Golden Ones Share a Scintillating Look into Each Track on Their Debut Album, ‘Nowhere Fast’

We have some “golden ones” for you today, and they come with a heavy dose of glam. That’s right, it’s Golden Ones, the alt-glam rock powerhouse who just released their debut full-length, Nowhere Fast, back on November 27th via Horton Records. Based out of Tulsa, Oklahoma, the band, featuring singer and guitarist Sarah Frick, guitarist Sean Fisher, bassist Jesse Frick, and drummer Jay Sullivan, make it quite apparent through their sound how much they love and appreciate vintage glam rock, with their name even lifted from a line in David Bowie’s classic “Oh! You Pretty Things.”

The influence of Bowie is quite apparent throughout the album, with that ‘70s glam influence apparent throughout its ten tracks. Nowhere Fast was recorded in only two days this past July at Leon Russell’s Paradise Studio. Thematically, the songs touch on current global affairs, the anxiety we develop as we grow older, feminism, addiction, and that pesky little thing called love. It all goes hand in hand with a barrage of crunchy guitars, booming drums, addictive melodies, and ‘70s style grooves.

In celebration of the recent release of Nowhere Fast, we connected with all four members of Golden Ones for a special track-by-track rundown where we explore all the background and details you would ever want to know behind the writing and recording of an album.

1. “Call To Arms”

Jay Sullivan: “I remember Jesse coming to us with a riff and feeling like ‘this is my chance to throw down a dance beat!’ This track really made me feel like we were coming together as a band.”

Sarah Frick: “‘Call to Arms’ is a rallying cry for all the misfits out there to always be their unique selves and to question authority and the status quo.”

2. “Larger Than Life”

Sullivan: “This track gave me the opportunity to show my love for John Bonham without feeling too nerdy. I’ve never written drum parts like this, but our band’s musicianship made it easy for me.”

S. Frick: “‘Larger Than Life’ is meant to transport the listener back in time to the glitter and glam of 1970’s rock n’ roll.”

3. “Altar”

Jesse Frick: “Another song that I had originally written on guitar. This was a Keith Richards open G tuning inspired riff initially. After writing the riff in open G and taking it to Sean, he transposed it to a standard tuned riff and took it to the next level with his magic. This was also one of the first songs where I feel the band was starting to form our own sound and each individual was contributing to shape Golden Ones. When Jay first played that dancy drum beat, it lit me up and gave the song its soul. Sarah’s lyrics and attitude demand well deserved R E S P E C T. I love a woman in charge and you gotta pay her propers when you get home. There’s no doubt you’ll be kneeling at the Altar to the Saint of Golden Ones our lady Sarah.”

Artwork for ‘Nowhere Fast’ by Golden Ones

4. “Feel Bad”

Sean Fisher: “This song was a push for me as a player and what I had in mind was to write a late ‘70s banger but with a touch of music theory mixed in. I always love hearing my favorite players on certain tracks where you can tell they’re flexing a new concept for them. It feels so real and honest. I wanted to try and have the same vibe.”

Sullivan: “This track felt like a culmination of all of our efforts. Ripping guitar, strong vocals, a badass bass line and an opportunity for me to show off a high tempo dance beat.”

S. Frick: “If you listen closely there’s a bunch of 2000s emo references in this one. Such a fun song to play!”

5. “Blood Stained Mouth”

Fisher: “This song just makes me feel good and after getting the lyrics in there it makes me feel even better. The inspiration for this one mostly came from Wayne’s World and other movies like that. Something short and sweet to help people feel better even if it’s only for two and a half minutes.”

6. “Hot Mama”

J. Frick: “A song that was born before the band. This song is the result of listening to a lot of Alice Cooper and New York Dolls. I originally wrotethe riff on guitar with a ‘Schools Out’ idea in mind. Started with that and added a sleazy ‘Personality Crisis’ inspired chorus. Just my tribute to raw powered, chainsaw rock n roll. Us doing the ‘70s doing the ‘50s. Sarah of course took the vibe of the music and gave it life with her story like lyrics that transport you to that dingy dive bar, leaving you smitten by the ‘Hot Mama’ coming for you. It was one of the first Golden Ones songs and it captures the essence of what our foundations were as a starting point for a band.”

7. “No Plan”

S. Frick: “I feel like this is the most relatable song I’ve ever written. It’s about getting older and all the pressure that comes with it. Feeling like you haven’t achieved enough or having to keep certain standards for yourself. All while coping with existential dread. The perfect song for 2020.”

8. “Ashes”

Fisher: “This song is my complete and total send up to Neil Giraldo. Old school Benetar vibes for days with a little extra shred. Strat, Marshall, chorus pedal, the works. I also really wanted to see what the band could do on a 6/8 shuffle and they absolutely killed it! Really happy with the way that song came out and I really think it shows off the musical growth this band has done over the years.”

9. “Ain’t Nothing Better”

J. Frick: “This was this first song Sean brought to the table and boy is it a doozy. Full bore, unadulterated, blitzkrieg rock n roll. From the intro to the ripping solo that stabs you in the face as your left struggling for air. This song goes. This was our first ‘banger’ and holds its own, no questions asked. I personally have always loved this song because of the lyrical context as well. It’s a high voltage love song. A proclamation of that pure feeling of being with the one that loves you and makes you feel whole. During the bridge where the song drops down low and Sarah and Sean do their call and response leads, I like to think of Otis Day and The Knights ‘Shout’ scene from Animal House. ‘Get a little bit softer now… get a little bit louder now…’ There ain’t nothin quite like that ‘50s rock n’ roll. This song is also the song where I do my Iggy inspired backbend.”

10. “Who’s Gonna Save Us Now?

S. Frick: “This is a really personal song. It’s about the struggles of alcoholism and how it can wreak havoc on your relationships and your life. It was the last song we wrote for the record. Jesse had the chord progression he was messing around with and I commandeered it, wrote the lyrics for it and bam! It turned out very different than how it started. Much darker and moodier. It’s one of those songs that is at the top of my vocal range and I think that really adds to the rawness of the song.”