Working Class Hussys

As an over-the-road trucker, Ian Patrick Gentles found a lifestyle that suited his musical temperament.

Along the way, he told The Daily Times this week, he gathered stories and forged an identity he’s since channeled into the Working Class Hussys, who perform Saturday at Barley’s Maryville.

“I drove a truck for 12 years, and it almost became an identity,” he said. “Instead of being a truck driver by day and a musician by night, I decided to tie them in together. Why let that go to waste? Driving a truck lends itself to a musician’s lifestyle for me.

“Artists and songwriters tend to be more reclusive, which I am, so I was able to just be out on the road by myself for hours and hours and just think and write music in my head. When I would get some time off, I would devote that to writing and recording and playing shows, to let people in and see what I do. That’s how the album ‘Diesel Tunes’ was born, and now we’re going on tour to support that album.”

The touring version of Working Class Hussys that pulls into Maryville on Saturday is a five-piece; there have been as many as 10 members, including several female backup singers, lending Gentles’ working-class Americana with a healthy dose of big city grit. It’s a good fit, and it reflects Gentles’ roots as a New Jersey native who cut his teeth on a little bit of everything.

“I started taking guitar lessons at age 7 and studied classically for 10 years,” he said. “I played and studied jazz a little later on, and after a while, I just broke off on my own and got into classic rock and the guitar heroes that everybody loves — Hendrix, Jimmy Page, guys like that. I started wanting to write my own stuff, and I also have a brother who’s a songwriter, and that forced me to be competitive, because we were always trying to outdo each other all the time.”

There’s a distinctive laconic feel to the band’s sound, with a song like “To Tennessee” fusing girl-group harmonies with the off-kilter quirkiness of The Refreshments and the Americana-meets-American-soul of Marah. There’s also a healthy nod to fellow Jersey native Bruce Springsteen’s wall of sound approach, with Gentles’ vocals weaving in and out of guitar and keyboard parts that give the whole thing a sun-dappled, road-weary feel.

“There’s something about songs about travel and longing to be somewhere else that just kind of lends itself to the music,” he said. “Take a song like ‘Over the Rainbow’ — it’s a song about longing to be somewhere else other than where you are at the moment. That whole theme, and I think the songs on this CD in particular, are not just songs that truck drivers would appreciate. They’re songs for anybody taking a road trip and longing to get out of their one-horse town and travel and go somewhere.”

Combined with Gentles’ dedication to presentation — he wants himself and his bandmates to look the part of rockers as well as play proficiently (“I don’t want us to go on stage and look like we’re working at a gas station!” he said with a laugh) — the Working Class Hussys aren’t playing anything groundbreaking, and that’s not a bad thing. They’re the equivalent of a well-worn and comfortable hat — a trucker’s cap, perhaps — that fits well and feels just right.

“A lot of people love the name, too,” he added. “I was looking for something that would describe me, and I’ve always had blue-collar jobs — driving a truck, washing dishes, you name it. and I remember a friend of mine, when we were kids, who always used to use the word ‘hussy.’ I had no idea what it meant, but it sounded funny, and that’s what I wanted with this band name — something to make everyone smile.” - The Daily Times

This week, the Lambertville, New Jersey-based eight-piece Working Class Hussys will be having their CD release show for their forthcoming album, Diesel Tunes, at The Bitter End in Manhattan on July 26. Following the radio success of their debut, Diary Of A Blue Collar Cracker, the lyrical narration of Diesel Tunes was inspired by Ian Patrick Gentles’ decade-long open-road adventure as a truck driver. With a blissful touch of alternative rock to complement their wholesome sound, Working Class Hussys offer a soothing Southern rock blend that takes flight with a lively spirit that embodies the influence of classic icons the likes of The Beatles and Lynyrd Skynyrd. - The Aquarian Weekly

Trucking Tunes: Working Class Hussys ‘Diesel Tunes’
MAY 16 • ENTERTAINMENT, FEATURED, MUSIC • 1423 VIEWS • NO COMMENTS ON TRUCKING TUNES: WORKING CLASS HUSSYS ‘DIESEL TUNES’



An alternative rock band out of New Jersey has just released a new album titled ‘Diesel Tunes.’ This is the third album from the group Working Class Hussys.

