"This is the story of a bunch of different characters, all set to what we described as a 'street symphony,' " says the subdudes' John Magnie.

"It runs throughout the record, from the people who can't stand the way the government is running the country -- "Thorn in Her Side" -- people who get a second chance at life -- "Half of the Story" -- and people who put their "Work Clothes" on but go fishing instead."

Welcome to Street Symphony. Due out August 28 via Back Porch/ManHattan Records, its' the kind of an album that stirs the consciousness and galvanizes the soul with an array of songs that are underlined by the band's trademark music: a vibrant cauldron of sounds that brings together the meaty grooves and jazzy dynamics, soulful R&B swagger and easy vocal harmonies.


"The real shit evolves from the street," says guitarist/vocalist TOMMY MALONE.  "When people want change, they get outside and they get a sign and they start marching and singing.  That's the beginning.  If you get enough of them, things will change."  "We are a fairly political bunch," acknowledges Magnie. "We're a bunch of peaceniks. We don't like to get too specific with those political things, but of course we're basically a bunch of bleeding heart liberals."

STREET SYMPHONY marks the subdudes' third album since regrouping in 2002 after a five-year hiatus, and their first set of new material written since Hurricane Katrina devastated New Orleans, where they formed. They recorded the album--their seventh overall--with producer George Massenburg in his Nashville studio, and the result is brimming with some of the sharpest musicianship and ensemble playing you'll hear from five musicians. It's also the sound of a veteran band that's still learning and creatively evolving.

Kicking off with "Fountain of Youth," STREET SYMPHONY features 12 subdudes songs that include "Work Clothes," "Fair Weather Friend," "Poor Man's Paradise" and the title track. They address the issues that mean the most to them: the heavy inspiration from the damage and subsequent controversy caused by hurricane Katrina ("Poor Man's Paradise"); the divides of race and religion ("Brother Man"); and the current plight of the U.S. ("Thorn In Her Side"), whose lyrics are blunt:

"Money and blood spillin' in the sand/Plantin' our flag in someone else's land/What about the people for which it stands/How about takin' care of our own/Like the people down south/Drownin' in their homes/I guess my God and your God don't see eye to eye."

Critically embraced by the media since their 1989 debut, the subdudes--TIM COOK, bass and vocals; TOMMY MALONE, vocals, acoustic, electric, and slide guitars; JOHN MAGNIE, vocals, accordion, keyboards; JIMMY MESSA, bass and guitar; and STEVE AMEDÉE, tambourine, drums, percussions, vocals--have built a loyal fanbase by performing hundreds of shows across the country. In 1994, Rolling Stone magazine said, "If the subdudes' music were a fruit, it would be a bunch of red grapes eaten out of season: robustly flavored, composed of taut clusters of sound loosely arranged that-left to mull a bit-induce a mild intoxication. This is New Orleans R&B at its most swinging, with touches of barroom blues, gospel-inspired harmonies, rock and country rhythms and, very simply, some fine playing (Adele Sulcas, 6/30/94)."

The subdudes are on tour, as always, with dates scheduled well into 2008. The latest itinerary can be found on the tour page.