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Andy Hull is doing just fine with the introspective and sometimes angst-tinged alt-rock of Manchester Orchestra, and Brooklyn-based Kevin Devine has built up a solid following with his own singer/songwriter thing. So why, then, would it befit the two to embark with Bad Books, which recalls early Death Cab for Cutie with a side of Heatmiser? It's about having an additional creative outlet, according to Hull, who chats by phone while he and Devine rehearse to tour the duo's second, conveniently titled release, II (Triple Crown). "You can get really wrapped up in your own head, at least I can, in your 'day job' and your main band being the only thing that exists." Working with Devine has also made the recording process move at a quickened pace, pushed by commitments to other projects. "It's not that we haven't wanted to spend more time on it; it's just that we really don't have very much time to do it, so we kind of have to throw caution to the wind. It doesn't have to take weeks or months to write when there is that kind of artistic energy going on." It's certainly been effective, evident in the response to the single "Forest Whitaker." Obscenely catchy, the song follows a relationship gone bad, with the couple now spending time hating on one another. "She has this kid with a motorcycle dude and names it Forest Whitaker," Hull says. "It's kind of like an ode to what a hippie chick would name a kid." He adds that the namesake Last King of Scotland actor hasn't addressed the tune — yet. "We were expecting to [hear from him], a little, especially since it's starting to get played; but we figured if he, like, gets mad or something, that's even cooler."
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BAD BOOKS + THE FRONT BOTTOMS + WEATHERBOX :: The Sinclair, 52 Church St, Cambridge :: February 19 @ 6:30 pm :: All Ages :: SOLD OUT :: 617.547.5200 or boweryboston.com
NOW PLAYING ON WFNX.COM: BAD BOOKS' "FOREST WHITAKER" :: BAD BOOKS VISIT WFNX ON FEBRUARY 19
