CRX (Photo by Amanda de Cadenet)

Nick Valensi of The Strokes has a new band CRX, and they dropped their debut album only a few short weeks ago. New Skin, released by Columbia, was produced by Josh Homme of Queens of The Stone Age (who also did some great work with Iggy Pop recently).

CRX are touring in support of the album, and they visit U Street Music Hall on Wednesday, Nov. 16. (That’s tomorrow!) Their sound definitely has echoes of garage rock of The Strokes, but it takes a life of its own as a sort of hard power pop.

Check it out for yourself, and watch the official music video for “Ways to Fake It” by CRX on YouTube:

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V8Wq2mO5XyM]

With the band based in Los Angeles, Nick on vocals and guitar is joined by Ralph Alexander (drums), Richie Follin (guitar, keyboard, backing vocals), Jon Safley (bass), and Darian Zahedi (guitar, backing vocals). The gents cite The Cars, Cheap Trick, and Elvis Costello as influences, according to Wikipedia. (I think you can certainly hear that!)

Streets of Laredo and The Gloomies open for CRX. Tickets are available online.

CRX
w/ Streets of Laredo and The Gloomies
U Street Music Hall
Wednesday, Nov. 16
Doors @7pm
$15
All ages