The "Zevonesque" Bigfellas released their first full-length album, "Chubbed Up" in 2008 which was nominated for 2009 Los Angeles Music Awards as "Record Of The Year". They're often described as "Steely Dan for the Pabst Blue Ribbon set." Band lineup: Shay Bell (drums, vocals), Charlie Recksieck (keyboards, vocals, etc.), Andy Machin (guitars, vocals), Tim Hempstead (bass, vocals) and sometimes Don "Donnie Bratwust" Hickox (violin). In 2011 the band appeared in and supplied original songs for a documentary about suicide (Don't Change The Subject), described as "A darkly comic exploration of one of the dirtiest words in any language - suicide." The Bigfellas' Charlie Recksieck also composed the full score for the movie, which should be released at the end of 2011 or premiere at 2012 Sundance Film Festival. The Bigfellas are deeply influenced by The Police & Steely Dan, but with their eclectic and sometimes-funny songs they've also been likened to Ben Folds, Warren Zevon, They Might Be Giants, Randy Newman, Barenaked Ladies, Beck and The Flaming Lips. ...show more

The "Zevonesque" Bigfellas released their first full-length album, "Chubbed Up" in 2008 which was nominated for 2009 Los Angeles Music Awards as "Record Of The Year". They're often described as "Steely Dan for the Pabst Blue Ribbon set." Band lineup: Shay Bell (drums, vocals), Charlie Recksieck (keyboards, vocals, etc.), Andy Machin (guitars, vocals), Tim Hempstead (bass, vocals) and sometimes Don "Donnie Bratwust" Hickox (violin). In 2011 the band appeared in and supplied original songs for a documentary about suicide (Don't Change The Subject), described as "A darkly comic exploration of one of the dirtiest words in any language - suicide." The Bigfellas' Charlie Recksieck also composed the full score for the movie, which should be released at the end of 2011 or premiere at 2012 Sundance Film Festival. The Bigfellas are deeply influenced by The Police & Steely Dan, but with their eclectic and sometimes-funny songs they've also been likened to Ben Folds, Warren Zevon, They Might Be Giants, Randy Newman, Barenaked Ladies, Beck and The Flaming Lips.

The band is known through local TV, radio, club and festival appearances as being a humorous band with their golf rap "On The Green", the Gershwin-Wainwright fueled "I Wish That I Were Gay" and their often-absurd live shows ... or perhaps also known for often frying up grilled cheese sandwiches onstage for their audience. Their fans include Bruce Hornsby, Van Dyke Parks, Robert Christgau, T.C. Boyle & Tom Robbins but this KPFK public radio review maybe says it best: "I love how the melodies are so beautiful, but the content is a complete left turn from what you would expect to hear lyrically (with those particular melodies).

It's like hearing Stevie Wonder playing keys and singing about "slappin' a bitch"... but it's still amazing!!" Prior to their debut album they've had success as a local San Diego band with multiple appearances on local Southern California television, festivals, clubs, local and college radio as well being voted "Best Local Band In San Diego" two years in a row by San Diego Union-Tribune readers. The band also has been touring away from San Diego in Northern California, Oregon and Washington for the past couple of years.. ...show less