Flippin’ The Bird Released 1999

Who Cares reached a point where they needed to get signed to a label and this EP was the collection of songs to hopefully do it. Jim Sabella stepped into the role of producer to slow the tempos down and bring out some more radio friendly hooks. The four songs on this EP were documents of the sound of the late 90’s and early 2000’s. Taking tips from hybrid rock acts like Incubus and Sublime the band was able to instill their sound into current trends.

“Vertigo” has a bouncy chorus with a hook that audiences could easily grab onto. “Makeovers'' takes a sardonic and sarcastic poke at the talk show phenomenon of the period. The tapping guitar lick gave the song it’s slick sound. “27” refers to musicians elevated to godlike status and how that could lead to a tragic life. The pulsating rhythms in the bass and drums propelled the dark message of the song. “Closer” takes the listener into the obsessive mind of a stalker. With a funky verse and huge chorus this song was the paradigm shift of songwriting maturity for the band.

Flippin The Bird is sonically the most focused and professional recording Who Cares has in it’s discography. While it lacks the adventurous musical exploration and frivolity experienced on Radiator People, it’s sole purpose was to be easily accessible and radio friendly. When listening to this collection of songs with that in mind it gives the listener a whole other side of the band perhaps they never even thought existed before this recording.