According to Broadway World, the album “explore the common thoughts and experiences from professional truck drivers longing for one while living life on the road.”
Eight singers and artists make up Working Class Hussys. The band’s lead singer and songwriter is Ian Patrick Gentles. Other band members include: Anthony Man–drums, Brian Casale– electric bass, Mike McClellan– lead guitar, Gregory Winka –lead guitar Pattie Lynn, Amanda During and Ann Shi– vocals.

Diesel Tunes will be available for purchase on iTunes on July 18, 2014. Get a sneak peek at the band’s music here.
The songs featured on Diesel Tunes were written by Gentles who was a truck driver for 12 years. “Throughout my experiences and trials driving a truck, the songwriting kept me company during the hundreds of miles and lonely 12 hour days. I was constantly getting melodies in my head while driving and I would have to write them down on the nearest piece of paper and try to decipher chicken-scratch later on when I got home.” - CDL Life News

When you come across a band named Working Class Hussys with an album entitled Diary of a Blue Collar Cracker, you must stop what you're doing and pay attention. Period. Checking out photos on their Reverb Nation page, I couldn't stop laughing at the "The Sounds of Hick-Hop" cover that adds a gangsta touch to Grant Wood's iconic painting, "American Gothic". Visiting their Facebook page, the band describes itself as "Lynyrd Skynyrd meets Beatles". Armed with these little tidbits of info, I was finally ready to press "Play".

An eclectic blend of 90's alternative and 70's classic and country rock, it was more like "Lynyrd Skynyrd meets Beatles meets Pearl Jam meets Beck meets The Doors". The album's central theme is hurt- loss of friends to suicide ("Friends of Mine"), family to unfortunate illness ("Somewhere You're Smiling"), gonads after bone-crushing heartbreak and falling in love again ("Like Your Woman", "Antisocial Butterflies", "Loves to Be") and hometown identity ("Whiter Shades of Trash") as changing race and social class dynamics alter everything you've ever known.

Even though most songs on the album address melancholy topics, the melodies are bright and danceable so that "somewhere I smiled" and found myself bobbing my head to lead singer Ian Patrick Gentles' pain (sounds weird, I know). Not everything is gloomy as there's amusement in making fun of overdramatic friends (we all have them) on "Nobody Knows My Pain". After listening to this enlightening and tongue-in-cheek introspective, am sure the Working Class Hussys won't be "empty-handed" very long. - Music Emissions

Diary of a Blue Collar Cracker is an album that immediately introduces itself to listeners; Break, the album’s first track is inspirational and gets listeners excited about what will ultimately follow. Working Class Hussys have the ability to turn on a dime stylistically; it is this eclectic flair that fuels Diary of a Blue Collar Cracker. Somewhere You’re Smiling has a John Denver meets Simon and Garfunkel; there are hints of crunchiness that places this track in the realm of Ween or early Everclear.

Whiter Shades of Trash builds off of the contributions that earlier album efforts have provided and twists them into a Ben Folds-esque ballad. Nobody Knows My Pain is a late-album track that will turn heads. The arrangement has a bouncy beat that is utterly complex; what would sound so great on an alt-rock station is leagues more deep than similar albums. The Working Class Hussys come with a fire reminiscent of early (Blue Album / Pinkerton)-era Weezer; the band is clearly having fun and making music that is unparalleled.

Diary of a Blue Collar Cracker is an offbeat album that will ultimately be seen as a blueprint for a new form of music. The different drummer that Working Class Hussys follow makes for an album that will always put a smile on your face, even as the band is able to rack up single after single. I would personally love to see Working Class Hussys take the stage; I feel that the band’s personality would be magnified with a live performance. Diary of a Blue Collar Cracker is one of the most memorable albums that we have had the chance to review this year.

Top Tracks: Whiter Shades of Trash, Nobody Knows My Pain

Rating: 8.7/10

Read more: http://neufutur.com/working-class-hussys-%e2%80%93-diary-of-a-blue-collar-cracker-cd/#ixzz2Myi4ee2C
- Neufutur

A listen to the Working Class Hussys’ new album, Diary of a Working Class Cracker evokes a melding of vintage Chicago, ELO-like melodies and a tinge of quirk a la Weezer. The sound as a whole is slightly nostalgic… a sort of “I’ve heard this before” Je ne sais quois. The lyrical matter ebbs towards the lighthearted and whimsical (“Whiter Shades of Trash”) and flows to the more deep and heartfelt (“Somewhere You’re Smiling”). As a whole, the 10-tracks illustrate that a strong album can come from a serious commitment to the songs all the while not taking oneself too seriously.


