The independent outfit The Compulsions has announced US performances on Tuesday, April 14th in New York City at the Mercury Lounge and in Los Angeles on Thursday, April 16th at The Viper Room. The new album Dirty Fun--out April 14th on Compulsions Records -- features the talents of vocalist and rhythm guitarist Rob Carlyle, lead guitarist Richard Fortus (Guns N’ Roses), drummer Frank “Thunderchucker” Ferrer (Guns N’ Roses) and bassist Sami Yaffa  (Hanoi Rocks, New York Dolls). Fans who preorder the album will receive  "Hellbound Babies" and "Lucky" instantly.

After multiple EPs, and countless shows under their collective belt, the group released their full-length debut Beat The Devil in 2011. “When I was a kid, music wasn’t something you’d multitask to,” attests Carlyle. “When you heard a song like ‘Black Dog’ for the first time, you’d drop everything you were doing and just listen to it. But a lot of today’s music seems like sonic wallpaper. There’s nothing intrusive or memorable about it, and most of it sounds really polite. We’re definitely not going for that.

“Lucky”, the first single off Dirty Fun, is layered with roots-y guitar interplay, honky-tonk piano and a soaring horn section, and is a fitting introduction to the album’s ragged glory. “A lot of our early songs were about being down and out,” says Carlyle. “This time around, I wanted to write something more positive. The Rolling Stones have ‘Happy’, so I guess ‘Lucky’ is The Compulsions’ feel-good song.”

Other highlights on Dirty Fun include “House Of Rock”, which paints a vivid picture of the seedy musical underworld that inspired the album, while opener “Hellbound Babies”, punctuated by unholy harmonica, blazing guitars and a chorus of soul sisters, spawned the album title. “Sonically, that song’s got everything on it but the kitchen sink,” Carlyle smiles. “The lyrics are about a band that refuses to quit, even though they’re going broke.” The Compulsions pay homage to one of rock ‘n’ roll’s earliest and most iconic heroes with a cover of Little Richard’s 1956 classic “Long Tall Sally”. But this isn’t a typical bar band version. Carlyle & Co. updates “Sally” with a raunchier edge and a whopping kick up the ass that lands the tune squarely in the 21st century.

Dirty Fun tracklisting:

“Hellbound Babies”
“Silly Little Woman”
“Evil Bastards”
“Lucky”
“House Of Rock”
“Long Tall Sally”
“The Feel”
“I Still Got The Hots For You, Baby”
“Stay Eazy”
“Buzz Awhile”

Album teaser: