“Being in limbo was hell. We did not belong there — it’s not how we operate,” Badlees vocalist Pete Palladino responds to questions concerning the recent buyout of their label Polydor Records. With the band since its 1995 River Songs release, Polydor — part of the Polygram corporation — was sold, as part of the entire organization, to the massive Canadian beverage and entertainment company Seagrams for an estimated $10.4 billion. And while the buy-out cost many employees their jobs, it also robbed more than 300 artists of not only their earning potential, but the passion that is their lifeblood. Unfortunately in this case, The Badlees weren’t included in Seagram’s congratulatory toast.

Corporate takeovers and downsizing have hit home in Pennsylvania on more than one occasion. In this instance, however, The Badlees hit back. While still holding on to their typical grass roots approach, the band was business savvy enough not to allow to let any grass roots grow under their feet. So, together with their manager Terry Selders, they decided enough was enough. Selders quickly requested notice of their drop from the record label in some written form so that they could work independently and not be in violation of their contract. As requested, a fax was sent to Selders indicated that The Badlees would in fact be dropped from the Polydor label — so they came home and created Amazing Grace, which was self-promoted and produced through Rite-Off Entertainment, Selder’s Harrisburg-based company. Ironically, the very day Amazing Grace was released on the internet, a certified letter arrived from Polygram officially notifying the band that they had been dropped from the label. After its release, Amazing Grace received substantial airplay throughout Central Pennsylvania. The band also played the club and college circuit, giving local fans a chance to see and hear the band at just a stone’s throw away again.

Selders, manager of the band for roughly ten years, found that the hardest thing to deal with was the mandated inactivity based on their contract with Polydor. “We were idling for about a year — The Badlees have always thrived on hard work — putting out an album every 18 months and touring in support of those releases. The major label deal broke that cycle, and the merger ultimately put everyone in limbo, which is the worst place to be. I understand from a business standpoint that making things leaner and efficient is more economical — that makes perfect sense — but it was the way in which they handled it that was so poor. They literally want you to just sit around month after month while they sort things out. We had an album ready to go and our hands were tied.”

The album Selders speaks of is Up Here Down There, and it is quite possibly some of the band’s finest music. And Miles Copeland, CEO of Los Angeles-based Ark 21 records and new home to The Badlees, couldn’t agree more. The album’s single “Don’t Let Me Hide” found its way into Copeland’s living room one afternoon via Ark 21’s General Manager John Rotella. Rotella, former Vice President of Sales at Polydor — another casualty of the takeover war — had worked with the band before and was familiar with their sound, style, and work ethic. So, soon after being hired at Ark 21 he inquired about the Up Here Down There album and played it for Copeland. Thirty seconds into the song Copeland was sold, largely because Rotella was convinced that he had something great. “The Badlees are that rare band that reaches out and grabs your soul,” he says. “From the writing and lyrics, to their sound, to their presence … they have the capability to be in the ranks with the Tom Pettys, the Sheryl Crows … the bands and musicians that last.” When asked how he felt about mergers and takeovers making their way into the music industry, Rotella wistfully replies, “Bean Counters — it’s all about who sells the most records and makes the most money. Yes … that is the ultimate goal, but what is a true tragedy is that many of these companies fail to realize the true art that lasts and has value has to be cultivated. Sure, many of these attention- grabbing here-and-now musicians and bands are talented, but it is talent that is short lived. It is the rare band or artist that has longevity and staying power. The Badlees are that rare band. You hear it in their music, see it in their faces, feel it in their presence.”

Rotella is right. Set for a national release date of August 24, Up Here Down There breathes life back into the band — with an eclectic mix of harmonies and ballads that will make you proud these guys are from Pennsylvania. Fans will revel in the band’s one-of-a-kind sound. In fact, renowned Los Angeles radio station KLOS was ecstatic with the new release. “This band is phenomenal,” it notes, adding, “We can’t get it out of the CD player!” Selders couldn’t be happier about the Badlees’ new venture “We’re back in the game. With everything we’ve learned since River Songs, I think we’re much better prepared for a national release. Ark 21 is smaller than our last label and that suits us fine. Things will develop more organically, which is how things always worked best for us in the past — let the music dictate how promotions are handled. Not how big the budget is.”

To be sure, Palladino’s enthusiasm about the album’s release was unmistakable. “This takes us to a new level as a band,” he says, “The writing is incredible — the vocals, everything from every angle — is better.” In regard to the new label, though cautiously optimistic, Palladino feels the match with Ark 21 is a good one. “Being on a smaller label means we maintain more control creatively,” he states, “If you allow too many people in … something gets lost somewhere. That is one thing we learned in dealing with a larger record label. So in reality … this is the best thing that could have happened to us. It’s time to start new. We’ve been ready for this for a long time.”

Too bad Seagram’s put what could have been one of their finest works on the rocks. The Badlees not only have what it takes to rock —they’re sure to be rockin’ for a long time.