Singer and songwriter Austin Lucas is the son of bluegrass producer and songwriter Bob Lucas. The younger Lucas played in several punk bands and moved to the Czech Republic in 2003, and by the time he returned to the states in 2008, he had re-thought his musical direction, moving toward the Americana-based music and songwriting of his childhood, developing an intelligent and melodic style, and unveiling a country-flavored voice. He began releasing solo albums with The Common Cold in 2006; it was followed with Putting the Hammer Down in 2007, Bristle Ridge (with Chuck Ragan) in 2008, At War with Freak Folk, also in 2008, Somebody Loves You in 2009, and, after signing with New West Records, Stay Reckless in 2013. ~ Steve Leggett