With the independent release of their debut album Drinking and Smoking Too Much With Women I hate, Boston’s Milquetoast & Co. bring together years of do-it-yourself hard work and creativity with the wry, witty, no-nonsense re-telling of hard nights and harder days that has come to epitomize the band’s sound. Milquetoast & Co. has respectfully declined to join a particular genre by freely crossing the lines between Rock, Southern Blues and Rockabilly while sprinkling in a touch of classical and soul to keep things interesting. Milquetoast & Co. began as dynamic singer/songwriter “Restless” James McAndrew’s solo project in the summer of 2004. Originally called simply “Milquetoast,” the music has grown over time to include cello (Robin Ryczek), bass (Joe Mageary), Drums (Panama Quinn) and a litany of other instruments to fill out their sound (Bill Whitney). Together, their music has drawn comparisons to Tom Waits, Morphine and Jeff Buckley, among others. In late 2008, Milquetoast added “& Co.” to their name as a tribute to the revolving door of band members and on-stage performers that has swirled around the band since its inception. Boasting a lineup that has rivaled The Village People in its diversity, from homeless man to Harvard scientist, and touting experience that includes punk, metal, classical and eastern European Gypsy ensembles, Milquetoast & Co. tackle the task of being equally edgy and accessible in an effort to stick their fingers into the crack between chaos and commonplace and scoop out the creativity that nests inside. Their “everyone’s invited” ethos has translated into an array of songs that make a Milquetoast & Co. performance nothing if not memorable. From the haunting melodies of Bracing Yourself to the kitschy yet catchy kazoos in the eponymous Mr. Milquetoast to the full-bore explosion of Cigarette Burns, Milquetoast & Co. have a song for every palate and a set list for every venue, leaving nothing to be desired. James McAndrew, vocal and guitar Joe Mageary, bass Mike Panama Quinn, drums Bill Whitney, guitar and trumpet Robin Ryczek, cello