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.