The Evangenitals are an up and coming band from California that plays a unique blend of different musical genres from light-hearted folk through alt-country. Their particular sound is actually difficult to pin down and
while that makes it hard on critics and publicists it makes it good for audiences looking for something different.
The band was founded by college-educated, former boxer Juli Crockett and opera/jazz singer Lisa Dee. According to them the band "is an alt-country hillbilly love punk rock revolution of the freak folk/Americana variety made flesh for your listening pleasure."
The core membership consists of: Juli Crockett on lead/rhythm guitar and vocals; Lisa Dee on (occasional acoustic guitar, operatic vocals, tambourine and kazoo; Henry Bermudez on lead guitar and slide; David Hurlin on drums, shakers, tablas and cowbell; Matt Ticciati on bass, and Ari DeSano on accordion and Andrea Baker on the violin.
The Evangenitals were born in a defunct bowling alley in Los Angeles, where they broke their chops before a small audience of "rehab refugees and listless drunks from an adjoining bar."
Their first big break led to the release of their 2005 debut album, "We Are The Evangenitals". This 9 track release contained such memorable tracks as the literary-inspired "QueeQueg" and the hillbilly tune, "The Work Song". Two years and many appearances later, they put out their second record, "Everlovin'". This release put the focus on fun and free-folk with such numbers as "I Just Forgot", the live "Sergio" and the strangely lullabye-like, low-level "F*ck 'em All". (How such an aggressive message can sound so sweet is a mystery to this and other critics.) Since then the band has continued to tour and play several different states in America as well as a recent extended appearance in Scotland.
One of their more recent accomplishments is the completion of a brand new EP that might be reviewed in a future column. However you label them, the Evangenitals are refreshing and entertaining.
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