Out now on Spacecase Records: Monsieur Jeffrey Evans and his C.C. Riders

C.C. Riders | Monsieur Jeffrey Evans and his C.C. Riders LP

C.C. Riders were: Monsieur Jeffrey Evans (vocals, guitar), James Arthur (guitar), Jay Reatard (guitar) and Alicja Trout (drums). The band was something of a Memphis super group. Jeffrey Evans had formerly fronted the Gibson Bros. and was winding down '68 Comeback when C.C. Riders formed in 2000. James Arthur, who had recently moved to Memphis from Los Angeles, was an ex-member of Fireworks and The Necessary Evils. Jay Reatard (Reatards) and Alicja Trout (ex-Clears, Mouserocket) were just getting Lost Sounds off the ground when Jeffrey asked them to round out the C.C. Riders lineup. "With C.C. Riders I was basically doing what I always did, covering songs and writing a couple," recalls Jeffrey Evans. "We had a Friday night practice. It was fun. Some people play cards. We played music. We practiced from like eight to ten, so we still had time for dinner before practice and then maybe catch a show afterwards."

In 2001, Alicja and Jay recorded C.C. Riders' self-titled CD. The CD-R was released on Trout's Contaminated label; it was hand numbered and limited to only 100 copies. Among the album's highlights is a flushed out version of Evans' stellar original, "Long, Long Ballad of the Red-Headed Girl" "(The song) has a walk-down chord progression," states Evans. "The song also appears on (the amazing half spiel/half song acoustic record) I've Lived a Rich Life. It was much more orchestral with C.C. Riders. I don't know if I could write a song like that today. We just banged that C.C. Riders record out. We got what we got."

"Live shows were so much fun!" recalls Alicja Trout. "We played about ten to fifteen shows. Jeffrey was always changing stuff up live or forcing an uncomfortably new song on us.  That touch of chaos was just what I needed.  I know both Jay and I liked to be very prepared, Jay more than me.  Jay was a great musician and so it was interesting to see him struggle when something got thrown in his face unplanned in the live arena. Same for me. It was always cool for James Arthur. He's an easy going personality."

C.C. Riders played their last shows and wound down around 2002.

Spacecase Records has pressed up 500 vinyl copies of this C.C. Riders reissue LP. Outside of the Contaminated CD-R release in 2001, this is the only other pressing of the album available.

SCR002 Review in Terminal Boredom

VIA http://terminal-boredom.com/reviews/201212/

V/A James Arthur/Alicja Trout split 7"
I don't feel like I should have to lay out James Arthur's credentials for you, as if you're this deep into a Termbo review section you should know that anything the guy touches is gold, from Fireworks to Necessary Evils to A Feast of Snakes to the New Memphis Legs. A founding member of the Golden Boys. A CC Rider even. His solo LP as James Arthur's Manhunt was one of the most overlooked top shelf LPs of modern vintage, and the (hopefully) soon to be released second LP from that combo is at the top of my can't-fucking-wait-to-hear list. His track on this, "Go West Old Bastard", is a wide expanse of Texas-style Krautrock instrumentalism, atmospheric guitar tracking hauled by drumdrive that picks up speed into a tornado of oscillation which drops crashing waves down on the dust. I've heard the new LP is mostly instrumental tracks such as this and I'm looking forward to two sides of similar sprawl. On side Alicja, a figure just as impressive as James when it comes to back catalog, you get "Close Ur Eyes" a quiet and trebly solo effort, which reminds me of Nervous Patterns. A hooky garage-synth number with beautifully sad vocals, melancholy vibes and a somber solo. I'm not usually one to recommend two-song splits, but this one has some merit, as it's one of the best Alicja tunes I've heard in a long time and the teaser for the JAM LP is worth a look. (RK) (Spacecase Records // www.spacecaserecords.com)

Roctober Review of SCR002

Hello friends. Check out the newest review of our second release, James Arthur and Alicja Trout - Split 7", courtesy of Chicago's Roctober magazine.

Click here to read review!

Yay!

SCR002

Our second release is officially here!

ALICJA TROUT/JAMES ARTHUR
"Go West Old Bastards" b/w "Close Ur Eyes" split 7"

"West Old Bastards/Close Ur Eyes" is the second single from Spacecase Records.

Texan James Arthur is a garage-rock mainstay with an impressive track record. James is an ex-member of Fireworks, Necessary Evils, CC Riders, New Memphis Legs and The Golden Boys. For the past few years, James has focused on his band, James Arthur's Manhunt. Known for his guitar playing, James' new material has been largely instrumental. "Go West Old Bastards", with its repetitive drum pattern and atmospheric guitar playing, is influenced by Krautrock bands Neu! and Can. James is assisted on the track by Orville Neeley (Bad Sports, OBN III) and Bryan Schmitz (Golden Boys).

Memphian Alicja Trout's track record is also impressive. Alicja played in The Clears, The Lost Sounds, CC Riders (with James Arthur and Jeffrey Evans) and Nervous Patterns; she's currently in The River City Tanlines and releases solo material through her Alicja-Pop and Black Sunday projects. Alicja also ran Contaminated Records and with Jay Reatard mastered The Reigning Sound's incredible LP, Too Much Guitar. Alicja played all the music on her side and provided the album's cover art. Her track should appeal to fans of Black Sunday and Nervous Patterns.