I Had A Dream

Falling Over Backwards is the sophomore CD from New Jersey's DIGGER PHELPS. It's been over 10 years since their debut CD, See You In May, and even though they started writing new material shortly after it's release, a line-up change, numerous aborted recording sessions and the relocation of 2 members hampered the progress of it's follow-up. Vocalist, guitarist and principal songwriter Charlie Woodley says It's not that we weren't focused on building on what we'd accomplished with our first album, but sometimes you have to overcome some obstacles to get to where you're going. When I joined I learned the majority of the songs on 'See You In May' says bassist Brian Dougherty but they already had another 3 or 4 songs written... and they were really good. Guitarist Michael Martin agrees. Once we started working on 'House Lights' and 'B-Movie Queen' I knew we were onto something special. We've been a very strong unit since Brian joined and we were all excited about moving forward with the new material. There was definitely a progression from the songs on 'See You In May' says drummer Clint Gascoyne, partly because we were a better band by then, but mostly due to Charlie's songwriting. Falling Over Backwards features 10 songs, all written, played, produced, recorded and mixed by DIGGER PHELPS. First single Radio City and the acoustic-guitar based The Stars Of Mendocino highlight the band's knack for dynamics. Other tracks, like Nightingale, Friends I Wish I Knew and B-Movie Queen, might be more traditional in their structure but their melodies are what grab the listener's attention. Comfort, House Lights and Plastic are more elaborate productions than anything DIGGER PHELPS had performed previously. The stomping rhythm of Know adds another new dimension to the band's sound. Only A Safer Hiding Place recalls the straight-forward style of See You In May but still show a growth in songwriting. Main Man Records included Falling Over Backwards in their release schedule as early as 2006 after DIGGER PHELPS appeared on Main Man tribute albums to KISS (C'Mon And Love Me) and Spinal Tap (Gimme Some Money). During the 6 years it took to complete the album, the band also made contributions to Main Man's tributes to The Rolling Stones (Loving Cup), The Cars (All Mixed Up) and The Runaways (featuring a cover of the Velvet Underground's Rock & Roll which The Runaways recorded for their debut album).