Scott Lucas & the Married Men Begin Work On Second Album At Chicago’s Electrical Audio and Million Yen Studios 

Local H Frontman Promises a “Country-ish Alt-rock Record For People Who Like Metal”

Andy Gerber, Greg Norman and Sanford Parker Slated To Assist

Chicago – Scott Lucas & the Married Men are in the studio this month to record the follow-up to their 2010 debut George Lassos the Moon and last fall’s The Absolute Beginner’s EP. The Local H frontman’s seven-piece “solo” band laid down tracks at Steve Albini’s Electrical Audio studio, with producer Andy Gerber (Smoking Popes, the Tossers, the Effigies) and engineer Greg Norman (Neurosis, Pinebender, Russian Circles). The band is finishing the album at Gerber’s Million Yen Studios, with renowned metal producer Sanford Parker (Bloodiest, Pelican, Yakuza) lined up to mix it. An early 2012 release on a to-be-determined label is planned.

While still backed by a collective that includes violin, organ and accordion, Lucas describes the new Married Men record as much heavier than their debut. “We’re making a country-ish, alt-rock record for people who like metal,” he declares. “The shows we’ve been playing since the first record have gotten progressively louder and heavier. And, I think this record reflects that. I mean, we haven’t turned into Slayer or anything. But we’re definitely aiming for something epic here.”

Scott Lucas & the Married Men have been adding new songs to their live sets for the past year, playing a show of entirely new material at Chicago’s Lincoln Hall last month. Fans may recognize “Steady Gaze” and “Lover the Lullaby” on the as yet untitled new album, as well as a version of “Ain’t No Grave (Gonna Hold This Body Down),” a traditional most recently associated with Johnny Cash, that the band frequently plays live. Video here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_-quXPsoCz4

Lucas is best known as the singer/guitarist for the two-man, Chicago rock band Local H. But to go it alone, he has broadened his musical scope and greatly expanded his line-up, pulling together a collective of musicians that currently numbers seven. The result is quite different than Local H and a perfect fit for Lucas’ heartfelt songs. Reviewers have compared the band to American Music Club, Paul K. & the Weathermen and Lambchop.

What critics are saying about Scott Lucas & the Married Men:

“In addition to his ability to craft indelible melodies, even when they’re delivered amid a wall of fuzz and thundering drums, one of Lucas’ strengths as a songwriter always has been a razor-sharp wit as a lyricist, coupled with a novelist’s eye for telling details. The Married Men showcase the latter in a different setting, amid sawing violins, sweeping piano lines, wheezing accordion and organ, and seductive acoustic guitar that welcome comparisons to the likes of American Music Club and Tindersticks.” — Jim DeRogatis, Pop N Stuff

“The Absolute Beginners EP is a nice snapshot of a band hitting its stride. The band’s debut album housed a collection of songs brimming with quiet strength, but the new EP showcases what a powerhouse the band has become as they’ve gradually built even more muscle onto the tunes.” — Jim Kopeny, Chicagoist

“…a massive wall of sound that is relentless live.” – Exploding in Sound

“…Lucas’ most personal and introspective songs yet…” – Greg Kot, Chicago Tribune

“[The Absolute Beginners EP] spins tales of love and loss, and it is a fabulous example of the band’s astounding progress…. The tracks are longer and more tightly put together, their power contained purely in the intimate sound-scapes they produce. Specifically in ‘Last One,’ the stunning solo violin seems to pull so gently on the listener’s heartstrings, forcing memories of lost love to resurface.” — Kathryn Nasto, CMJ

“The majority of the band’s set consisted of subtle gems, like ‘What Fools Allow,’ a tender and honest reflection of love-lost, complimented by a woeful violin part… But Lucas showed he hasn’t quite lost his hard-rock edge, as proven in the full-band breakdown of ‘Extra Special Bitter’… It was refreshing to witness a Chicago rock staple take the bold step out of the alt-rock confines and into an artistically progressive musical genre, free of the distortion pedal.” — Neph Basedow, thedelimagazine.com

“…a band finding its footing somewhere pleasant… [The Absolute Beginners EP] glitters in subtlety through the shadow of sharper sounds — the nuance of Rebecca Manthe’s violin, Tom Szidon’s multitasking piano hands, and of course, Lucas’ spot-on lyrical depth.“ – David Buchanan, Consequence of Sound

Continuing the tradition they started with last year’s sold-out holiday show, Scott Lucas & the Married Men are aiming to emulate “A Prairie Home Companion” with the evening’s set and will structure the night as an old tyme radio variety show. Surprise guests will join the band for some songs.The show will be recorded and broadcast from the band’s website www.scottlucasandthemarriedmen.com around Christmas.

Lucas, who is best known as the singer/guitarist for the two-man, Chicago rock band Local H, promises plenty of Christmas classics, like “Feliz Navidad,” Mr. Grinch” and “Christmas” from the Who’s Tommy. Lucas and his six-piece backing band, the Married Men — a collective which includes violin, organ and accordion — will also perform original songs from their forthcoming second album, tentatively titled Blood Half Moon, and Married Men staples, drawn from their first two releases: George Lassos the Moon and The Absolute Beginners EP.

“Christmas songs are awesome, and I don’t feel even slightly embarrassed or cornball about that statement,” says Lucas. “Most of them are flat out hilarious. This is our second go at this, and we want to keep doing it every year. We’re hoping to make this as much of a Christmas tradition as arguing with your uncle about politics.”

Chicago-based Purple Apple will open the show, crafting a setlist of chock full of fan favorites, holiday covers and new material. The band is made up of three 14-year-old girls and their twentysomething babysitter on drums. Since the release of their debut EP Sweet Wolverine in 2010, the girls have written more than a dozen new songs and have continued to perfect their live sound, initially at venerable venues like Schubas and The Hideout, and eventually graduating to become the youngest band to ever headline Chicago’s legendary rock venue, The Metro. They are currently working on a new EP for early 2012 release.

“There is something just so fun about playing this show,” says Olivia Eigel, Purple Apple lead singer and guitarist. “Last year was amazing! Everyone was in the holiday spirit – the whole audience was singing along. My favorite part was when we joined forces with the Married Men for a double-band cover of ‘Christmas Time is Here.’  We’ve got a few surprises up our sleeves this time around.”

Video of Scott Lucas & the Married Men performing “Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas” can be found here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IVz7YWr2H4I

Video of Scott Lucas & the Married Men and Purple Apple performing “Christmas Time Is Here” can be found here:

http://www.youtube.com/user/ralieghTsakers#p/u/2/3lVeYcTFuRE

Amen.

Details

While on our way to NYC for CMJ last OCT. (the day the Absolute Beginners EP came out in fact) we stopped off in Ohio to see our old friend Chip Midnight and record another little set for another excellent music based website.

Check it out here >