Record-Release Roundup

Downspell’s release party for their new full-length The Violent Majority happens Friday, June 3, at Brick by Brick. “It’s the kick-off to our West Coast tour with To Violently Vomit,” says singer Tyson Montrucchio. “The name [of the record] is a play on the phrase 'silent majority,' reflecting on today’s political climate in London, Egypt, Libya, America, and everywhere that civilian protests have turned violent.” Guests on the album include Dan Lilker (Nuclear Assault, Anthrax), Kevin Sharp (Venomous Concept, Brutal Truth), and Travis Ryan (Cattle Decapitation). The June 3 show will also serve as the U.S.-release party for the band’s new split CD with All Will Suffer, on U.K. label Feto Records.

Hershel Abram debuts his 26-song double album War of Music Volume 1 with a June 7 release party at the AC Lounge in North Park. “The show will start off with a live interview hosted by the local weekly talk show The Break, and then I’ll be performing a few of my singles off the album,” says Abram. The free show will include a screening of Abram’s new video “Weather the Storm,” with the first 50 attendees getting a free copy of the album. Abram has signed a one-year deal with NBC for his music to air on a morning news program.

Other new releases for June include Grant Clarkson’s Dearly Beloved, an album of acoustic jazz trio standards (upright bass, piano, drums) recorded “in the very traditional style during one session on March 15, with no computer bullshit,” according to Clarkson.

Also expect a six-song EP from Genius of Soul and new full-lengths from glam-slammers Street of Little Girls (recorded at Black Box Studio with Greg Gerardi), folky duo Berkley Hart (Crow), and Action Andy Rasmussen’s new all-star band Action Andy and the Hightones, featuring former Mojo Nixon cohort Skid Roper on drums, Xavier Anaya (Trebels, Hoods, Baja Bugs) on lead guitar, and Tom Ward (Nashville Ramblers, Fairmounts) on upright and electric bass.