Rock ‘n’ roll isn’t meant to be background noise. When done right, it grabs you by the throat and demands your full, undivided attention. The independent outfit The Compulsions put rock ‘n’ roll back where it belongs with Dirty Fun, the forthcoming second album from the New York City quartet. Due out April 14th via Compulsions Records, Dirty Fun hits hard with 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). The group will perform a record release show in New York City on Friday, March 27th at Mercury Lounge. Expect more US dates to be announced soon.

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”