Nickel Slots will rock the house

Check it out

What: The Nickel Slots and Roadhouse 5

When: 7:30 p.m. Saturday, July 23

Where: Woodland Opera House, 340 Second St., Woodland

Tickets: $10 general, $5 children 12 and under; http://www.woodlandoperahouse.org, (530) 666-9617

With influence from early Americana music, as well as a touch of rebellious 1970s punk, The Nickel Slots draw the line that connects Johnny Cash to The Clash. They play a variety of music that spans the sentimental folk tune to the foot-stomping, raucous sing-along.

Their show comes to the Woodland Opera House, 340 Second St. in downtown Woodland, at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, July 23. Tickets are on sale now.

Performing together since November 2008, the band has built a devoted following in their home base of Sacramento. They gained fame when a song from their debut album spent a month in rotation on KWOD 106.5 FM’s Sounds of Sacramento series.

Lead singer and acoustic guitarist Tony Brusca writes songs that tell stories and has a knack for connecting with audiences. Bassist and mandolin player Paul Zinn’s backing vocals add an extra dimension to Brusca’s melodies, and his bass lines just can’t sit still.

Christopher Amaral, The Nickel Slots’ versatile drummer, lays down train beats and adds distinctive power to the band’s sound. His brother and Sammie Award-winning electric guitarist Steve Amaral throws down tasteful licks that dance across the line between rock and country.

Nickel Slots headlined the Sacramento Concerts in the Park Series in June 2010 and toured Northern California and Oregon. They were featured in performances at the California State Fair, the Sacramento Zoo’s Twilight Thursday Rat Rod Car Show, the Yolo County Fair, the Downtown Davis Friday Night Concert Series, a special acoustic set on KPIG radio’s legendary “Please Stand By,” and KMAX-TV’s “Good Day Sacramento.”

The Nickel Slots earned the Sammie Award for Outstanding Country/Americana Band, and are beginning work on their second album.

Also performing in the Woodland Opera House concert is Roadhouse 5. They have performed a variety of music — including country, rock, pop, folk and more — at venues throughout Northern California and beyond. The five-piece ensemble features vocalist Anita Amaral, drummer Dennis Mitchell, bass guitarist Jack Devine, and guitarists/vocalists Doug Thompson and Dennis Amaral.

The Roadhouse 5 song list includes oldies, new and classic country, classic rock, modern pop tunes and folk.

Reserved seats cost $10 for adults and $5 for children 12 and under. Tickets are available at http://www.woodlandoperahouse.org, (530) 666-9617 or at the box office.