Record Release Roundup

Crown City Sessions is the second full-length from the Riders, whose studio posse included Dire Straits producer Guy Fletcher and saxophonist Buddy Leach (George Thorogood and the Destroyers). “It was recorded on a rented mobile unit,” says front man Tom Cusimano, “in a little house on Coronado Island, aka Crown City, which was set to be demolished at the end of the summer.” Copies will be available when the band plays an acoustic set at Wine Steals in Cardiff on Thursday, December 3.

Hocus debuts their Better Than You album on December 4 with a release party at the Soda Bar. “We’ve got some go-go dancers who’ve been wanting to dance for us, so hopefully they’ll be ready for the show,” says Hocus honcho Lando Martinez, who retired from the U.S. Navy in 2008 after serving 20 years. “Tell the doorman you’re there for Hocus, and you’ll get a free copy of the album.”

The Nervous Wreckords, featuring ex-members of Louis XIV, are having a release party for their Nailbighter EP on December 9 at the Casbah. “We don’t do any covers at the moment, but we have tossed a couple around,” says Wreckords center Brian Karscig. “As far as special guests go, a lot of friends were involved in making this record, so I guess you just never know who may show up.”

Tristeza’s new album Fate Unfolds will be available (on vinyl) when the band plays the Casbah on December 12. Digital distribution will begin later this month.

Spanish guitarist David Maldonado has a CD-release party set for December 23 at Anthology.

The Bully Blinders play a release party for their City of Dirt album at the Casbah on December 16, along with Marquez (also debuting a new CD). According to William Talls, “Special guests that will be there are the KneeHighs, Parker Edison, and maybe a surprise appearance from Charlie Sheen. We promise not to ask you to throw your hands up in the air and wave ’em like you just don’t care.”

Ristband, with Roxy Monoxide guitarist Dave Gladish, release their debut nine-song album in late December. “We were originally called the Hired Gun All-Stars,” says Gladish, “but that name was a little pretentious.”

Astra Kelly, whose last record was in 2004, has a release party for her new EP Battling the Sun scheduled for January 23 at the Ruby Room. “The new songs have a really cool vibe that I haven’t touched upon before in my set,” says Kelly. “Local artist Billy Martinez, who did the EP cover art, will be there doing live artwork.”

Also slated for January are new albums from blues rocker JAC, San Francisco guitar whiz Kenny Eng, jazzy singer-guitarist Steph Johnson, and Zeppelin-esque bar belters Superunloader.