Submerge Magazine May 2019

NORCAL BOHÈME • ACCORDING TO BAZOOKA BALANCE THE BREEZY AND THE BITTERSWEET ON THIRD ALBUM, THE DEVIL’S IN THE DETAILS
by ANDREW RUSSELL May 17th, 2019 Submerge Magazine issue #291

On the cover of According to Bazooka’s third and latest album, the Davis quartet cast a long shadow over a country road, distant and faced away toward a wide screen of luminous blue sky. Are they following the fading light, dirgelike, a second line band holding a jazz funeral for the sun? Or are they seizing a new day, catching tomorrow unawares and keeping the light for themselves like a newfound fortune? They don’t always leave things in the open for easy interpretation; the best answer is to be found of the album’s title: The Devil’s in the Details. 

Roughly six years ago, According to Bazooka (often abbreviated as A2B), emerged from the beloved Davis-based cover band Cold Shot, featuring the two principal players from that project, René Martucci and Richard Urbino. Comfortable with having five decades of pop music as their playground, they managed to graft the sum of their divergent influences onto a more personal blueprint of hooks and riffs, developing a fully original repertoire of songs running the gamut from blues, heartland rock and zydeco to polka, calypso and country—all of them steeped in the freewheeling spirit of casual experimentation that suffused the Northern California scene of the ‘60s. 

Functioning as a duo for their first two albums, Easy Come, Easy Go (2015) and Where We Are Now (2017), the heart of A2B lies in Urbino’s deceptively carefree and straightforward lyrics (with an underlying hint of caustic humor) and Martucci’s clean harmonies and jaunty (at times wistful) accordion work. It was the accordion, along with the bouzouki, a Greek stringed instrument, that first lent the group their quirky moniker. In recent years, they’ve been rounded out with a rhythm section (Jamie Knapp on standup bass, Don Johnston on drums), adding a new depth and muscle into their genre explorations. On The Devil’s in the Details (coming to Bandcamp on May 11), the leisurely, Caribbean-tinged “Lover’s Lane” easily drifts into the upbeat Tejano flavor of “I’m the One,” each song adding up to something that can loosely be called “Americana” in the best sense, not limited to any one regional palette. 

A2B’s omnivorous proclivities stem in part from the core duo’s alternate roles as music instructor (Urbino) and sculptor/art teacher (Martucci). For the former, a broad student base produces the need to communicate stylistically across generational lines, and for the latter, the tinkerer’s notion that pop music, as a raw material, can be molded into wildly different textures. They’ve managed to find inspiration in everything from the San Francisco sound to public access polka shows from the Midwest; years spent playing the hits has made them unusually attuned to audience dynamics, and often the kernel of their creativity is a matter of tracing the shaking, swaying and singing-along of the crowd back to the melody that made it happen. 

Whether raiding multiple eras and musical traditions, or pushing standard love song fare off-kilter with clever narrative twists, A2B still manage to be undemanding and buoyant performers, ready to lively up any venue with their detailed (sometimes devilish) brand of bohemian pop know-how. 

I think I lost track of counting how many genres were represented in your music. What is the root of your musical adventurousness? 
Richard Urbino: I’ve been listening to pop music since I was a kid. I have other leanings—for blues guitar styles, for instance—so that affects some of the things we do. But I don’t demand that every song have some big guitar part in it. Stylistically, I’m just interested in whatever speaks to me in a given moment. Recently, I was thinking about how in the ‘60s, there was a San Francisco sound that I enjoyed, bands like Moby Grape. If you listen to them, you’ll hear a rock band, you’ll hear a country band, you’ll hear some jazziness, and the reason for that is, there were five people in the band and they were all writing, they were all bringing different influences into the group. 

In our group, on our last album, I wrote all the songs, so I’m just trying to pick a bunch of diverse, interesting sounds. Our bass player plays a stand-up; she comes from a somewhat folky, somewhat jazz background. Don is kind of a jazz guy, but also a touch of pop, and Rene and I, if you take our history with Cold Shot, there was a lot of cover tunes, so we were exposed to a lot of different styles that way. 

