Former Fetus - A Rock Opera

Former Fetus - A Rock Opera

CD released in 1997

recorded on January 5, 1997

band members (no mention of which instruments are played by which individual):

Ben Hofmann
John Ganz
Mark Junglen
Randy Turnquist

I acquired a copy of this CD at the latest library sale along with a truckload of solo piano LPs and nature sounds cassettes. As one can tell from the title of this album, it is a "rock opera" about a fetus that receives a warning from a dream that its mother is about to abort it. Somehow the fetus escapes its mother's womb and goes on to live in the world. The fetus lives through struggles to fend for itself as most born human beings do by trying to procure food and shelter. Later, the fetus somehow becomes prosperous and draws people to follow him. The fetus ascends to be president, but its position at the top does not last long as the world comes crashing down.

There is very little info about this band in cyberspace. However, I learned that Mark Junglen is the fellow who is the leader of this band and owner of the label Big Ball Records that released this rock opera. Big Ball Records is based out of Colorado Springs, Colorado, the hub of fundamental conservative Christianity. An excerpt from some magazine is included in the liner notes that describes the band's sound as "Neil Young meets Minor Threat." I'll let you, the visitors, be the judge of that. The liner notes also offer a little bit more info: This disc is made for demonstration purposes on a limited budget and time to show the raw power of Former Fetus. If you can hear potential in a full production of this rock opera, realize ... this is our 4th album length set . . . we have THREE more sets of melodies as rampaging and powerful as this one.

The back cover has brief notes for each song and are included in the tracklisting below.

Tracklisting:  (link will be back soon)

1. Overture {1:03}
A Fetus, in the womb

2. Former Fetus {2:45}
Fetus becomes aware. A dream tells it's about to be aborted from its mother.

3. I'm Free {2:45}
The fetus escapes from the womb, wondering, into the world, he flees his death.

4. Live & Nesting {2:52}
Quietly into the world he blends, while fending for himself a creature's comfort. He grows strong and intelligent.

5. Under the Bridge {3:04}
Coming of age and completely alone.

6. Twilight Zone {2:21}
Former Fetus is propserous, has fame, and in the end, is a great leader.

7. I'm a Mom {3:40}
As you may have wondered why our hero was going to be done in.

8. Love {3:54}
Has our little guy finally found some peace and comfort?

9. After the Rapture {3:05}
His wistful taste of Love has been taken along with what good there was in the world.

10. Acoustic Nerve {2:00}
Not having been born, the Former Fetus is the only conscious being, scorned and left to witness the terror.

11. Former Fetus {5:05}
(reprise to noise)