On March 16, Memphis’ LUCERO will release ‘Women & Work,’ their first locally released album and debut for ATO/Shock Records, and an album which establishes them as the 21st century voice of that great musical city.
’Women & Work’ is a love letter from LUCERO to its hometown in Tennessee. “Having a band in Memphis puts you in a tradition,” says front man Ben Nichols. “We started at punk rock shows, not necessarily playing punk rock, but coming from the outside, from a bohemian place.”
‘Women & Work’, their 8th album, is such an exciting presentation of the band’s eclectic explorations that it makes their 14-year meandering path appear to be a straight line to this very record. “We’re more comfortable in our own skin as a band, more comfortable acknowledging regional influences,” says bassist John Stubblefield. “We wound up making a Memphis country soul record.”
‘Women and Work’ once again finds the core six-members of LUCERO joined by Memphis horn legends Jim Spake (Solomon Burke, Ray Charles) and Scott Thompson (Al Green, Cat Power) on eleven new, original songs that range from barroom brawlers to lonesome laments, and cut deeper than anything else in the band’s extensive catalogue. The album was recorded at Ardent Studios in Memphis, and produced by Ted Hutt (The Gaslight Anthem).
Integrating horns, pedal steel guitar, all manner of keyboards, and even a full-on gospel chorus, ‘Women & Work’ is a fully realized musical extravaganza. Drawing inspiration from Delaney & Bonnie’s obscure first album ‘Home’, LUCERO’s ambivalence about tradition has been replaced by an exuberant embrace. ‘Women & Work’ is like Arcade Fire baptized in Joe Cocker and Leon Russell’s Mad Dogs, then warmed with Don Nix’s Alabama State Troopers.
LUCERO were in Australia during October 2011 as main supports for Dropkick Murphy’s national tour. Front man Ben Nichols toured Australia throughout April 2010 as part of the Revival Tour, joined on stage by Hot Water Music’s Chuck Ragan, Avail’s Tim Barry and Frank Turner.
LUCERO are:
Ben Nichols (vocals, guitar), John C. Stubblefield (bass), Brian Venable (guitar), Rick Steff (piano, organ, accordion), Todd Beene (pedal steel), and Roy Berry (drums)