“Steve Conte and the Crazy Truth” will be released by Varese Vintage record label in the US on Tuesday October 20th, followed by a UK release date of November 30th.
To rock and rollers around the globe, the legendary Steve Conte is probably best known as the lead guitarist, songwriter/and backing vocalist in the New York Dolls. Conte is also the lead singer, songwriter and guitarist for a raft of other bands including Crown Jewels, The Contes, and his latest incarnation – Steve Conte & The Crazy Truth.
Sonically, The Crazy Truth lies somewhere between garage rock and punk blues with hints of Latin-soul in a dark, smoky lounge. It’s the Stooges and the Stones versus Morphine and Tom Waits. The overall vibe is best described by Conte as “classic roots with a modern twist.”
Steve Conte delivers the power, soul and raunch. He’s a runaway guitar hero on the edge of falling apart – with the voice of a derelict angel. Drummer Phil Stewart is equal parts Max Roach and Keith Moon while bassist Leeko was weaned on The Clash and old school reggae.
Says Conte, “This album sounds like a band playing live because it’s drums, bass and guitar together in one room, solos recorded live on the basic tracks, rough and tough. It was like doing a gig. I love playing live with this band because it’s all about interplay and the moment. We don’t just deliver the songs…we JAM!”
Steve Conte; Photo©live4ever
Lyrically, the songs reflect two decades of life and excess in New York City…the distractions troubled souls move toward to fill the emptiness. Dive bars, gambling, sex and drugs. It’s all there, but not celebrated with the traditional macho rock attitude. It’s more about redemption.
On The Truth Ain’t Pretty, Conte sings, “I’m always putting the last things first, that’s why I’m starting out with the second verse,” while on The Goods Are Odd he croons “Drag queens, drama queens, future ex-porn stars, we’re all looking for lovers with beautiful scars.”
Whether he’s the morally bankrupt guy “coming downtown in a Gypsy Cab” (from the standout track Gypsy Cab) or riding a Busload of Hope to Atlantic City, Conte offers a sense of optimism in the song This Is The End – “In the end we transcend – we’re divine”.
Special guests on the album includes David Johansen (New York Dolls) on harmonica, Catherine Russell (David Bowie) and Nicki Richards (Madonna) on backing vocals, plus Danny Ray (Sylvain Sylvain/Johnny Thunders), Kiku Collins (Beyonce) Tom Timko (Stevie Wonder) on horns.
The album was mixed by the legendary Niko Bolas (Neil Young, Keith Richards) and mastered by Richard Dodd (Tom Petty, Green Day).
Steve Lillywhite ((producer of U2, Rolling Stones, Morrissey) raves:
“There is very little genuine rock and roll out there at the moment – but Steve Conte has hit the nail on the head with this one!”
Live4ever will have a chance to review the album this week so stay tuned for our full review.
If you want to catch Steve performing live you’ll get your chance to see him with the legendary New York Dolls when they hit the UK next, visit here for full details and ticket info : http://www.noblepr.co.uk/Press_Releases/atco/newyorkdollsUK_TOUR.htm
Read more on Steve :
www.steveconteandthecrazytruth.com
www.myspace.com/stevecontecrazytruth
Conte’s new album is awesome. Love the song Gypsy Cab. If you love Tom Verlaine, Willy DeVille, Lou Reed and the Dolls, you’re gonna love the Crazy Truth.