Music

Turmoil makes for great rock ’n’ roll. Just ask the Wide Awakes’ lead singer and songwriter, Tim Bueter.

The inspiration behind the Wide Awakes’ sophomore effort?

“Romantic disappointment. But that’s what rock ’n’ roll is based on. Contented people do not make good rock ’n’ roll records,” Bueter said.

And he’s right. But discontent may be hard to come by this summer.

Bueter and the rest of the Wide Awakes, guitarist Michael Johnson, bassist Brandon Boltz, guitarist Liz Boltz and drummer Adam Renchen, will unveil their sophomore effort, the blistering and melodic Bitter One, with a CD release party at Mickey Finn’s Pub on Saturday, July 15.

Where their first album Satisfied? showed off many of the band’s influences, Bitter One is a much tighter and more coherent album. The elements of power pop, blues, hard rock and Americana are still there but woven seamlessly into the musical tapestry.

“Bitter One is more of who we are. The first CD was basically some friends of mine helping me record some songs. We called it a band  but it wasn’t really a band,” Bueter said.

“I think our sound clarified itself. The first time around we were kind of fishing around to see what would sound best on a new song, but we have been playing most of these new songs long enough that we know what they sound like and what we sound like.

“If you listen to Satisfied? we’re just trying to figure out what we’re doing. On Bitter One we’ve played the songs live enough times that we know what it’s supposed to sound like.”

Although most of Bitter One is about heartbreak and the loss of love, the album is far from downbeat.

Bitter One is a well-honed, rollicking piece of good old-fashioned American rock ’n’ roll that should make fans out of anybody with an appreciation for smart lyrics, fun rock and excellent musicianship.

The album has a quick pace, clocking in at just under an enjoyable 40 minutes and giving listeners a true sense of what the Wide Awakes are about.

“It’s probably a little less diverse than the first one, but it is more representative of who we are,” Bueter said.

“It’s a much more clear picture. If you listen to Satisfied? I don’t think you get a clear picture of what the band is about.”

In true DIY rock style, the Wide Awakes recorded and produced the album themselves, a process Bueter admits could have gone on forever.

“The best thing about having your own recording equipment is having all the time in the world, but it is also the worst,” Bueter said.

The album’s production is clean and free from grit, and surprisingly complex and layered, a true testament to the Wide Awakes’ passion for their craft.

“Michael and Brandon engineered it and produced it,” Bueter said. “Michael was largely responsible for the production of the album and he’s getting really good at it.”

Even though Bitter One has yet to hit the streets, Bueter is already thinking about the next album and is ready to apply some important lessons he has learned over the past two years.

“I’ve learned that I need more of a plan,” he said. “Going from the gut might fly when you are playing live, but when you are recording you need a plan.

“I’m already starting to think about that with the new songs we are doing – and we have quite a few. I’m sitting at home, just working on different parts and what I’m going to do on those different parts.”

Bitter One will be available  on July 15 and can be found at all of the Wide Awakes’ shows as well as at Culture Clash and Ramalama Records. The band is also looking into several online distribution options such as iTunes and CDBaby.com.

The Wide Awakes’ CD release party for Bitter One will be at Mickey Finn’s Pub on Saturday, July 15. The Blue Streaks will kick the night off at 9:30 p.m. Cover is $5.00.

The Wide Awakes will also be playing at the Village Idiot on Saturday, August 5.

For more information on the Wide Awakes, upcoming shows and the new album, visit www.wideawakes.com or www.myspace.com/wideawakes.