Album Notes

The ten tracks on the band’s debut, The Bellringer, come together to form one musically and lyrically unified piece of work. Written by Mike Schaller, mostly during his three year sojourn in California, the album’s underlying theme is one of hopeful existentialism. Songs like “Rain On Me”, “Utah” and “Hallelujah Tonight” question our spirituality and mortality, while “Checkmate” and “Big Fish” look at the frivolity of modern life. Not to be taken too seriously, the album also includes themes of sex (“I’m Not Gonna Work For You”) and intoxication (“The B’s”). The music jumps seamlessly from tight dance grooves to lush, open walls of sound enriched by the use of electronic beats and samples.

A cross-country drive brought Mike and his brother Steve Schaller together musically for the first time, combining their diverse musical backgrounds to create one unique sound. Back home in Philadelphia they found their rhythm section in long time friend and bassist Mike Gordon and drummer Josh Fullam, completing the lineup.

The title of the album comes from the Schaller brothers’ last name, which loosely translates to The Bellringer in German. The name fit, as the album both begins and ends with a call, and the sound of bells can be heard as a recurring theme throughout the record.

This is only the beginning for Oso. A five song EP entitled Seek Kid, is getting its finishing touches and the next full length album, featuring writing from all of the band members, is also well under way.