Sprung from the roots of the seminal punk bluegrass band, Seigobillies, the four person tandem known as Billy has steadily evolved into one of New Jerseys most versatile and loved bands. With their rich vocal harmonies, heartfelt and vivid lyrical storytelling and pop rock grooves (not to mention the punk and bluegrass of its roots), Billy has become a force to be reckoned with. Billy has been referred to as equal parts Argybargy era Squeeze and early Elvis Costello, along with bits and pieces of Midnight Oil and Billy Bragg. This eclectic mixture of sounds has garnered them strong followings across the Metropolitan area, from Hoboken to New Hope, and especially in their hometown of New Brunswick, where they are a mainstay of the Hub Citys club scene.
With the release of Billy's much anticipated debut CD, Music for the Two Cycle Engine, the group has matured on every level, from their vocal prowess to their musical ability and creativity. Narrative lyrics and smart songwriting combine for 11 tracks of consistently inventive music. At once engaging and original, Billy celebrate the essence of great rock and roll; unforgettable hooks blended with an evocative array of instruments. Banjo, harmonica, accordion, tenor saxophone,clarinet and uilleann pipes weave in and out of Billy songs to add extra texture and punch. The diversity in instrumentation creates a musically adventurous tapestry of sound that draws the listener in; there is a comfortable, familiar aesthetic to Billy's understated musical approach. Its a naivete that stays true to Billy's underground roots. From the indie-rock swagger of Pocket Change (complete with Pavement-esque do-do-dos),to the haunting ballad Milo to the lively opening track Frogman, Billy's stylistic range is eclectically diverse and vibrant.
Arguably one of New Jerseys top live bands, Billy enlisted producer James Mastro (The Bongos, Health and Happiness Show) to help out capturing the live vibe in the studio. His crisp production works perfectly with Billy's unabashed musical sparks. The recording was done in Hoboken at The Pigeon Club, under the watchful and helpful eye of engineer Wayne Dorell (Tonic, Pavement, The Milwaukees, True Love, Hey Tiger). Billy's musical philosophy is simple. Enjoy your audience, have a good time and write music that you're proud to play-- Music that really means something to you and hopefully to other people as well.
Recently, Music for the Two Cycle Engine came in at number number 12 on the CMJ Radio 200 Adds chart.
Billy's music is currently being featured on MTV's Road Rules Challenge and Why Can't I be You.