For the third album, was there a long repertoire of songs you had already written, or did you start from scratch? 
RU: In Davis, we have something called The Performer’s Circle. We play there typically once a month. So, one of the challenges is to write and finish a new song to perform there. A lot of the songs started out that way. 
René Martucci: The event is fairly close quarters. Most of the [people in the] audience are performers themselves and very focused on what’s going on. But they’re a very good listening audience. It’s how we’ve debuted a lot of our songs, and it’s a good motivator. We’ve been going there for about two years now. 
RU: It can be a little intimidating, too. If you’re talking quietly in the back row, someone in the front row will shush you. But it’s a great place to get feedback. We presented a new song last weekend, and midway through the song, the crowd was singing along with it. They’d never heard it before in their lives. It’s just interesting how if they’re feeling it, they’ll give it back to you. 

René, with Cold Shot you were mainly on the guitar. How does switching to accordion change your approach? 
RM: I think both instruments bring out different ways of writing. And then there’s multiple ways to approach an instrument. I think of the accordion as a keyboard, but also as little organ because of how the notes sustain, how it breathes and has an expression to it. People have described some of our records as having “lots of happy accordion,” but there can be a real melancholy to the instrument, too. 

How does one of your songs begin to develop? Do you start with a style you want to work with first, or is that added later? 
RU: I start thinking of a vibe that the song should have. If I’ve already written something that I feel is going down one road, then I would just as soon never write another song that sounds too similar to it if possible. If one song is in four-four, then the next has to be three-four, or at least swing a bit. Maybe after a while I can return to a thought I used, but I like to keep it moving. The other thing is that melodies will come to me all the time. The way I listen to music, I like to approach it like a talent show or—say, when you’re watching a talk show, and the musical guest is someone you’ve never heard of before, and when they play, whatever genre they happen to be in, I think, “Is there a hook there?” Is there enough of a melody that I can remember later on, or something in the lyrics that will stick with me after the song is over? Or have I gone through a minute and a half and still have no idea what’s going on in the song—a song that has no stick-itiveness to it? I’m always looking for a melody that can come across and stay with you for more than a fleeting moment. 

Through all of the genres that appear in your work, it seems to me that they’re all in some way “good living” music. Would you describe it that way, and if so, what does that term mean to you? 
RM: Just sort of making choices and living in the world, dealing with the things that people deal with, life’s ups and downs. Music is the way we get out what’s bugging us—that little pebble in your shoe. Even if a lot of the songs are cautionary tales of heartbreak, sometimes you just have to laugh at the way things go. 
RU: There’s always a touch of humor in it, without going for the obvious cheap shot. I don’t want to pick a subject matter or lyrics that are completely obvious. The humor is there if you want to find it, but I want it to be a little under the radar. 

Many of the songs on the latest album are upbeat, but have a slightly bitter tinge. Any inside jokes or stories behind the songs that the listener might not catch on to? 
RU: Probably all of them. We don’t ever explain too much about what’s really going on. We have this recurring theme of “agonizing reappraisal.” There was this commercial back in the ‘70s—these two hippies talking about ‘60s music, and one of them says, “It was a time of agonizing reappraisal,” and that struck me as really humorous. It could mean that relationship you were in that just went south, or a Thanksgiving dinner-type situation where you feel like telling someone exactly how you feel about them, but instead of telling them point-blank, you’ll write them a song. They’ll either catch on or they won’t! 

A2B has been described as having a particularly Californian (or Northern Californian) flavor. How would you describe this? 
RM: Our Northern California influences are based out of San Francisco and Sacramento mostly—bands like the Grateful Dead, Jefferson Airplane, Moby Grape, Quicksilver Messenger Service. These bands, like A2B, had members with different insights and genre-shifted with ease … Rock, folk, blues and jazz influences came into the songwriting as it does with A2B. Growing up in the area, we developed an affinity and love for these styles. 

