Comprised of musicians spanning three different countries, TRADING ACES is a 4-piece band of rock ‘n’ roll outlaws obsessed with fast cars, hard drinkin’, breakin’ laws and breakin’ hearts. Featuring members of WARRIOR SOUL, STREETWALKIN’ CHEETAHS, and THE CITY KIDS, the Aces met during the pandemic, hustlin’ music to survive while the world froze.
Their debut album “Rock ‘n’ Roll Homicide” mixes sounds of traditional hard rock, some punkish aggression, and old school heavy metal, laced with plenty of hooks reminiscent of the Sunset Strip and spilling over with volume and attitude. At places, think Cheap Trick meets Judas Priest. Think AC/DC meets Hanoi Rocks.
The Streetwalkin’ Cheetahs may be on hiatus (thank you so much, pandemic), but that hasn’t stopped leader Frank Meyer from making music. During the lockdown the L.A. rocker started another band with a different set of pals. Drawing from the ranks of Warrior Soul and The City Kids for a tribute track to Eddie Van Helen, Meyer and friends created Trading Aces, knocking out enough songs for a debut LP in record time.
Rock ‘n’ Roll Homicide blasts out raging butt rock nuggets (ew) like “Social Disease,” “F.A.B.”, “Napalm Bombs,” and “Ain’t It a Bitch” with almost casual ease, battle-hardened skill, and a truckload of enthusiasm. Funny thing, though – despite a different lineup of musicians, a more lighthearted attitude, and an avowed influence not usually associated with his other bands, the Aces end up sounding, well, a lot like the Cheetahs.
The punk influence gets sublimated but the Detroit-fueled action rock riffage isn’t too far away from the Cheetahs’ less speedy works – it’s just got more guitar solos in classic hard rock style.
In fact, ”Rock ‘n’ Roll Homicide” music foundation is traditional bluesy hard rock. And it’s a lot of fun.
Tracklist:
01. Rock 'N' Roll Homicide (3:44)
02. Destination Insane (4:33)
03. Ain't It A Bitch (3:33)
04. Beautiful Sunday (3:58)
05. Hello Hangover (3:12)
06. F.A.B. (3:00)
07. California Schemin' (3:24)
08. Hey Geraldine, You Can't Stop Me Now (3:36)
09. Napalm Bombs (4:48)
10. Dirty Love (3:51)
11. Social Disease (5:06)
12. In A Simple Rhyme (4:40)
Trading Aces – Rock ‘n’ Roll Homicide (2023)+FLAC