The Feelies

The Profile

The Feelies are an American rock band formed in 1976 in Haledon, New Jersey, by Glenn Mercer and Bill Million. Their debut, Crazy Rhythms (1980), became a landmark of nervy, minimalist new wave/post-punk. The Good Earth (1986), co-produced by R.E.M.’s Peter Buck, highlighted their crystalline jangle. After releases including Only Life (1988) and Time for a Witness (1991), they paused in 1992 and reunited in 2008, later issuing Here Before (2011) and In Between (2017).

Known for intricate guitar interlock, propulsive rhythm patterns, and Velvet Underground lineage; key early drummer Anton Fier played on Crazy Rhythms; The Good Earth was co-produced by Peter Buck of R.E.M.

Two DeBaser reviews celebrate The Feelies’ twin pillars: the terse, nervy new wave of Crazy Rhythms and the luminous jangle of The Good Earth. The band’s precision rhythms, guitar lattices, and Velvet Underground echoes are front and center. Peter Buck’s role on The Good Earth and Anton Fier’s drumming on Crazy Rhythms get due praise. A concise primer on why The Feelies remain essential to indie rock.