Belle Rangers ready to ring through CSPS in Cedar Rapids

“Lucifer’s Lament,” the leadoff track from Katie Belle and the Belle Rangers’ latest album, “The Bloodmoon Sessions,” is a catchy alt-country cut inspired by Mark Twain.

The legendary American philosopher once wrote: “But who prays for Satan? Who in eighteen centuries has had the common humanity to pray for the one sinner that needed it most?”

Terrific fodder for the amusing and atmospheric track.

“Twain’s take is on the money,” vocalist/guitarist Katie Belle Trupiano said while calling from her Ottawa, Ill., home. “It’s a great idea for a song.”

The same can be said for the clever “Yesterday’s Coming Again,” which is a clever look back at The Beatles. Crafted by guitarist Tyler Terrones, it says:

“May 1970, Paul told us let it be/Yesterday seemed so far away/Then John left with Ono and no one like Ringo and George got something in the way.”

It’s a cute nod to The Beatles by the under-the-radar roots rock band, which will perform Saturday night at CSPS Hall in Cedar Rapids.

“I love what Tyler came up with,” Trupiano said. “He wrote some great lyrics. The lyrics are typically my thing, but I'm impressed with what Tyler came through with on The Beatles.”

The Fab Four is just one of the bands Trupiano grew up with in Ottawa, 90 miles southwest of Chicago. Trupiano’s music taste is across the board, ranging from such icons as David Bowie, Tom Waits and Chicago punk rockers Naked Raygun.

“During the ’80s I saw so many Naked Raygun shows,” Trupiano said. “They were an incredible band.”

But The Windy City morphed and became a fertile Americana scene during the ’90s.

“That's when I caught the bug — when I saw bands like Freakwater and Wilco,” Trupiano said. “I went out every night to see roots rock bands in Chicago. It was addictive and the most amazing time.”

It’s surprising that Bloodshot Records, based in Chicago and home to many alt-country acts, never signed Katie Belle and the Belle Rangers. Nevertheless, the group went the independent route, self-releasing material since 1999.

The band — which also includes Trupiano's husband, Duffelbag Joe Trupiano on banjo and vocals, bassist John Nicoli, drummer Dick Verrucchi, and multi-instrumentalist Christina Eltrevogue — has no problem with the DIY approach.

“We’ve proven that we can do it ourselves,” Trupiano said. “I have no problem juggling all sorts of things.”

Trupiano is more than capable. She works by day as a special education high school teacher and is a yoga instructor in the evening.

“I believe I get more done when I’m busy,” she said as she prepared a frittata for the next day’s lunch. “I like multi-tasking.”

Trupiano enjoys teaching, but music is her passion, particularly when it comes to wordplay.

“Writing lyrics is my superpower,” she said. “I can crank out lyrics quickly. It’s like there’s a party in my head when it comes to writing lyrics.”

The Smiths are Trupiano’s favorite band when it comes to lyrics. Thanks to singer/songwriter Morrissey, The Smiths have arguably crafted the funniest lyrics in pop music history.

“I’m such a huge fan of The Smiths when it comes to the words, but also the music,” Trupiano said. “I love how The Smiths could play something so soft and come back with something so rocking. It’s about having that combination. We’re like that too.”

Katie Belle and the Belle Rangers is an engaging live band at its best under the lights.

“We all really enjoy playing in front of an audience,” Trupiano said. “You get an extra dimension of this band when we perform live.”