What does eclecticism mean to you? 
RU: Being open to different influences and really listening. One day, I might have Stravinsky melodies going through my head. I’m also a huge Beatles fan. I was telling one of my students the other day that “New Rose” by The Damned is a great song, and they said, “I don’t see how can you say that when there’s a song like ‘Stairway to Heaven.’” But it’s not like that—there’s something in both songs that are great, they have different energies. You have to throw away all of your preconceived ideas you have about what the song is and find out what is actually in it that strikes you. 
RM: When you talk about the Beatles, for instance, how many different genres can be found on some of their albums? When you’re listening to albums like Rubber Soul, you don’t feel as if every song has to sound like the last one. When a band, or even a type of music is just starting out, there’s freedom to experiment. Nobody’s decided that you can only do things in a certain way. Then as you go along, people have expectations for things to be done one way. There was that recent controversy over whether a song belonged in the country charts or not. How strong do the rules really have to be? The average person isn’t necessarily making or using all these categories. As far as being eclectic, I think it’s the normal way to go. I mean, I can understand liking something in a certain genre. But why limit yourself? Being flexible, opening yourself up to all these different flavors. It’s hard to imagine not wanting to do that. 

You’ll have multiple chances to celebrate the release of According to Bazooka’s new album, The Devil’s in the Details. See the band live at Fox and Goose (1001 R St.) on Friday, May 17, for the official album release show. Also catch them at Father Paddy’s (435 Main St., Woodland) on Saturday, May 25; Der Biergarten (2332 K St.) on Saturday, June 8; Back at Fox and Goose on Saturday, June 8; And many other upcoming regional dates. Check out Accordingtobazookamusic.com for more info and a full list of shows. 

**This piece first appeared in print on pages 18 – 19 of issue #291 (May 8 – 22, 2019)**

The Ark of Music

October 2021

Swanky album review

https://thearkofmusic.com/according-to-bazooka-swanky

It’s been a while since we’ve heard from Americana foursome According to Bazooka. We last heard from the group in 2019 with the release of their third studio album The Devil’s in the Details, a project we found to be “uncommonly smooth. Island-esque. Anti-drama.” Now the California-based ensemble is back this year with their fourth full-length release. 

The band has maintained the same lineup since their last album: Richard Urbino (vocals, guitar, songwriting), René Martucci  (vocals, accordion, keyboards),  Jamie Knapp (harmony vocals, upright bass),  and Don Johnston (drums). Together these four endlessly compatible musicians have combined to create this year’s release Swanky, which houses a collection of relatable, original, down-to-earth songs. 

HERE’S WHAT WE DUG MOST… 

The album opens with the smooth and saccharine Memories of Summer. Dreamy vocals and a perpetual warmth are the foundation of this track, creating a particularly vintage flavor that radiates sunniness from days gone by. The lyrical imagery is poignant and evocative, printing us  a polaroid of an old memory: 

“California town on a warm summer night 
Once again, I wait at the old stop light 
I’m alone and tired and I’ve got too much to do 
Someone on the street makes me think of you“ 

Fun energy abounds in the light and twangy Bakersfield. The shuffling beat and close vocal harmonies carry the classic (and true) tale of a road-weary musician on the way home. 

I’ll Go Looking For you leans in a soft-rock direction, with plenty of layers of percussion driving the track, all the while making great use of rich, full vocal harmonies. The chimes add a welcome pop of brightness at their every appearance. 

The simplistic and relaxed bluesy elements of Nothing Fancy suit the storyline to a tee. The duet between Urbino and Martucci is a fun lesson in sonic juxtaposition – the soft and sleek vocals from Martucci contrast wonderfully against the raspier, smokier timbre that Urbino possesses. Don’t sleep on the guitar solo at 1:20 as it’s the essence of the track boiled down to 15 seconds: straightforward, uncomplicated, but perfectly executed. 

There’s a hint of funkiness beneath all the rock ‘n roll of Better Safe Than Sorry. This track perfectly suits Urbino’s classic-rock-style vocals, complete with plenty of crunchy guitar and organ tones. A theremin makes an appearance on this track, its sci-fi-esque sound a unique and memorable textural element. 

OUR FAVORITE TRACK… 

There’s pure artistry on display in All In Your Head. A beautiful accordion intro gives way to a haunting acoustic-led composition driven by double bass, with the vocals showcasing a melody with just the right balance of eeriness to sell the story. And the story is heavy – painting a dramatic picture of paranoia, fear, and self-doubt: 

“Do you think someone’s trying to follow you 
Is it true what the neighbors have said 
Are you thinking that rumor just might be true 
Could it be that it’s all in your head“ 

In short, it’s a beautiful, emotive example of the darker side of Americana. 

