Untitled Document
As I pondered the subject of this week’s
message — the debut CD by local group the Damwell Betters — I
found myself comparing the making of a child to the production of an album.
Both creations reflect the values and personalities of the creators, and
although the original effort in each is usually fun and enjoyable, the rest
of the time spent on the project is quite a bit like work. Imagine my
surprise, then, when I discovered that the Damwell Betters’ new CD is
titled Make Love not Babies.
Regardless of any far-flung fantasies of
interconnectedness and fate-tinged directions of my peculiar notions
intermingling with those of the Damwell Betters, the analogy of making an
independently produced recording to that of making a baby is not too far
off. Even though they are childless and are now only making love (well,
let’s hope), someday, when they go through the birthing process,
I’m sure Josh Catalano and Marc Broomby of the DB’s would agree
with the comparison. They’ve spent much of the last several months
(the gestation period of albums varies greatly) in Broomby’s studio,
preparing for the release of Make Love not
Babies. From the recording of the basic tracks
through the overdub process and continuing to the mastering phase, the two
learned many of the intricacies of making a record. The result is a tight,
resourceful recording that is heartfelt and powerful, crisp and dynamic,
packing a huge wallop of rock and a small dose of introspection in a
complete package of music to damn well rave about.
The Damwell Betters, formed in November 2005,
comprises members of Mugshot, a popular local group, and bassist Broomby, a
transplant from Liverpool, England. Broomby arrived in the Springfield area
circa 2004 as a member of the John Wylde Group. When the JWG disintegrated
and the band’s namesake headed back to England, the bass player
hooked up with Catalano and the other ex-Mugshots: drummer Patrick Miller,
multiinstrumentalist Jordan Laier, and lead guitarist Michael Sullivan. For
their second official gig, the fledgling group opened for nationally
recognized alt-country group the Bottle Rockets, and the Damwell Betters
were off and running.
Catalano, a powerful and prolific songwriter and an accomplished acoustic guitarist, wanted a solid rock feel for the group and added an electric-guitar crunch to produce a not-easily-definable sound that lands somewhere in the vicinity of ’70s rock with a 21st-century attitude. Last spring Broomby collected gear and made ready to record as the band cut back on live performances so that they could hunker down in the studio to concentrate on the new CD. About halfway through the process, Sullivan left the band, and local guitar guru Joe Calandrino stepped in to take over the six-string lead work. The entire CD project was self-produced by the band, from the playing, recording, and mixing of the music to the creation of MoonPanda Records, the group’s own label, down to the cover art. Catalano taught himself enough graphic-art technique to create the CD cover using photographs taken by his wife, Kate, who also came up with the curiously clever band name. Touring plans include several short tours of the Midwest in November and December and a trip to merry old England, including Liverpool, early next spring.
Congratulations, gentlemen. Now give me
a cigar.
Delivery of the Damwell Betters’ newest addition, Make Love not Babies, is scheduled for 10 p.m.-2 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 25, at the Underground City Tavern (Hilton Springfield, 700 E. Adams, 217-789-1530). Contact Tom Irwin at tirwin@illinoistimes.com.
Catalano, a powerful and prolific songwriter and an accomplished acoustic guitarist, wanted a solid rock feel for the group and added an electric-guitar crunch to produce a not-easily-definable sound that lands somewhere in the vicinity of ’70s rock with a 21st-century attitude. Last spring Broomby collected gear and made ready to record as the band cut back on live performances so that they could hunker down in the studio to concentrate on the new CD. About halfway through the process, Sullivan left the band, and local guitar guru Joe Calandrino stepped in to take over the six-string lead work. The entire CD project was self-produced by the band, from the playing, recording, and mixing of the music to the creation of MoonPanda Records, the group’s own label, down to the cover art. Catalano taught himself enough graphic-art technique to create the CD cover using photographs taken by his wife, Kate, who also came up with the curiously clever band name. Touring plans include several short tours of the Midwest in November and December and a trip to merry old England, including Liverpool, early next spring.
Congratulations, gentlemen. Now give me
a cigar.
Delivery of the Damwell Betters’ newest addition, Make Love not Babies, is scheduled for 10 p.m.-2 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 25, at the Underground City Tavern (Hilton Springfield, 700 E. Adams, 217-789-1530). Contact Tom Irwin at tirwin@illinoistimes.com.
