Named for the David Bowie track that they cover, the 4-song recording also features re-workings of two songs that appeared on the collective's debut, George Lassos the Moon, which came out earlier this year, as well as a cover of Local H's "Hey, Rita," from their 2004 album Whatever Happened to PJ Soles.

Andy Gerber produced the EP, which will be released on CD, digitally and on limited-edition vinyl by G&P Records. (Scott Lucas' band Local H will also release an EP of cover songs, Local H's Awesome Mix Tape #1, on October 19th.)

Scott Lucas is best known as the singer/guitarist for the two-man, Chicago rock band Local H. But to go it alone, he has greatly expanded his line-up, pulling together a collective of musicians that currently numbers seven and includes violin, accordion and organ. The result is quite different than Local H and a perfect fit for Lucas' heartfelt songs of longing for a love lost. Reviewers have compared the band to American Music Club, Paul K. & the Weathermen and Lambchop.

"The irony of putting together a band this big to go 'solo' certainly isn't lost on me," Lucas says. "But I think the idea should be to try different things, to push myself."

Scott Lucas & the Married Men have been playing the EP's title track live for most of this past year. "'Absolute Beginners' is the most romantic song ever written," declares Lucas. "It's possibly my favorite David Bowie song." Local H's "Hey, Rita" has also consistently been on the Married Men's set list.

Additionally, the band decided to re-record two songs -- "Crosshairs" and "Last One" -- from their debut album to capture the way they had evolved after more time spent together playing live. This past year, the Married Men toured the Northeast, Midwest and South and performed on Chicago's JBTV http://www.jbtvonline.com/archives/Scott-Lucas-and-The-Married-Men/all-years/Episode-06.07.2010. More dates are planned with the release of this EP, including a stop at the CMJ Music Marathon in October.

"We recorded this EP the day after we returned from our first tour," Lucas explains. "When we recorded the first record, we hadn't been together for more than a month. Some of us barely knew the songs. I wanted to capture the band after it had been on the road. To see how the dynamic had changed. There's more energy. It's been great to watch this band grow. It makes me really excited for the next album."

The Absolute Beginners EP Absolute Beginners EP
1. Absolute Beginners
2. Crosshairs
3. Hey, Rita
4. Last One