The acoustic strums of “Break” introduce the throwback sound of WCH with electric and piano fills, busy backing drumbeats and multiple soundscapes that seem to flow into one another. The album toes the line between a classic Steely Dan tune and contemporary Alt Rock to give it another facet all together. This gives way to the aforementioned “Somewhere You’re Smiling” with its bent note Blues guitar note fills and Patrick Gentles’ vocal delivery that commands a range from gruff grit at moments of emphasis to near falsetto range within the chorus. “Whiter Shades of Trash” lightens the mood with its whimsical ethos of “soccer moms and prefab homes” and certainly evokes Electric Light Orchestra. The musicality again treads equally in the realms of Alt Rock and Easy Listening. “Friends of Mine” opens to acoustic picking and string arrangement before surrendering to jangle guitar and backing key work. Again, WCH bring the quirk on this one which features Gentles’ channeling Jethro Tull’s Ian Anderson on the vocal delivery. As with the rest of the tracks, the melody is complex with multiple soundscape interplay through to its rather abrupt ending.

Musically, this album is big. The instrumentation and multiple use of melody lays out the complexity of the tracks, arguably each bigger and more complex than the former. The tracks borrow from elements of Geek Rock (Weezer, XTC) to Classic (ELO, Chicago, Supertramp) and the whimsy of the songwriting rests nicely with the melodic nature of the tracks. Again, I feel equally like I’ve heard this before and like I am listening to something completely uninfluenced at the same time. The album production is tight without being overproduced… there seems to be a high degree of care and attention to the culmination of sound, allowing all the myriad of sounds to shine through. Overall, well done on all fronts. - Skope Magazine

If WORKING CLASS HUSSYS and front man Ian Patrick Gentles had hit the scene in the mid-1990s, they would undoubtedly be one of the biggest bands in the world by now. Still, as epic as it sounds, they may still get there one day. Changing tastes of generations aside, there is no denying well written, good music when you hear it. Alternative Rock may be out of the underground, but it still scares away some who cling to convention. Everyone tries to stifle bands like this, and make them to fit in too neat categories. The best music often defies this logic and for the sake of the quality of Diary Of A Blue Collar Cracker, it seems like the band is very comfortable following their own muse.

Gentles and his earnest lead vocals lead the way, but the entire band is very strong. Lots of 80s and 90s Alt-Rock bands come to mind as well as classic rock influences when you first sample the songs. Generally, the style relies on Pop tunefulness, but makes room for clever twists and turns musically and lyrically too. The band claims to have quite the Broadway musical bent to them also, and it definitely shines through at times. Maybe some Gleeks will get behind them and champion their songs that lean on this influence.

“Break” is a sunny sounding tune with just a little bit of self-doubt that makes it charming. The band seems like they can take the music in any direction, not unlike THE BEATLES or THE BEACH BOYS used to in those glorious early days of Rock. I also hear a lot of LOUDON WAINRIGHT III, THE EELS and MATTHEW SWEET in “Break”. Pure pop tracks like “Somewhere You’re Smiling” and “Like Your Woman” also have clever lyrics to catch the open minded listener. “Antisocial Butterflies” would be unconventional by modern radio standards, but would be a hit song in any other time in the world. It is easily my favorite track on Diary Of A Blue Collar Cracker.

Other standout tunes are “Friends of Mine”, “Loves To Be”, “Wanna Be Loved”and the WILCO sounding Country Rock of “Empty Handed”. - Hot Indie News

New Jersey based alternative rock band Working Class Hussys is proud to announce the release of Diesel Tunes, their third full length album. The songs on Diesel Tunes explore the common thoughts and experiences from professional truck drivers longing for home while living life on the open road, to the adventures of free-spirits who left their homes to see the U.S.A.
Written by prolific songwriter and lead singer Ian Patrick Gentles, the songs on Diesel Tunes cover a wide emotional and musical spectrum. The album displays the unique vision of a band who has taken their musical influences (alternative rock, classic 70’s and southern rock) and created a sound all their own. Diesel Tunes will be available on Amazon.com and iTunes on July 18, 2014.

