ASHEVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) —
Ever heard of “Rockabilly Swing?”
Local band The Trusty Hucksters has played an eclectic mix of “surf, folk, jazz, spaghetti western soundtracks and slapstick humor” at live shows since 2017, according to band member Mark Toolan.
The band’s fans have been asking for a studio record for five years, he said. And the band has answered.
The Trusty Hucksters will host a release party for the band’s first album from 9 p.m. to midnight on July 5 at Jack of the Wood at 95 Patton Ave., Asheville.
A follow-up show will take place from 9 p.m. to midnight on July 6 at Boojum Brewing at 145 Wall St., Waynesville.
The album, called Hucksters Hottest Hits, contains tracks with everything from jazzy tunes to surf-rock vibes.
Toolan says the band “exist[s] just behind the beat in a constant state of carefully rehearsed half-improvisation.”
The band members are Mark Toolan on guitar and vocals, John Tirone on bass and vocals, Keith Yoder on guitar and Trevor Jackson on drums, a group Toolan described as “poets, pirates, punks and peacocks.”
Their album has been a challenge to create for years. According to Toolan, after “several failed attempts to capture the energy of the band in the very sterile, crowd-less environment that is the studio,” they put down the project until “Late in 2023 we bought a van to tour in, only for it to burst into flames on the side of the road about 20 minutes after handing over the money. We figured it was a sign that we’d better come off the road for a little bit and finally make that album that people have been asking us for.”
“Besides,” Toolan quipped, “the photo of the flaming van made for a great album cover, and Hucksters Hottest Hits was an obvious name, so we got to work.”
The album will be available for purchase in person at both shows on CD, cassette, USB drive and 8-track tape. A streaming release will follow later in July.