Off the Record

Jesse Dayton and Brennen Leigh hold their own. (Photo by Todd V. Wolfson)

Slow Ride

Local rockabilly troupe the Road Kings are tuning up two of their old European releases, Lonestar Hoedown and Rockabilly, for a compilation to be released stateside on Stag Records later this year. Frontman and Stag co-owner Jesse Dayton duets with local country and gospel songstress Brennen Leigh on Holdin' Our Own, due in February. Also in the pipeline for the local label is the Texas Sapphires' Roadhouse Germs, recorded live at John T. Floore Country Store and backed by steel guitarist Nate Fleming and drummer Eric Tucker.

Songs of Faith and Devotion

Former Depeche Mode keyboardist Alan Wilder called upon local bluesman Joe Richardson to help transform his fifth solo outing as Recoil into something Subhuman. Richardson, accompanied by his backing band, the Express, wrote three of the seven songs and handled lead vocals on five of the album's tracks, which were recorded at Austin's Texas Treefort Studios and will be released stateside on Mute Records Tuesday. "This collaboration was more a blending of creative styles," says Richardson. "I wasn't surprised with the outcome but rather pleased."