The songs on Diesel Tunes are also inspired by Ian's 12 years as a truck driver, "Throughout my experiences and trials driving a truck, the songwriting kept me company during the hundreds of miles and lonely 12 hour days. I was constantly getting melodies in my head while driving and I would have to write them down on the nearest piece of paper and try to decipher chicken-scratch later on when I got home."

The album features the radio friendly tune "Goin' For A Ride," a song about freedom of the open road for someone who wanted to leave their one horse town behind. "To Tennessee" is a rootsy song with a southern rock edge about a trucker who misses his home & family. Everything he sees on the road reminds him of home.

To listen to music visit: http://workingclasshussys.com/music/

Working Class Hussys is an eight member ensemble whose current vision is to bring the sound of three part vocal harmonies together with Ian's strong lead vocal in a rock band setting. Two dueling lead guitars decorate the sound with recognizably rock emphasis. All that combined with a strong rhythm section give the band a unique and powerful "wall of sound." The band features Ian Patrick Gentles (lead singer, acoustic rhythm guitar), Anthony Mann (drums), Brian Casale (electric bass), Mike McClellan (lead guitar), Gregory Winka (lead guitar) and vocalists Pattie Lynn, Amanda During and Ann Shi.


Ian Patrick Gentles is a singer/songwriter who after fronting several bands across the country, has settled down in central New Jersey. He built a home studio and recorded several hundred original songs. This is where he created the idea of Working Class Hussys and how he would bring his music and vision to the world. His songwriting takes influences from many genres ranging from rock, blues, folk, country, pop and even Broadway show tunes. Working Class Hussys have played festivals and venues in New York City, Philadelphia and New Jersey. Their songs have been played on FM and worldwide internet radio, including their track "Goin' For A Ride" from Diesel Tunes.


Diesel Tunes also available at: http://workingclasshussys.bandcamp.com/


Upcoming Concerts:
Thursday, June 12th, 2014 at 8PM in Lambertville, NJ on North Union Street for the Night Faire
Friday, June 13th, 2014 at 7:30PM at Grounds For Sculpture in Hamilton Township, NJ
Saturday, June 21st, 2014 at 1PM at Abe Lebewohl Park on the North West corner of 2nd Ave. and 10th Street in the East Village, NYC as part of the city-wide Make Music New York festival.
Saturday, July 26th, 2014 at 10pm at The Bitter End in New York City. Diesel Tunes CD Release Gig - New Jersey Stage

New Jersey based alternative rock band Working Class Hussys is proud to announce the release ofDiesel Tunes, their third full length album. The songs on Diesel Tunes explore the common thoughts and experiences from professional truck drivers longing for home while living life on the open road, to the adventures of free-spirits who left their homes to see the U.S.A. Written by prolific songwriter and lead singer Ian Patrick Gentles, the songs on Diesel Tunes cover a wide emotional and musical spectrum. The album displays the unique vision of a band who has taken their musical influences (alternative rock, classic 70’s and southern rock) and created a sound all their own. Diesel Tunes will be available on Amazon.com and iTunes on July 18, 2014.

The songs on Diesel Tunes are also inspired by Ian’s 12 years as a truck driver, “Throughout my experiences and trials driving a truck, the songwriting kept me company during the hundreds of miles and lonely 12 hour days. I was constantly getting melodies in my head while driving and I would have to write them down on the nearest piece of paper and try to decipher chicken-scratch later on when I got home.”

The album features the radio friendly tune “Goin’ For A Ride,” a song about freedom of the open road for someone who wanted to leave their one horse town behind. “To Tennessee” is a rootsy song with a southern rock edge about a trucker who misses his home & family. Everything he sees on the road reminds him of home.

