By Sarah Knott
Cincinnati.Com

The four Stapleton brothers. (Photo courtesy of The Stapletons)

Donning denim jackets and ironic T-shirts and sprouting shaggy brown hair from their musical minds, the brothers Stapleton don't look like a country music band.

But audiences sometimes break out in line dances to their music. Of course, at other times they rock, or just hang out, listening to a band known especially for super-energetic live shows. The variety of reactions to the quartet is appropriate. The Stapletons' style ranges from something like Johnny Cash to something like Skynard.

Jody, Lance, Mick and Newky jumped on the Queen City two years ago and quickly became a success story in Cincinnati roots music (a genre that has gone through the definition wringer countless times by local writers and followers). A little bit country, a little bit rock-n-roll, a little bit folk with some bluegrass, the Stapletons have fans and musical colleagues eagerly anticipating the Oct. 22 release of the 12-song "Spirit of '76," the band's first full-length album.

"We've gotten to know a lot of people around here," says vocalist/harmonica player Jody, adding that their music sits in the jukebox in Crowley's in Mt. Adams. "People know the words to our songs and sing along. They seem to be receptive to what we're doing."

"This isn't a hobby," says guitarist Newky. "This is pretty fanatical approach."

In their first year of existence as a group, the Stapletons say they played nearly 50 gigs, most of which were in town. A year later, they could hold out for two, maybe three gigs a month in places like the Overflow, the Southgate House, York Street and the Comet. Now, they're looking to break out into regional locations like Louisville, Cleveland or maybe New York City. But the foursome love that Cincinnati is their home. They live in a house in Mt. Adams and say that their friendship, and all the time they spend together, becomes clear in their chords, riffs and bridges.

"We're four minds thinking in different ways," says Jody. "It's like a puzzle." He goes on to describe a tactic they used on "Spirit of '76," where a huge, multi-colored chart solicited suggestions and improvements for each song.

"We stole that from U2," says Jody, laughing. But the process helped communication and writing, and provided such fruitful results that the group is already working on its third release.

"I write every day," says Jody, who helps write most of the Stapleton's songs along with Newky. "The more you do it, eventually, you'll come up with something that's really superb."

But first things first: The "Spirit of '76" buzz has Cincinnati music hounds, like the regulars on the 97X message board, ready to give the Stapletons some attention. The Cincinnati Entertainment Awards (issued by City Beat) recently rewarded the boys with a nomination for best rock band in 2001, too.

"We have a broad spectrum," says Newky. "We could fit in all kinds of festivals, for example. Anywhere from a roots rock to something like Popopolis."

"This album is very concise," adds Jody. "There are moments where you're taken to a rock and roll space, and then you're suddenly in the dark corner of a bar."

The Stapletons CD release party is Friday, Oct. 19 at the York Street Café. The first 50 patrons will receive a free Stapletons single.