"Tucked away in a homely corner of Chico are sounds that remind me of a rusty toy found in the middle of tall dry grass somewhere in my childhood. That is of course a complimentary description of Furlough Fridays, who from head to toe have something that is very friendly about them. In the way that all best friends have that axiomatic smudge on their cheeks that let you know they are human."

“With a lineup they hope to maintain for a good long while, they are in the process of recording two full albums worth of music at a couple of Chico recording studios—Strange Seed Studios and Origami Lounge. For a band with an uncertain recent history, they believe taking on such a substantial project (or “going all Smashing Pumpkins,” as Adam Yates put it) will allow them to progress creatively.”

“Reminiscent of sultry-voiced rocker Shirley Manson, front woman Minnie Mental is awesome to watch live. Four years of playing shows in and around Chico have culminated in their first CD, What I Did on My Day Off, an EP that showcases the band’s alternative/garage-rock sensibilities. Bergmann is backed by Brian Larson on lead guitar, drummer Sam Casale and husband and wife rocker-duo Adam and Meagan Yates on rhythm and bass guitar, respectively. “Young and Dumb” gets stuck in your head immediately, as does the bouncy, aptly named “Pop Rocks,” a sweet anthem that makes you want to dance and sing along with Bergmann when she belts out the lyrics: “I’m watching you, and all your moves/ realizing you are human too/ How would you like it if I did this to you?””

“In the last year the group has become a staple of the Chico's live music scene. Performing live — the energy and feedback they receive from their audience — is something the band truly enjoys, stating that the most rewarding part is "seeing people rock out and genuinely enjoy the music." And while the group takes being bandmates and musicians seriously, of course, they also believe in the importance of keeping it fun, injecting some of their self-proclaimed "silliness" into the process. "The eclectic taste of the (band members) makes for an interesting mix, a really nice style. In this one group you have a kinesiologist, a psychologist, a nutritionist, a paramedic and a vegetarian," joked Adam Yates.”

"Furlough Fridays, a new Chico band, played their first show at Cafe Coda as part of the line up. Their music was straightforward, bar-friendly rock 'n' roll. The band was led by charismatic vocalist Linda Bergmann. Since it's formation, the mission of the group has been to 'rock the cradle.' This is an appropriate mission statement as the members also deal with 'parenthood, full time jobs, and homework'..."