The Sawtelles
Resophonic Guitar & Voice + {Fretless} Bass - Kick Drum = NERVE ROCK

8 MP3 Songs
POP: Quirky, POP: Folky Pop



Details:
The Sawtelles are a trio based around the songwriting of Peter Riccio, who has been diligently working in underground indie-pop obscurity since 1987. He has played in Jargon Society, Piewackit, the Differents, Sanity Assassins, and the Naked Bakers. His discography much of which consists on limited edition vinyl records is well into the double digits. In the Sawtelles Peter plays either a Dobro or National Steel guitar.

Self-described "nerve rockers," The Sawtelles have a decidedly lo-fi sound meaning dobro guitar, slack (but not soulless) vocals, plunky bass-through-guitar amp, and kick drum-less percussion. Which is to say that I really like this album. It strikes me in a sorta Sebadoh way and I bet this band would be terrific live, and quick to set up as well. The singing is wild and crappy but nonetheless inspiring. The Sawtelles make a big noise without even shouting, or having "proper" instrumentation. -Jesse Thomas, The Noise

His wife Julie drums on half of a kit with NO kick drum, and whose previous attempt at playing music ended in the 70's with a failed try at reading violin music. However, her classical dance background has given her an elongated sense of phrasing and minimalist approach on the drums.

This jangly rock trio consists of husband-wife / guitar-drums team Peter and Julie Riccio with bassist Pete Brunelli rounding things out. The cd reminds me a lot of bands like The Connells, The Bongos, and Let's Active. Not overly produced, which is almost always a plus in my book; it's a pretty enjoyable listen. -James Richard Oliver, Ear Candy

Handling bass duties is Pete Brunelli, an accomplice of Peter R's going back decades. His super melodic fretless bass playing provides the perfect compliment for the guitar, drums, and vocals. You also might find him performing house demolitions or keeping the faith on blues harmonica.

"The Sawtelles play short, quirky songs that benefit from the oddball instrumentation.
All of the band's idiosyncrasies come together to form one complete sound". -Thomas Pizzola, Hartford Advocate

They describe their music as 'nerve rock'. More accurately, it may be described as modal or harmolodic rock reflecting the jazz-influences Peter and Pete grew up listening to. They can be found playing in such diverse venues as coffeehouses, bars, grocery stores, outdoor farmer's markets, art supply and record stores, college radio stations, and hospitals, either unplugged or fully amplified.

"The Sawtelles are particularly non-conformist, making music they call "nerve rock," sparse, sometimes heavy, sometimes wistful songs that fit as comfortably as an old concert T-shirt. With Peter Riccio on steel guitar and warped vocals, his wife Julie on drums and Pete Brunelli on bass, the three make music that sounds under-produced, with elements of punk and lots of mood". - Brita Brundage, Fairfield Weekly