IN CONCLUSION… 

According To Bazooka undoubtedly carries on their path of uncomplicated brilliance with Swanky. They walk the fine line between minimal production and developing a full sound, writing substantial songs and orchestrating arrangements around them that suit each track without ever falling into the traps of predictability. And any band who can so seamlessly integrate something as stately as an accordion into track after track without letting it overtake their sound should be held in high regard – it’s indicative of a masterful understanding of composition and production. This band effortlessly takes a range of influences and blends them into one seamless creation, where musical cohesion and excellence reign supreme at each and every measure.

 

May 19 2019

The Devil's in the Details album review

http://thearkofmusic.com/according-to-bazooka-3

Describing their blended sound as a combination of rock, blues, jazzy-pop, folk-rock, Tejano, zydeco, and retro-pop; just over a year ago we reviewed the album, Where We Are Now, by the Davis, California-based Americana-Pop outfit know as, According To Bazooka. We called it, “…a truly authentic piece of Americana music. Meaning:  Americana in its truest sense of the word:  a sonic melting-pot of a multitude of influences.” 

“…songs of relatable stories that dip into the communal subconscious.” 

Fast-forward almost 14 months, and Richard Urbino (guitar, singer-songwriter),René Martucci (vocals, accordion, keyboards), Jamie Knapp (harmony vocals, upright bass), and Don Johnston (drums), have followed-up that album as well as 2015’s Easy Come, Easy Go with this year’s The Devil’s In The Details, a lively and spirited collection of songs which—in A2B’s trademark style—find the ability to put a tastefully playful spin on some heavy subject matter. 

“We often look at life’s ups and downs with an ‘easy come easy go’ attitude.” 

HERE’S WHAT WE DUG MOST… 

OUR FAVORITE TRACK… 
The album’s opener, Just Another Breakup Song, goes down easy with it’s ultra mellow-clever combination of jazzy-Doo-wop-accordion goodness, and Martucci’s Patti Page-esque vocal timbre. Ready to move on with a wink and smile? This is your theme song… 

“Raise your hand if you did it right 
Raise your hand if you did it wrong 
Toss and turn all through the night 
It’s just another breakup song…” 

You ever had a partner who drove your circle crazy, and you found yourself trying to sell him or her? It’s like Huey Lewis and the News cut a track with Jimmy Buffett in,You Gotta Get To Know Her. 

Lazy Walking pans accordion in one ear, mouth harp in the other, and kicks in a nice & lazy electric solo in this ode to chilling-the-hell-out and minding your own business. Name that genre, will you? Good luck! 

Don’t Come Running sees this usually-light-hearted foursome getting just a bit more serious in this pre-redemption break-up tune. It’s simple, It’s acoustic. It’s honest. It really works well. 

Ghost rejuvenates our previous comparisons of René Martucci to Morcheeba’ Skye Edwards. Her vocals are an instrument unto themselves. Just lovely. 

You’re In Love feels like the theme-song to the next Netflix dramedy. 

IN CONCLUSION… 
Uncommonly smooth. Island-esque. Anti-drama. According to Bazooka’s 3rd studio album, The Devil’s in the Details, offers a smart-&-gentle sonic respite in a musical culture that’s arguably becoming just a bit too loud and self-important. An album almost exclusively dedicated to the failed and desperate relationships of planet Earth, the members of A2B have an uncommon ability to paint plenty of light into a dark scene, willing the emotional landscape to change through song alone, turning tragedy into light-hearted reflection. It’s really something. 

WHOSE LOVECHILD…? 
Jimmy Buffett meets Patti Page… 

INDIE BAND GURU

ACCORDING TO BAZOOKA SHOWS US THAT ‘THE DEVIL’S IN THE DETAILS’ 
BY Keith Pro May 24, 2019 https://indiebandguru.com/according-to-bazooka-devil-details

The amazing history of music has taken us to a great point in modern times. With the multitude of different genres formed through the years, current bands can select pieces of each sound to create something fresh yet still relatable to the music of the past. Our recent discovery According To Bazooka does just that with their warm and happy vibe of truly original sounding music. 

