CLIFFFS – ‘Manatee’

Released on February 14, ‘Manatee’ by CLIFFFS (yes, with three Fs) is from their new album, ‘Panic Attack’. The punk band from Dallas is fronted by John Dufilho, best known for being a member of Deathray Davies, and Apples In Stereo.

‘Manatee’, like so many punk songs, is a blink and you’ll miss it frantically paced track, but it certainly packs a wallop with its staccato drumming and fuzzy guitars.

There’s a certain rockabilly element to the track, with the guitars in particular, and then – in the last quarter, the group channels old-skool blues with the jangling guitar and screaming vocals. Absolutely perfect.

CLIFFFS have an F in their name for every member of the band. Frontman John Dufilho has produced and played on a plethora of albums; he’s also played with Deathray Davies and Apples In Stereo. John is joined by Andy Lester on bass and vocals, and Bill Spellman on drums, and vocals, making it a tight knit group but also very convincingly illustrating the phrase, “less is more”.

The video for ‘Manatee’, shot in black and white, shows the three bandmembers rocking it out in what appears to be a garden studio, having an absolute blast of a jam session. It’s as fun as the song – the lyrics blast out of the gate, setting your heart racing as they sing about going for a drive, meeting some people, and finding a manatee at the aquarium that…looked like their doctor…it’s mad, it’s rad, it’s somewhat hilariously unhinged…but it’s perfect.

You can find CLIFFFS and their music online on Bandcamp, Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

Watch the video for ‘Manatee’ below:

CLIFFFS - Manatee from the new record PANIC ATTACK

About the author

Lisa has been writing for over 20 years, starting as the entertainment editor on her university newspaper. Since then she's written for Popwrapped, Maximum Pop, Celebmix, and ListenOnRepeat.

Lisa loves all good music, with particular fondness for Jedward and David Bowie. She's interviewed Edward Grimes (Jedward), Kevin Godley, Trevor Horn, Paul Young, Peter Cox (Go West), Brendan B Brown (Wheatus), Bruce Foxton (The Jam), among many many more. Lisa is also available for freelance writing - please email lisa@essentiallypop.com