Lucero’s sixth studio album and major label debut, 1372 Overton Park, is due October 6 on Universal Republic Records. Produced by Ted Hutt (The Gaslight Anthem) and featuring horn arrangements by legendary Memphis session player Jim Spake (Al Green, John Hiatt, Solomon Burke, Cat Power), the record marks a decided turn toward the Memphis soul sound that has long informed the band’s records from afar. 1372 Overton Park follows the band’s 2006 release, Rebels, Rogues & Sworn Brothers, hailed by Pitchfork as “the best showcase for the band’s taut dynamic yet.” After a run of festival and club dates this summer, Lucero will tour throughout the fall in support of the new album with the Lucero Ramblin’ Roadshow & Memphis Revue, a traveling roadshow featuring Amy LaVere, Cedric Burnside with Lightnin’ Malcolm, Jack Oblivian, John Paul Keith & the One Four Fives and The Dirty Streets. Please see reverse for a list of dates.
The new album’s name comes from the address of the Memphis loft in which all four band members lived, practiced and even recorded portions of their 2003 release That Much Further West (the history of the space itself is even more colorful—in the ..70s, 1372 Overton Park was a karate dojo where local resident Elvis Presley, among others, took lessons). Over recent years band members have gradually moved out leaving lead singer and guitarist Ben Nichols the sole resident of the space until word finally came down that the building would be sold and demolished. Almost as if marking the end of an era not only for the building but for the band as well, this record turns the page and signals a strong move toward the Memphis soul sound that has long served as an influence for the group. Nichols explains, “When [saxophonist] Jim Spake put that first horn track down, we began thinking of the record as having a certain sound. We heard pieces of Memphis history being played over our songs and it floored us and we just went with it.”
While 1372 Overton Park serves as a love letter to Memphis and its musical heritage, the band has far from abandoned the country/rock/punk influences that they’ve become known for over their previous five records and countless tour dates in front of rabid fans. “I think the fact that we don't claim a genre is very important to what Lucero is,” according to Nichols. “There are too many rules in punk rock. Too many rules in country music. We’re hard headed and…god damn if we don’t do things the way we want to do them.”
Playing between 150-200 live shows a year, Lucero has come to be known as much for their hard-touring work ethic as for their critically acclaimed records. In addition to his work with the band, lead singer Ben Nichols also released a solo record in early 2009 and co-stars in MTV’s $5 Cover, a series about the Memphis music scene.
Ultimately, Lucero live to rock and rock to live. No more. No less. Its really that simple. -Amy Sciarretto
Rebels, Rogues and Sworn Brothers was released September 26, 2006 on Lucero's own Liberty & Lament label.
Hi guys, Loving that big-new, good-ol' Lucero sound on Overton Park! Playing this week on the Gilded Palace Radio Show online at Totally Radio. Hit ‘Listen’ and the show should stream on-demand.
U guys are great me and my woman love ur music its nice and relaxing lol, shes the one to get me to listen to u guys and i was happy i did u guys rock thanks for everything
Maybe thinkin about comin home for another minute on new years again..pleeease? Even if not, I'll be in oxford on the 5th. Can't waaait : ) <3 mmuuaaah
I drove 4 hours in my shitty neon to a city i've never been too to walk 37 blocks to get to the band that i have tattooed on my back. and it was worth every second of it.
Hey Guys...Just wanted to let all of you know what a pleasure it was being on the road w/ ya. You guys are the best, by far!!! Enjoyed the hell out of it and miss all of you ALREADY! Hope we can do it again...VERY SOON!
Around 2003-ish, I was introduced to you guys' music by a buddy of mine in Tennessee...and since then I've turned to your music when I'm sad or happy or otherwise dealing with life. I'm more of a punk/metalhead, and I've always had my friends look at me a little funny when I start blasting your albums instead of the "normal" things we listen to...but over the years they, too, have come to enjoy you ;) So thanks for being yourselves...there's been many times when I don't know how I would've gotten through stuff without you. You guys are awesome!
I just wanted to say y'all are fucking amazing...my all time favorite band by far; I feel like I can relate to all your songs SO much...when are you coming to miami?!
i fucking love you guys! :) your like in my top three favorite bands. :D you should come back to virgina sometimee! i am dying to go to one of your shows. <3
You guys were amazing tonight at Headliners. I wish I could have stayed and finished out the show, but between the large, sweaty woman humping me from behind, the obnoxious girl next to me, and the crowd of people pushing me into the stage I was dying. Again, great job, I'm glad I got the chance to see you atleast once.