from… http://www.examiner.com/pop-culture-in-miami/brute-force-the-king-of-fuh-and-the-beatles

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Brute Force the King of Fuh and the Beatles

October 9th, 2010 10:47 pm ET

click on pic for full size
Brute Force; the man, the image, the
trademark in a pose accenting his
educated eyebrows
Photo: Photo/Wayne Koopell

Brute Force; the man, the image, the trademark in a pose accenting his educated eyebrows

As a songwriter, when you write a phrase that may sound like a ‘dirty word’ do you realize you will be enmeshed in a censorship battle lasting more than 40 years?

The word, which is in the popular lexicon, can be used as a verb transitive and intransitive, active or passive. It can be used as an adverb and a noun or even an adjective. It may also be inserted into other words in a more flowery artistic way. It is arguably the most universally censored, yet utilized word there is. It starts with an ‘F’ and ends with a ‘K’.

When recording artist Brute Force, AKA Stephen Friedland, put two words together that sounded like that word, he provoked laughter, serious thought and the ire of the establishment. http://brutesforce.com

Provocation is only one aspect of Brute’s heavy/funny world. His many followers would agree.

Over the years he ‘dynamited open’ the creative envelope of performance with his thoughtful consciousness and a boundless wit.

Brute wrote and performed with The Tokens in the 1960s and wrote songs for artists Peggy March, Del Shannon, The Chiffons and The Cyrkle among others.

John Lennon and George Harrison became aware of the American recording artist and songwriter when he penned his song entitled ‘King of Fuh’. The song had been produced by The Tokens about a ‘Fuh King,’ in NYC the track was admired by Harrison and Lennon who were always willing to push the pop culture envelope.

Harrison took the track back across the pond and put it on Apple. He then added 11 strings of the London Philharmonic, arranged by John Barham.

Capitol/EMI raised its aforementioned ire and squashed the suggestive song, which became the rarest Apple release. Apple Records knew that partner EMI would never distribute it, so the company pressed and distributed copies themselves in 1969 (catalogue number Apple 8). http://applerecords.com

Finally, the artist issued the record on his own label, Brute Force Records. More recently, Revola issued both ‘King of Fuh’ and its original B side Nobody Knows as bonus tracks. Also, in the UK, RPM includes it on their comp, Lovers from the Sky.

Aside from the past corporate anger, now the cream will rise. Much delayed fame seems to be coming together for Brute who is on the verge of breaking free of his cult status and becoming a pop culture icon through a combination of events.

What goes around comes around and on October 26th Apple Records will, in worldwide release, promote the CD Come And Get It, The Best of Apple Records’ first commercial multi-artist compilation which includes Brutes’ recording of King of Fuh.

This may be the most public release of a previously long censored song and will certainly provide visibility for Brute.

In addition, Andrew Fuller’s production company Razor Films is in production of a feature length documentary film which tells the story of Brute Force, one of Apple’s rarest censored recording artists. Bradley Beesley, best known for his work with The Flaming Lips, is the executive producer. The 2 Virgins album by John and Yoko with its cover nudity, being another.

The film is being directed by Ben Steinbauer, acclaimed film documentarian, who’s most recent film, Winnebago Man, is currently playing in theaters nationwide. http://razorfilmsla.com

Brute wrote and recorded the LP I, Brute Force, Confections of Love for Columbia Records in 1967 which is being re-issued by Bar-None records in collaboration with Sony records. http://bar-none.com/

Watch for these events to herald the rebirth of a performer who has always been a trailblazer in the musical arts.

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