According to Josh Catalano, singer, songwriter, guitarist and catalyst for the band, the original CD concept called for a stripped-down recording, featuring the back-to-the-basics rock music that originally inspired the band. They began production in March this year, intending the project as a purposeful move away from the more-produced sounds of their 2007 release, Make Love not Babies. But after the basic tracks were finished, the band stayed in the studio a little longer and more stuff got added. Soon electronic beats, string sections, horn parts and other un-raw-like ingredients appeared that pushed the record into new territory. As Catalano put it, the recording “morphed into a completely different album of sexual danger and vagabond love jams.” Yeah, right. I think I understand it all now.Since the group’s conception in 2005, the members always considered Catalano as the primary songwriter, but during this recording the quintet came together as a collective, both in the writing and producing areas. Bassist Marc Broomby, a Liverpool, England, transplant, owns and operates a local recording studio where the Damwell Betters learned to turn stripped-down recordings into lush productions. Other band members include lead guitarist Joe Caladrino, Patrick Miller on drums, and Jordan Laier playing piano, pedal steel and guitar.Last year the group played all over the Midwest, toured the East Coast, and slipped in a couple of showcases while in New York City. Plans for 2009 include more tours in the spring and summer and more recordings after that. After all, they are a real-live, honest-to-goodness, rock band, playing songs, recording albums and touring the country. What else do you want them to do? -- Tom Irwin,Illinois Times