Silicone Grown

The Zoo Crew is spinning the infectious "Silicone Grown" by Faces from their 1973 album Ooh La La, and the Zoo Freaks are surely grooving to its cheeky, raucous vibe. This track, written by Rod Stewart and Ronnie Wood, stands out as a lively rocker on an album marked by internal band tensions. According to Ian McLagan in the liner notes of the Faces box set, the recording of Ooh La La was fraught with challenges, particularly due to Rod Stewart’s burgeoning solo career, which led to him missing the first two weeks of sessions. This left Ronnie Lane to steer much of the album, but "Silicone Grown" was a product of Stewart and Wood’s collaboration, delivering a playful, edgy sound that captures the band’s raw energy. The song’s lyrics, with lines like “Wait a minute honey, I don’t think the joke’s too funny,” hint at a humorous take on artificial enhancements, adding to its bold, irreverent charm.

Another piece of trivia about "Silicone Grown" is its place in the Faces’ final studio album, which reached number one in the UK Albums Chart in April 1973. The album’s production, helmed by Glyn Johns, was a saving grace amidst the band’s turmoil. Johns managed to keep the group focused, resulting in a concise and vibrant record. Interestingly, the album’s iconic cover, featuring a stylized photograph of “Gastone,” a 1920s Italian comedian character, was interactive—pressing the sleeve’s top edge made Gastone’s eyes shift and his mouth drop into a leering smile, a gimmick that delighted fans. While "Silicone Grown" itself didn’t chart as a single like the album’s hit "Cindy Incidentally," its gritty rock spirit has made it a fan favorite, often celebrated in fan discussions on platforms like The Faces Fan Group on Facebook.

The Faces, formed in 1969, emerged from the ashes of the Small Faces after Steve Marriott left to form Humble Pie. Rod Stewart, Ronnie Wood, Ronnie Lane, Ian McLagan, and Kenney Jones came together to create a band known for its boozy, bluesy rock and roll. Their start was organic, born out of a shared love for raw, soulful music and a camaraderie that defined their early years. Stewart, already gaining traction as a solo artist, brought a distinctive voice, while Wood’s guitar riffs and Lane’s songwriting added depth. Their debut album, First Step (1970), was a rough-and-ready introduction, but it was A Nod Is As Good As a Wink… to a Blind Horse (1971) that cemented their reputation, with hits like “Stay With Me.” The band’s loose, party-like live performances made them a staple of the early ‘70s rock scene, though tensions, particularly around Stewart’s solo success, led to their breakup in 1975.

For more on the Faces, check out their official presence through Ronnie Wood’s website at ronniewood.com/faces. You can also follow Ronnie Wood on Facebook, Instagram, and X for updates, as he frequently shares Faces-related content. Rod Stewart’s social media, including Facebook, Instagram, and X, also occasionally references the band. Fans can connect on The Faces Fan Group on Facebook, a vibrant community sharing memories and rare photos. While no official Faces fan website dominates, the band’s legacy lives on through these platforms and tribute sites like the-faces.com, which offers discographies and historical insights.