Bruce Lucy
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Bruce Lucy

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States | SELF

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States | SELF
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"Bruce Lucy"

Bruce Lucy-
This group pops like my favorite waitress working a piece of Dentine:
a little rough around the edges (GOOD thing)
but framing a timeless beauty
and housing a heart of gold.
Bruce Lucy may be the sound on the radio that Ziggy sang about in 'StarMan'


-Dylan Sherwood McConnell - Rock School Forum


Discography

Still working on that hot first release.

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Bio

Upon the release of David Bowie’s Aladdin Sane, Ben Gerson wrote, “The seeming contradictions intrinsic to this album and the body of the last four albums are exasperating, yet the outlines are sufficiently legible to establish the records…as reworkings of the same obsessions.”

Following this ideal, Bruce Lucy makes music that is filled with apparent contradictions and an obsessive love of rock and roll. Their set covers a wide range of sounds, and each song is a product of the band’s unique style and distinctive influences. Their dynamic range and explosive energy, as well as much of Foster's vocal work, are a testament to their love of The Pixies. Their sassy backups and Gina's raunchy guitar work are a throwback to the glam days of David Bowie. Traces of Iggy Pop can be heard in the bands heavier side and edgy live performances, and their driving rhythms and melodic writing tie in more modern influences like The Strokes. While rooted in the sounds of bands they love, Bruce Lucy has created music that is truly their own. Their live shows are also a huge part of what makes the band memorable. Each performance is a display of the band’s musicianship and tight center as well as their off-the-cuff, off-the-wall style – an experience filled with cross-dressing, clashing personalities, and a heavy load of rock. In August of 2010, they began working on their first LP, an as-yet-untitled collection of full-length songs and smaller framing pieces that they hope will encompass the full extent of their sonic range. The album is slated to come out in the spring or early summer of this year.

Bruce Lucy was formed in September of 2007 by keyboardist and lead singer Foster Longo. Foster began his classical piano training at age seven. At 16, he became a student at the Philly School of Rock, where he met future band-mates Gina Gleason (with whom he shared an overwhelming passion for glam rock) and Ashley Smith (with whom he shared a fondness for makeup). While on a tour with his first band, Foster met Josh Phillips, who shared an interest in mustaches. When away from the band, Foster writes music for other projects and short films, and continues to study classical music at Temple University.

Gina "Gigi" Gleason spends as much of her waking life as she can playing guitar and performs with a number of projects in and around Philly. She tours the globe playing guitar with various bands (most of which are metal). On the rare occasion that Gina is not practicing her shred skills, she can be found painting along to the Bob Ross Joy of painting series or cuddling.

Josh Phillips started playing percussion when he was 10, performing in his school’s marching band. His transition into rock music began with his first band in the 8th grade – a guitar/drums duo that only played “Satisfaction” (resulting in a life-long oath to never perform covers). When not percussionizing, Josh is busy watching and making movies.

Originally a trio, the band went bass-less for two years. In the summer of 2009, Ashley Smith added her bassy prowess to the mix and upgraded Bruce Lucy into a quartet. Originally a clarinetist, she began her bass career in the 5th grade, but Ashley didn’t start singing for another 4 years because of her shy and quiet tendencies. Now her soulful stylings can be heard as the “lead” backup singer in the band. She spends her free time searching for new hair products, the perfect pair of shoes, and pictures of puppies.

As a quartet, they create tight arrangements beginning with a catchy chord progression and ending with a song that illuminates a part of each individual member’s abilities. A song usually begins when either keyboardist Foster or Gina creates a distinctive and sick-nasty chord progression. Then, Ashley and Josh combine forces to create a rhythmic foundation that no one can resist. Once the core is established, Gina helps to develop the song’s unique character by adding a heavy lead line, a clean and twangy melody, or a rad, rippin’ solo. Foster’s visually inspired lyrics bring the song to life, but no song is finished without a top layer of vocal harmonies. The result is a sound that’s hard to pin down but easy to love.