The 4-piece from Davis, California is made up of Richard Urbino (vocals, guitar), René Martucci (vocals, accordion, keyboards), Jamie Knapp (harmony vocals, upright bass), and Don Johnston (drums.) Together as According To Bazooka they mix a wide variety of classic sounds from Americana to Zydeco to create their own genre that they call Retro-Pop. It is a fun style that is bound to put a smile on your face. Within their songs, the band is not afraid to dive into their personal experiences. We all go through these ups and downs making According To Bazooka a very relatable band. 

Earlier this month According To Bazooka released their third studio album entitled The Devil’s In The Details. The 11-track ride takes the listener through the full gamut of their influences and welcomes them to a new sound to love. From the dark jazzy beginnings of “Just Another Breakup Song”, you know you are in for a journey. The female vocals here are magnificent with a silky tenor that draws the listener in. 

The zydeco/Tejano inspired beat of “I’m The One” builds up a toe-tapping energy even with a relatively depressing lyric. The accordion takes its turn to lead the way here creating an interesting vibe that is truly unique. The band switches gears again with the heavy blues inspired “Lazy Walking”. Here, the male vocals sweep our ears with a tone that turns to melody in our ears. 

According To Bazooka Takes Us In Multiple Directions All At Once 

Probably the most classic rock sounding track in the invigorating “Ghost”. The guitars and keyboards combine for a backdrop full of sound to fill your speakers. Although the beat is different from previous songs it is just as catchy. Producer David Houston has done amazing work here. 

As the record closes with the dark intro of “Low Resistance” the song soon shifts to a mesh of peppy piano, fancy guitar playing, and some accordion thrown in as well. The sounds take turns keeping the listener guessing where the track can go next. The mix of simplicity and expert playing is intoxicating demanding a full listen and even a few repeats.

Indie Music Discovery

According to Bazooka Blend Rockabilly, Country, Zydeco and Vintage Pop Vibes, New Album Now Available 

by Joshua (J.Smo) Smotherman May 17, 2019

https://www.indiemusicdiscovery.com/according-to-bazooka-devils-in-the-details/

According To Bazooka-The Devil's In The Details 

Fresh off two SAMMIES (Sacramento Music Awards) nominations for Best Folk/Bluegrass Band and Best Singer Songwriter, Northern California based neo-folk, vintage pop rockers According to Bazooka have delivered a roots rockin’ album that seamlessly blends elements of blues, zydeco, rockabilly, folk and retro pop melodies. The name of that album is The Devil’s In The Details. 

Archtop guitar, accordion, upright bass, drums and vocal harmonies form the delightful, organic wall of sound that defines the A2B signature sound. Packed full of honesty, infectious energy, memorable melodies and relatable tales about being a human, The Devil’s in the Details stirs nostalgia while reminding us that consistently great song crafting guarantees a cohesive, seamless album which goes against the grain in a singles-driven, digital world. This record also shows that vintage pop and it’s mass appeal stand strong through the test of time. 

Featuring Richard Urbino on guitar and vocals, René Martucci on accordion and vocals, Jamie Knapp on upright bass and vocals, and Don Johnston on drums and percussion, A2B entrusted the production work on this album to David Houston while recording at Moon Studio. The result is a vintage roots rock album that will feel familiar to some while sounding new and refreshing to others. 

The Devil’s in the Details is the group’s third studio album. In 2017, they released Where We Are Now. That album was preceded by their 2015 debut Easy Come Easy Go. 

According To Bazooka-The Devil's In The Details 

Fresh off two SAMMIES (Sacramento Music Awards) nominations for Best Folk/Bluegrass Band and Best Singer Songwriter, Northern California based neo-folk, vintage pop rockers According to Bazooka have delivered a roots rockin’ album that seamlessly blends elements of blues, zydeco, rockabilly, folk and retro pop melodies. The name of that album is The Devil’s In The Details. 

Archtop guitar, accordion, upright bass, drums and vocal harmonies form the delightful, organic wall of sound that defines the A2B signature sound. Packed full of honesty, infectious energy, memorable melodies and relatable tales about being a human, The Devil’s in the Details stirs nostalgia while reminding us that consistently great song crafting guarantees a cohesive, seamless album which goes against the grain in a singles-driven, digital world. This record also shows that vintage pop and it’s mass appeal stand strong through the test of time. 

