Margot and the Nuclear So and Sos to play in town, announce label

On stage, guitarist Andy Fry is not afraid to improvise. His band, Margot and the Nuclear So and Sos, has never used a permanent set list and sometimes plays without one at all. With his “generic rock instrument,” Fry is the playmaker of the musical arrangement. With eight other band members on stage, the role is daunting and rewarding at the same time. \n“That’s my favorite part about playing,” Fry said.\nPerhaps with the longest name to ever grace the Bluebird’s stage, Indianapolis’ Margot and the Nuclear So and Sos will be playing at 9 p.m. Saturday. Bluebird Public Relations Director Aaron Estabrook said the So and Sos is a band on the rise and the biggest band in Indiana right now. \nA bidding war erupted between labels wanting to sign the So and Sos because of their growing popularity. The band has chosen Epic Records, singer/songwriter Richard Edwards said. The band took less money so it could have more control over its music, Edwards said.\n“The people who are working on the new Michael Jackson record won’t be working on our record,” Edwards said. \nThe road to a major record deal began for the So and Sos in 2004 when Edwards and Fry met in a pet store in Indianapolis. They became fast friends and started recording an album that would eventually become 2005’s “The Dust of Retreat.” While recording the album, other musicians popped in and out of the studio. It became clear that Edwards’ and Fry’s musical vision needed more instruments. Thus, the current band roster consisting of guitars, cello, trumpet, drums/percussion, bass and piano was born, Edwards said. \nMost of the songs and lyrics on “The Dust of Retreat” were written by Edwards when he was a teenager in high school. Now 23, Edwards said he didn’t really know what he was doing when writing those songs and is only proud of a few of them like “Skeleton Key” and “Vampires in Blue Dresses.” Edwards said he is uncomfortable playing “Jen is Bringin’ the Drugs” now. \n“I didn’t know what problems were when I was writing those songs,” Edwards said. \nThe So and Sos have been in the studio for the better part of this year and Edwards said they play almost all new songs now. He strives to make songs that are technically proficient and he has no desire to \n“wax poetic.” \nFry said he enjoys playing the new songs. The feel of something new is never something that can be faked or parodied on stage, he said. \nJoining Margot and the Nuclear So and Sos at the Bluebird Saturday is Battle of the Bands champions Prizzy Prizzy Please and Tennessee-based Autovaughn. Tickets are $6.