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As a member of the Sofa Surfers, Wolfgang Frisch has written downbeat-history, produced several soundtrack-scores, is part of a highly acclaimed live-band and did remixes for the likes of Ennio Morricone, Cornershop, Femi Kuti and many more. So far so good.

But now Wolfgang Frisch steps into the arena alone, with his first full length solo album, called “The Hundred”. And of course, it’s full of surprises. Although the Sofa Surfers are known to be a grass roots democratic ensemble of gifted and visionary multi-instrumentalists, each member has his specific role and Wolfgang Frisch has always been the one to bring in some more experimental as well as rock-orientated influences. His sonic excursions led also to experimenting a lot with the guitar and finding new sound-esthetics for the wide field of the 6-string. But his main focus always stayed on electronic generated sounds and programming.

Inspired by the likes of Mark Ribot, Fred Frith, King Crimson and the 70ies in general (with a special wink in the direction of Iron Maiden, sometimes), Frisch had always added some in-depth and subtle colours to the electronic and dub-driven sound of the Sofa Surfers. But don’t expect that “The Hundred” but be a full-own-experimental guitar-fondling-massacre. And don’t expect a electronic dub-album as well …  “The Hundred” is the manifestion of an original vision.

The sound of “The Hundred” is not an easy thing to pin down, sometimes it’s rocky feel makes you want to look for the next mosh-pit and sometimes the atmospherical and magical soul-tunes just let’s you get carried away. “The Hundred” is a rich album, with subtle textures, lot’s of attention to details, a very special, shadowy feel that borders on the exotic and above all, it showcases the tremendous devotion of Wolfgang Frisch to music as well. The salzburg-born thirtysomething plays all the instruments on “The Hundred”, is responsible for all the programming and electronic generated sound and naturally he’s his own producer. But also, Frisch shares his vision with friends – the songs “Perpetually” and “Blood Rivers” breathe the fresh air of the talent of a guest vocalist on the otherwise instrumental album. Steve Mathewson from the boston-based outfit The Brainmanagers (who has also played with Buffalo Tom) graces both tracks with his earthy, soulful voice.

Wolfang Frisch is now the third surfer with a solo album under his belt. And for some listeners, combing the albums of Markus Kienzl, Wolfgang Schlögl aka I-Wolf and Wolfgang Frisch will bring the specific sound of the Sofa Surfers full circle. Take the dark and bouncy dancehall excursions of Kienzl, stir it up with the earthy electronic soul of I-Wolf and mix it with the granulous and profound groove of Wolfgang Frisch and you would at least come close to see the parts of the Sofa Surfers soundscapes laid out before you.

“The Hundred” will soon be on the road, together with fellow surfers Markus Kienzl and Michael Holzgruber in a brand new live outfit, featuring also long time collaborateur Timo Novotny with his stunning visual artistry. Watch out to save the date.

But not only the sound of „The Hundred“ is something new, like King Crimson meeting 23 Skidoo at a AC/DC-gig, also the release itself has somehing to it – the label, through which “The Hundred” is being released, Shieldandspear Records, is Wolfgang Frisch’s own foundation, especially created to carry his solo-debut-album. Watch this space!