Featuring Richard Urbino on guitar and vocals, René Martucci on accordion and vocals, Jamie Knapp on upright bass and vocals, and Don Johnston on drums and percussion, A2B entrusted the production work on this album to David Houston while recording at Moon Studio. The result is a vintage roots rock album that will feel familiar to some while sounding new and refreshing to others. 

The Devil’s in the Details is the group’s third studio album. In 2017, they released Where We Are Now. That album was preceded by their 2015 debut Easy Come Easy Go.

The Ark of Music

March 28 2018

Where We Are Now album review

http://thearkofmusic.com/according-to-bazooka

Based in the small northern California college town of Davis, you might bump into the four-piece Americana-Pop outfit know as,According To Bazooka, if you’re ever out on the town in nearby Sacramento. 

Named after the two instruments originally used (the accordian and the Bouzouki) by the creative core duo and founding members, Richard Urbino (guitar, songwriting, vocals, harmonica) and René Martucci (songwriting, accordion, organ, vocals); the band’s name also takes on a semi-philosophical context in reference to the random, comical advice offered in Bazooka Bubble Gum comics. This easy-going sensibility has resulted in a mutual intention between the two songwriters to simply never take the music too seriously.(Spoiler alert:  We think it works.) 

Feeling the need to more fully round-out their live sound, they would eventually bring on the additions of,Jamie Knapp (upright bass, vocals) and Don Johnston (drums, percussion). 

Previous projects include their debut, 2015’s Easy Come, Easy Go, the precursor to their new album, Where We Are Now, an accessible, spirited, and acoustically-grounded body of work. 

HERE’S WHAT WE DUG MOST… 

Opening with a track that immediately reminded me of the 60’s Beatles hit, Love Me Do, is the, harmonica infused, I’m Too Busy, a feisty anti-love song, accurate for an overly-busy culture. 

The casual, skip-along, Victim Of Circumstance, has the spirit of the The Jungle Book’s iconic, The Bare Necessities. Urbino makes his swing-style plea for love, hits a few licks, and moves along. 

OUR FAVORITE TRACK… 
An almost trip-hop-esque groove infuses the album’s title track, Where We Are Now. Stick around for a pair of ambient, electric solos at 1:55 and 3:05. The track reminds me of a cross between 311’s, Amber, and Morcheeba’s, Aqualung. 

Round And Round sounds like something that should be on the Ocean’s 11 sound-score. Tell me I’m wrong. 

A simple melody and lyrics help Nothing At All shine one damn bright and cheerful light onto the everyday anxieties of life. It’s quite uplifting… 

“Wind hits your sail as you pick up the pace, take a deep breath 
Exhale slowly… 
That’s when you find, that the things on your mind 
Seem to fade into nothin’ at all…” 

Wouldn’t It Be Great’s jazzy, funky charm has, once again, a trip-hoppy feel. Richard drops licks which again take me back to early 2000’s 311. (Trust me, I know how crazy that sounds.) What it boils down to is the track is mad-chill and belongs on your 2018 summer playlists. 

A classic walking away from that “pebble in your shoe” relationship song, Don’t You Worry ‘Bout Me, is subtle and confident—the album’s sleeper-track. 

IN CONCLUSION… 
A lovely acoustic effort describes According To Bazooka’s sophomore effort, Where We Are Now. Delicate, minimalist, ambient melodies—created so often with Martucci’s accordion and organ—provide the backdrop for Urbino’s sometimes bluesy, sometimes jazzy, sometimes new-agey electric phrasing. 

Add to that, the combination of Urbino’s dry 50’s-style rock vocals with Martucci’s ultra smooth and melodic timbre (think: Morcheeba’s Skye Edwards), and what comes out the other side is a truly authentic piece of Americana music. Meaning:  Americana in its truest sense of the word:  a sonic melting-pot of a multitude of influences. There’s pop, jazz, blues, rock, funk, even trip-hop; and more. But what’s impressive is not necessarily the genre-quantity, rather, it’s the delicate manner in which the group was able to tie it all together into a single body of work. 

WHOSE LOVECHILD…? 
Graceland-era Paul Simon meets Morcheeba with touches of so much more…