The Nickel Slots are a local Sacramento-area Americana / alt-country band led by Tony Brusca, known for country-tinged roots rock and a heavy presence in greater Sacramento Valley clubs.[1][2] The band formed in November 2008 in Sacramento, California[3] and remains active as of 2024.[4]
At a glance
- Local Sacramento-region band, described as a "local band" and "local Americana/alt-country group."[1][2]
- Four-piece fronted by band leader Tony Brusca.[1]
- Sammie award-winning act — three SAMMIE Awards for Outstanding Americana/Alt-Country, one for Best Live Performer, and inductees into the SAMMIES Hall of Fame.[1][3]
- Released the 15-song album Five Miles Gone (self-released), a Submerge Top 20 of 2011 pick.[5]
- Released the EP Christmas with The Nickel Slots in early November 2015.[1]
- Opened for Bob Seger and the Silver Bullet Band at Sleep Train Arena in 2015.[1]
- Most recent album Hot Days Cold Nights released November 16, 2024.[4]
Origin and local status
The Nickel Slots are repeatedly identified by Submerge as a local act of the greater Sacramento region. They are called a "local band" whose fans "have been packing clubs around the greater Sacramento Valley,"[1] a "local country-tinged rockers" group,[5] and a "local Americana/alt-country group."[2] These origin cues (rather than mere fame) establish their local status with high confidence.
According to the Davis Music Festival, the band began performing together in November 2008 in Sacramento, California.[3] The band is a four-piece led by Tony Brusca, who is credited as band leader and songwriter.[1] Genre-wise, sources variously describe them as country-tinged rock,[5] Americana / alternative country,[1] Americana / alt-country,[2] and roots rock.[6]
Lineup
The current lineup consists of Tony Brusca (lead vocals, guitar), Steve Amaral (guitar), Christopher Amaral (drums), and Troy Hook (bass).[4] An earlier lineup featured Paul Zinn on bass and mandolin in place of Hook.[7]
Releases
- The Nickel Slots (self-titled debut, 2009) — released September 8, 2009, engineered and mixed by Joe Johnston at Pus Cavern in Sacramento, and mastered by Eric Broyhill at Monster Lab Audio in Sacramento.[7][8]
- Five Miles Gone (self-released) — a 15-song album named to Submerge's Top 20 of 2011, ranked No. 9. Submerge described it as "engaging, memorable songwriting at home in any genre," with "something for every mood."[5]
- Christmas with The Nickel Slots (EP) — released in early November 2015. The four-song collection ranges from pop to country to traditional Christmas fare and includes the Tony Brusca-penned track "A Shot and a Beer for Christmas."[1]
- Hot Days Cold Nights — released November 16, 2024, engineered, mixed, and mastered by Joe Johnston at Pus Cavern in Sacramento, confirming the band remains active well past 2016.[4][9]
Awards and recognition
The Nickel Slots have won three SAMMIE Awards for Outstanding Americana/Alt-Country and one SAMMIE for Best Live Performer, and have been inducted into the SAMMIES Hall of Fame.[3] Their debut music video for "The Devil's Chain Gang" won Best US Music Video at the 2015 American Online Film Awards and two awards at the 2013 Sacramento Film and Music Festival, according to the Davis Music Festival.[3]
Touring
According to the Davis Music Festival, The Nickel Slots have toured Europe four times, including headlining a night of The Green Escape music festival in France in 2018.[3]
Notable shows and scene presence
The Nickel Slots performed across a range of Sacramento-area venues and recurring events over the span of the sources:
- A Mustache Bash at Shady Lady on March 31, 2011, tied to Anthony's Barber Shop's third annual Mustache March competition, performing alongside The Secretions.[10]
- The ZuhG Life Store's second-anniversary all-ages concert at the Downtown Plaza on Nov. 10, 2012, alongside acts including Dylan Crawford, Awkward Lemon and Adrian Bellue.[11]
- The 23rd annual Friday Night Concerts in the Park series kickoff at Cesar Chavez Plaza on May 2, 2014, supporting headliner ZuhG alongside local funk band IdeaTeam.[2]
- The 2015 Concerts in the Park series, appearing on the July 10 bill at Cesar Chavez Plaza with The Soft White Sixties, Justin Farren and others.[12]
- Rock Me Naughty 2 at The Powerhouse Pub in Folsom on Dec. 19, 2015, with The Infamous Swanks and Jitterbug Riot.[1]
- Opening Ideateam's CD release party for Moving Still at Harlow's on Oct. 28, 2016, described as "roots rock aficionados."[6]
They also notably landed a slot opening for Bob Seger and the Silver Bullet Band at Sleep Train Arena in 2015, a significant step up from club-level billing.[1]