Dufus

Although cult artists such as Frank Zappa, Captain Beefheart, and Ween never achieved mass commercial success, each have certainly left their mark on countless subsequent bands, including loveable New York City folk rock weirdos, Dufus. Originally formed during 1995, the multi-membered group (featuring guitars, sampler, bass, drums, plus male and female vocalists), is led by eccentric leader/multi-instrumentalist Seth Quankmeyer Faergoalzia (aka Dufuseth). Many different members have passed through the ranks of Dufus since their inception, including alt-folk artist Jeffrey Lewis, Kimya Dawson from the Moldy Peaches, and one-hit wonder Imani Coppola. Faergoalzia did not completely begin focusing on Dufus until 1998, after he dropped out of college and relocated to Brooklyn, New York. Becoming a self-described ‘hermit’ during this time, Faergoalzia recorded an obscure album with fellow NYC folk experimentalist Lach, titled Pip. Several self-released, now out-of-print, recordings followed (Our First Born, Eee*lai*font, This Revolution, and Neuborns) before the band signed with indie label ROIR, and issued 1:3:1, in 2003.


Besides performing and recording with Dufus, Faergoalzia is involved in several other projects, including Dorkestra (Dufus with a variety of orchestral instruments, Doofamily (comprised of previous bandmates passing through at the time), and a musical theatre ‘experiment’ called Fun Wearing Underwear. Despite their unpredictability, Dufus has built a large fanbase that has stretched far beyond their New York City home base.