Still smokin'

Now entering its 14th year, Atlanta's roots-rocking, world-touring Cigar Store Indians have managed to survive on the edges of a fringe genre. "How much can somebody torture themselves?" laughs lead singer/ songwriter/rhythm guitarist Ben Friedman, when asked about the band's durability.

"In all honesty, my back's kinda up against the wall," Friedman says. "We just keep going out of sheer fright that we would have to do something else, even though sometimes I feel like a moving company. The two hours on stage are the best part and the rest is just shuffling shit around."

With the recent release of their fourth album, Built of Stone, the one-time rockabilly rebels have shifted and stretched their sonic swath. That is due in part to new lead guitarist Jeff Sprayberry, who joined after founding member Jim Lavender departed to pursue other interests. "Jeff's style has changed the band," Friedman says. "Where Jim was into the retro stuff, Jeff has a Rolling Stones pop side to him. It was going in that direction anyhow, as my songs were stepping out of the late '50s-early '60s vibe. As an artist, it was hard to sit around and paint the same picture. But with a new guitar player, it dotted the 'I' and crossed the 'T'."

The result is a typically exuberant, raw but professionally recorded album. Made from Stone retains the swinging, earthy twang that established the group, yet expands that sound — with help from producers Rodney Mills and Jeff Bakos. They give it a Replacements/ Creedence-influenced approach, yielding the Indians' best and most diverse album.

The disc's title is based on a song lyric and also reflects the band's longevity. "We looked at each other and couldn't believe we had been together as long as we have," Friedman says. "We feel like we're getting as old as stones ... but we haven't crumbled yet."

Cigar Store Indians play the Star Bar Sat., Jan. 15, 9 p.m., with Bishop Don. $10.