speedway |
Mr. Fantastical Albums[edit]
| Release date | Title | Label | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | Inner-Dimensional Solo-Collaborative | self-released | |
| 2008 | Ham-hocks and Guitars Strings | Sunset Alliance | |
| 2015 | Born to Boogie, Born to Die | Sunset Alliance |
Compilations[edit]
| Release date | Title | Label | Song Contribution |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | In Lieu of the Flue | Sunset Alliance | "Canada, Canada" from his LP Ham-Hocks and Guitar Strings |
| 2015 | You Heard Us Back When, Volume 9[11] | Zia Records | "Raccoon Stomp" from his LP Born to Boogie, Born to Die |
References[edit]
- ^ a b Silverman, Leigh. "Christ in the Fast Lane", Phoenix New Times, Feb. 20, 1997 (retrieved 16-3-16).
- ^ Fineran, Patrick. "Sounding Board: Arizona Band Brings Its Over-the-Top Rock to Conffetiz," The Journal Times, Oct. 17, 1999 (retrieved 16-03-16).
- ^ Dominic, Serene. "Heritage Humpday: Jesus Chrysler Supercar, 'Three Cross Curve,'" The Phoenix New Times, Feb. 25, 2015 (retrieved 16-03-16)
- ^ Mehr, Bob. "End of the Road," The Phoenix New Times, Feb. 24, 2000 (retrieved 16-03-16)
- ^ Dominic, Serene. "Plugging into Phoenix Music: Captain Baby, Related," The Arizona Republic, July 17, 2014 (retrieved 16-03-16)
- ^ Dominic, Serene. "Plugging into Phoenix music: Dead Hot Workshop," The Arizona Republic, Feb. 19, 2015 (retrieved 19-03-15).
- ^ Werkman, Hans."Mr. Fantastical: Born to Boogie, Born to Die," Here Comes the Flood, Mar. 17, 2015 (retrieved 16-03-16).
- ^ Boggan, Sarah. "Selling everything but the pig’s squeal," East Valley Tribune, Oct. 7, 2011. (retrieved 19-03-15)
- ^ Rose, Jaimee. "A handlebar on good eats: Jason Corman, the Pork Shop's 'mustache guy'," The Arizona Republic, Apr. 13, 2012 (retrieved 19-03-15).
- ^ a b c d e f Rose, Jaimee. "'Mustache guy' at Queen Creek Pork Shop has story to tell," The Arizona Republic, Apr. 16, 2012 (retrieved 19-03-15).
- ^ Zia Records, "'You Heard Us Back When, Volume 9' Tracklisting Announced!" Mar. 13, 2015 (retrieved 16-03-16).