“Boys and Girls in America” is a reference to a line from Jack Kerouac's
classic novel "On the Road." Finn explains, "The line goes, 'Boys and
girls in America have such a sad time together.' Basically, the songs are about guys and girls, and love. It's not a concept-type record like the last one -- it's more of a theme record."

“Boys and Girls in America” was recorded this summer with producer John Agnello (Sonic Youth, Alice Cooper, Drive By Truckers, Bob Dylan, Dinosaur Jr etc.) The boys stayed close to home for the 30 day recording process, with tracking at Water Music in (Hoboken), Overdubs at Atomic Studios (Williamsburg) and Mixing at The Magic Shop (New York City). John Agnello reflects on the process, "It's pretty impressive that each guy in the band outdid themselves when it came down to laying down tracks" and sums up his opinion of the album, "Boys and Girls In America” has the intensity of a modern day Born To Run, while displaying effervescence of the likes of Guided By Voices and The Drive By Truckers, while still managing to sound only like the Hold Steady."

In combination w/ Finn’s lyrical wit, wisdom and word-play, Tad Kubler’s Guitar is a driving force of the new album, the guitars are louder, the solos are longer and the result is a classic rock n roll record in the making. Tad comments on working with Agnello, "John was a real conduit for us performing as a band. We would start to play something we'd never rehearsed or even played as a band and he was like, "Keep playing! I'm recording this!" It really allowed us to play as a band that enjoys playing music together and I think that really comes through on the record. On the way we perform. It allowed to hear each other and listen to each other. And that's what this record represents. Five of us playing as a band. Together."

With the delivery of “Boys And Girls in America” The Hold Steady have
marked a return to their roots, their love of writing, making and playing rock n roll for the sake and respect of rock n roll; ripe with anthemic choruses, genre defining and mind blowing guitar solos, lyrical wit and the masterful mix of the keyboards, drums and bass along with several sonic treats. From evocative and heartfelt ballads to bombastic barroom rock anthems, Boys and Girls in America successfully capture the essence and dynamic off-the-cuff musical mastery that is The Hold Steady. Kubler sums it up, "We're not reinventing rock music here. We're just trying to carry on a tradition that has always been prevalent in our lives."

Agnello comments on the ballads that have been incorporated into Boys & Girls in America, "Craig really nailed his lyrics, melody's and vocals on this record. His performances were so personal and immediate, I felt like the characters in his songs were hanging out in the studio the whole time we were tracking vocals"

Initially inspired by The Bands “The Last Waltz” The Hold Steady are
indeed a bar band. Agnello witnessed it first hand, "Only the Hold Steady could balance a full day of tracking on Cinco De Mayo while drinking enough marguerites to poison a small Mormon congregation."

With Boys and Girls in America, The Hold Steady has upped their ante in terms of delivering an album as an entire body of work and a form of
collective art. This is the first time that the bands brought the ballad
elements into the collection of songs & have - as a result made one step closer to delivering a definitive classic rock album and becoming a
forever style band.

Still, The Hold Steady maintains the quintessential rock factor in each
and every song. The finale of each of the ballads are fueled with a full
on stadium worthy collective pumping of the fists factor. The lyrics add
another component of depth, creativity and originality coupled with an
intrinsic timeless Americana flavor that is undeniably and exclusively the identity of The Hold Steady.

Craig Finn, Guitar, Vocals
Tad Kubler, Lead Guitar
Galen Polivka, Bass
Bobby Drake, Drums
Franz Nicolay, Keyboard

For more information about The Hold Steady go to: www.theholdsteady.com