Fusing eclectic influences

By Josh Aden

May 8, 2008 12 AM PT

Bobbo and Tracy Byrnes may be from Massachusetts, but there are two “Rs” they’ll always pronounce: “Rock” and “Roll.”

The couple moved from the Bay State to Huntington Beach to immerse themselves in Southern California’s always-vibrant music scene. Not to mention, “there’s a lot less snow here,” singer and bassist Tracy Byrnes said.

The band, The Fallen Stars, has gained prominence in the local music scene with a win at the Orange County Music Awards and the group hopes to grow its popularity with the release of two new albums Saturday.

The Fallen Stars began recording on a new album, “Where the road bends,” in November 2006.

“Recording started shortly before the birth of Christ,” joked Bobbo Byrnes, who handles guitar and vocals.

The album brings audiences an eclectic mix of influences fused into a style that can be described as country-punk-folk-rock. Bobbo Byrnes’ definition of their sound is “Americana Rock.”

Some of the album was recorded through the same sound board the Beach Boys recorded “Pet Sounds” on, giving the album a legitimate claim to a slice of Americana.

“One of the great things about the band is the different styles we can play and the twists we put on it,” said guitarist Gregg Braught.

The Fallen Stars’ other Saturday release is a live album titled “Vaya con Queso!” It was recorded in the punk room at the famous Coach House. The title comes from some funny graffiti the band saw scrawled on a wall where they performed.

The live album includes a couple of the band’s old songs, a couple from “Where the road bends,” and even a medley of songs about Cadillacs.

Mandolin and keyboard player Geoff Geib said the OCMA win was a huge help to the band with not only recognition but its music, too.

The group won in the Best Live Acoustic Band category, which means the members ditched their amps, and stripped down to their basic acoustic instruments. With no distortion to hide behind, the band had to make sure they got everything as sharp and clean as possible.

“It really tightened up the band,” Geib said.

They’re excited about the new album and they hope to keep bringing their fans more of the same.

“There’s really not very many bands doing what we’re doing,” drummer John Vowell said. “A lot of bands want to be angry and drop their tuning and turn up their amps and try to be Avenged Sevenfold or Korn.”

IF YOU GO

WHO: The Fallen Stars

WHAT: Record release party for “Where the road bends” and “Vaya con Queso!”

WHEN: 9 p.m. Saturday

WHERE: The Marlin Bar, 16651 Gothard Ave.

COST: $5

INFO: www.thefallenstars.com, (714) 842-5587

JOSH ADEN may be reached at (714) 966-4609 or at [email protected].