Acclaimed L.A. Rockers A LA CARTE Release First And Only Album After Four Decades

December 25, 2017

Popular late '70s/early '80s Southern California band A LA CARTE has released its first album after being together on and off for over 40 years. The notorious power trio of KK Martin (guitar/vocals),Craig Miller (bass/vocals) and Brian O'Brian (drums),still has a large following of fans. With their unique sound, they distinguished themselves from the rest of the rock bands coming out of that era of music.

According to DOKKEN/LYNCH MOB guitar wizard George Lynch, "A LA CARTE was like ZZ TOP meets 'The Rocky Horror Picture Show'; they were the nastiest blues-rock bunch of guys... it was theater at the same time."

Founded in 1976, A LA CARTE had outrageous stage attire, high-energy showmanship, dual lead vocals and superb musicianship. They created a following that remains fiercely loyal to this day and this CD release is their first and only album, as they ceased performing in 1984.

So why release an album after all this time? Journalist/filmmaker Bob Nalbandian ("Inside Metal: Pioneers Of L.A. Hard Rock And Metal") had an advanced listening and said: "It was damn well worth the wait! Awesome production, fantastic performances and great song selection from their original live repertoire. This is classic A LA CARTE! Nearly a half a century later, the three original members of A LA CARTE haven't missed a beat...These guys totally nailed it!"

This new release reflects very new recordings of songs that were written between 1976 and 1979. The record is a no-frills representation of the way A LA CARTE sounded during that wonderful era, designed to please old friends, and hopefully make a few new ones.

The album is titled "A La Carte Est. 1976" and opens with one of the band's best-known songs "Old #7", a ferocious boogie that sings the praises of Tennessee whiskey. Next, "No Tell Motel" tells the tale of a chance encounter with a sultry damsel that leads to an ill-advised rendezvous at a disreputable establishment. "Ride Of Your Life" and "Hard Line" lock in the band's relentless groove, followed by "Pink On The Inside", described by the band (untruthfully) as an ode to a tomato omelet. "Leave The Back Door Open" leads off with one of rock music's most unforgiving guitar riffs, detailing the risks from heavy fisted husbands and unchained bulldogs in the pursuit of illicit midnight affairs. "Where Angels Dwell", with its psychedelic syncopated thrust, assures the listener that a woman's love can be transformative. "Since You've Been Gone" shows the angry, heartbroken side of guitarist KK Martin's considerable arsenal, while "Help Yourself" is the missing piece, a life affirming-anthem of self-determination.

The album closes with the unexpected instrumental "Ace", all thunder and bombast, a celebratory slice of pop-Motown acid-funk mayhem.

The album was produced by Ron Sandoval who likes to keep his resume a secret, but claims to be unwilling to work on any project that he is "not totally in love with." Members of the band say he has the best ears of any producer they have ever worked with.

Legendary extreme metal drummer Gene Hoglan (TESTAMENT, DETHKLOK, STRAPPING YOUNG LAD, DEATH, DARK ANGEL) said: "A LA CARTE helped mold my teenage rock sensibilities, as they were the most entertaining, explosive three-piece in L.A. Their powerhouse boogie and blues were an absolute influence on the entire L.A. scene, and lemme tell ya, I've made no bones about their obscenely-talented drummer Brian O'Brian's complete influence on my entire life. From ZZ TOP's swagger to THE ISLEY BROTHERS' strut, like rolling a stone down a mountain, A LA CARTE has all bases of boogie covered, and their rock is timeless and ageless. Bow and thank the rock gods for A LA CARTE. I know I do."

The album can be purchased at www.alacarte.rocks.

Find more on
  • facebook
  • twitter
  • reddit
  • email

Comments Disclaimer And Information

BLABBERMOUTH.NET uses the Facebook Comments plugin to let people comment on content on the site using their Facebook account. The comments reside on Facebook servers and are not stored on BLABBERMOUTH.NET. To comment on a BLABBERMOUTH.NET story or review, you must be logged in to an active personal account on Facebook. Once you're logged in, you will be able to comment. User comments or postings do not reflect the viewpoint of BLABBERMOUTH.NET and BLABBERMOUTH.NET does not endorse, or guarantee the accuracy of, any user comment. To report spam or any abusive, obscene, defamatory, racist, homophobic or threatening comments, or anything that may violate any applicable laws, use the "Report to Facebook" and "Mark as spam" links that appear next to the comments themselves. To do so, click the downward arrow on the top-right corner of the Facebook comment (the arrow is invisible until you roll over it) and select the appropriate action. You can also send an e-mail to blabbermouthinbox(@)gmail.com with pertinent details. BLABBERMOUTH.NET reserves the right to "hide" comments that may be considered offensive, illegal or inappropriate and to "ban" users that violate the site's Terms Of Service. Hidden comments will still appear to the user and to the user's Facebook friends. If a new comment is published from a "banned" user or contains a blacklisted word, this comment will automatically have limited visibility (the "banned" user's comments will only be visible to the user and the user's Facebook friends).