J Roddy Walston's debut due out July 27
Baltimore rock madmen J Roddy Walston and the Business are all set to release a self-titled debut album July 27 on Fairfax Recordings/Vagrant, the label announced yesterday.
Technically, it's the band's second album ("Hail Mega Boys" came out a few years ago), but their first label release.
The album was recorded at a breakneck pace -- all 10 songs were cut in less than two weeks, using vintage studio equipment and few overdubs ...
One song from "Hail Mega Boys" makes an appearance on the new album: "Used to Did." The others are new, but anchored by Roddy's hammering piano chords and guitarist Billy Gordon's blistering riffage.
I got a sneak peek of the new album, and let me tell you -- it's going to pop a few eardrums. Walston's primal shrieks can peel the paint off walls, and they're in full force here. This is American music down to its deliciously dirty core. The Hold Steady might not be America's best bar band anymore.
Stay tuned, folks.
Clicking on Green Links will take you to a third-party e-commerce site. These sites are not operated by The Baltimore Sun. The Sun Editorial staff is not involved in any way with Green Links or with these third-party sites.
Erik Maza is a features reporter at the Baltimore Sun. He writes for several sections of the Sun paper and contributes weekly columns on music and nightlife. He also writes and edits the Midnight Sun blog. He often covers entertainment, business, and the business of entertainment. Occasionally, he writes about Four Loko, The Block, the liquor board, and those who practice "
Comments
Woah... a comparison to The Hold Steady?
You've got my attention.
Posted by: Miles | May 12, 2010 1:31 PM
Any talk of a CD release party/
Posted by: duffster | May 12, 2010 1:50 PM
I've been keeping up with their FB page. They recorded the new LP out in LA and generated a lot of buzz in Austin when they played there. Looking forward to the new release very much.
Easy on the Hold Steady knock Sam! Although their new LP isn't the same "Bar Band" rock as the last few discs, I would argue they've really grown as musicians. I mean pedal steel on a Steady record??
Posted by: Sturmy | May 12, 2010 2:47 PM
The Hold Steady is not and never was a bar band.
J. Roddy & the Business wouldn't really qualify as a bar band either.
A bar band is typically the 'house band' at a bar and typically takes a backseat to the booze. True bar bands tend to play a lot of cover songs and don't typically release records at all.
Being a bar band is the bottom of the musical totem pole.
Posted by: The Baltimore Chop | May 12, 2010 2:50 PM
I first found out about J Roddy by seeing them open for The Hold Steady at some Jack Daniels sponsored gig.
Let me tell you, The Business absolutely deserves to be on the same stage.
Posted by: charlemange | May 13, 2010 11:38 AM
@Sturmy - Actually, I think that distinction is reserved for wedding bands.
Agree with charlemange - caught these guys when they opened for the Hold Steady, and immediately downloaded Hail Mega Boys from emusic when I got home. I'm excited to hear the new stuff, and definitely can't wait to see them live again.
Posted by: Mike Kavanagh | May 13, 2010 12:10 PM
"Being a bar band is the bottom of the musical totem pole."
heh...John Mayer used to be one of the rotating acts at my bar in Atlanta...guess that proves your point
ZINK!
Posted by: BC | May 13, 2010 12:41 PM
Guys, nobody loves the Steady more than me. Personally, I don't think of them as a "Bar Band" as much as my favorite act to see live right now. I was just going by what the mainstream press were saying.
I did see this today though:
http://www.time.com/time/video/player/0,32068,85121182001_1988898,00.html
Posted by: Sturmy | May 13, 2010 5:49 PM