the Sunday Saints

From their hometown of Austin, TX, The Bellfuries are constantly within earshot of the latest catchphrase and new brands are always within their peripheral view.“Well and good,” says vocalist/chief songwriter Joey Simeone, “but we’re a rock and roll band. People are obsessed with categories and sub-genres. We check into a hotel, and the guy or girl behind the desk asks what kind of music we play. We say ‘rock and roll.’ Then they ask what we mean by that. Well, let’s see…“There are elements of country music and R&B. There’s some improvisation on stage that I guess you could say is jazz-inspired. Throw in some gospel…plenty of melodies coming out of older pop tunes. That adds up to rock and roll, last time I checked. If we’re not re-inventing the wheel, I’d rather get to work than worry about renaming it.”The Bellfuries' debut on Hi-Style Records, Workingman's Bellfuries, hoists the band, which also includes Jeff Seaver on bass, Mike Molnar on lead guitar and Chris Sensat on drums and vocals, to new heights, drawing upon a deep well of musical styles. Early country, rockabilly and 80's pop sounds are woven throughout eleven tracks, with Joey Simeone’s soaring lead vocals reminding listeners that this record isn’t some dusty artifact plucked from the archives. With razor-sharp, groove-oriented production from label owner and acclaimed producer Jimmy Sutton (JD McPherson, Pokey LaFarge), Workingman's Bellfuries is a refreshing iteration of The Bellfuries' sound; tinkling boogie piano, driving double bass rhythms and innovative-meets-traditional rockabilly guitar licks make the album an easy fit for a juke-joint dance floor. But it is Simeone's vivid songwriting--his exploration of the complexities of love and loss-- that makes Workingman's Bellfuries instantly relatable to every listener. Don't let its mid-century aesthetics fool you; Workingman's Bellfuries is a vibrant contemporary rock and roll record.