To listen to music visit: http://workingclasshussys.com/music/

Working Class Hussys is an eight member ensemble whose current vision is to bring the sound of three part vocal harmonies together with Ian’s strong lead vocal in a rock band setting. Two dueling lead guitars decorate the sound with recognizably rock emphasis. All that combined with a strong rhythm section give the band a unique and powerful “wall of sound.” The band features Ian Patrick Gentles (lead singer, acoustic rhythm guitar), Anthony Mann (drums), Brian Casale (electric bass), Mike McClellan (lead guitar), Gregory Winka (lead guitar) and vocalists Pattie Lynn, Amanda During and Ann Shi.

Ian Patrick Gentles is a singer/songwriter who after fronting several bands across the country, has settled down in central New Jersey. He built a home studio and recorded several hundred original songs. This is where he created the idea of Working Class Hussys and how he would bring his music and vision to the world. His songwriting takes influences from many genres ranging from rock, blues, folk, country, pop and even Broadway show tunes. Working Class Hussys have played festivals and venues in New York City, Philadelphia and New Jersey. Their songs have been played on FM and worldwide internet radio, including their track “Goin’ For A Ride” from Diesel Tunes.

Upcoming Concerts:
Thursday, June 12th, 2014 at 8PM in Lambertville, NJ on North Union Street for the Night Faire
Friday, June 13th, 2014 at 7:30PM at Grounds For Sculpture in Hamilton Township, NJ
Saturday, June 21st, 2014 at 1PM at Abe Lebewohl Park on the North West corner of 2nd Ave. and 10th Street in the East Village, NYC as part of the city-wide Make Music New York festival.
Saturday, July 26th, 2014 at 10pm at The Bitter End in New York City. Diesel Tunes CD Release Gig. - Music News Nashville

New York, NY (Top40 Charts/ Michael Martinez Press Representative) New Jersey based alternative rock band Working Class Hussys is proud to announce the release ofDiesel Tunes, their third full length album. The songs on Diesel Tunes explore the common thoughts and experiences from professional truck drivers longing for home while living life on the open road, to the adventures of free-spirits who left their homes to see the U.S.A. Written by prolific songwriter and lead singer Ian Patrick Gentles, the songs on Diesel Tunes cover a wide emotional and musical spectrum. The album displays the unique vision of a band who has taken their musical influences (alternative rock, classic 70's and southern rock) and created a sound all their own. Diesel Tunes will be available on Amazon.com and iTunes on July 18, 2014. The songs on Diesel Tunes are also inspired by Ian's 12 years as a truck driver, "Throughout my experiences and trials driving a truck, the songwriting kept me company during the hundreds of miles and lonely 12 hour days. I was constantly getting melodies in my head while driving and I would have to write them down on the nearest piece of paper and try to decipher chicken-scratch later on when I got home." The album features the radio friendly tune "Goin' For A Ride," a song about freedom of the open road for someone who wanted to leave their one horse town behind. "To Tennessee" is a rootsy song with a southern rock edge about a trucker who misses his home & family. Everything he sees on the road reminds him of home. To listen to music visit: http://workingclasshussys.com/music/ Diesel Tunes promotional video at: http://workingclasshussys.com/pictures-and-videos/ Working Class Hussys is an eight member ensemble whose current vision is to bring the sound of three part vocal harmonies together with Ian's strong lead vocal in a rock band setting. Two dueling lead guitars decorate the sound with recognizably rock emphasis. All that combined with a strong rhythm section give the band a unique and powerful "wall of sound." The band features Ian Patrick Gentles (lead singer, acoustic rhythm guitar), Anthony Mann (drums), Brian Casale (electric bass), Mike McClellan (lead guitar), Gregory Winka (lead guitar) and vocalists Pattie Lynn, Amanda During and Ann Shi. Ian Patrick Gentles is a singer/songwriter who after fronting several bands across the country, has settled down in central New Jersey. He built a home studio and recorded several hundred original songs. This is where he created the idea of Working Class Hussys and how he would bring his music and vision to the world. His songwriting takes influences from many genres ranging from rock, blues, folk, country, pop and even Broadway show tunes. Working Class Hussys have played festivals and venues in New York City, Philadelphia and New Jersey. Their songs have been played on FM and worldwide internet radio, including their track "Goin' For A Ride" from Diesel Tunes. Diesel Tunes also available at: http://workingclasshussys.bandcamp.com/ Read more at: https://tr.im/f0iGt - Top 40-Charts.com