 Release:
High Roller Records
13.11.2026
Info:
Multi-instrumentalist Adam Luksetich formed DIRTY TRICKS in Chicago in 2020, before moving to Los Angeles. Inspired by the bands of the early 1980s, Adam sought to bring forth the sound of metal and rock blurring together, oozing up like steam from the streets of the Sunset Strip. To have some kind of audio calling card, Adam quickly recorded four songs and released them as a digital EP under the name of »Bright Lights, Big City« (it was later issued on cassette and CD as well). On this early release, DIRTY TRICKS was a true one-man show, with Adam writing, playing, and recording all instruments himself, including drums.
For the first album »Not Gonna Stop« DIRTY TRICKS have signed a deal with High Roller Records. Once again, as Adam explains, there was little outside help: “I recorded and produced everything on my own. All the guitars, bass, and vocals are recorded at home in my little closet studio. My live guitarists, Alex and Aaron, handled some of the solos and I went to Electrical Audio in Chicago and recorded all the drums for »Not Gonna Stop« in one day with my friend Taylor Hales, who is the studio manager there.”
»Not Gonna Stop« sounds like a pure, old school, feel-good hard rock/metal album with hints to early Def Leppard, Dokken and Guns N´ Roses. “Yes! I would say old school for sure,” agrees Adam. “I was listening to a lot of early 80s heavy metal at the time this record was coming together. Also, the production could probably be classified as ‘old school’ as well. It’s all pretty live and raw. And ‘feel-good’ makes sense to me as well! Not all these songs are feel-good lyrically, but I love a good catchy melody. I always wanted DIRTY TRICKS to be something where you could headbang but also sing along to.”
Asked about the meaning behind the album's simple title, Adam explains he'll never stop writing and playing music. “My earliest memories as a child are all music-based. I listen to all types of music, and that’s important here, I think. Especially if we’re talking about the track ‘Not Gonna Stop’. Which really was my attempt at making a hard rock version of Charlie Rich’s ‘Rollin’ With The Flow’. The line ‘I Still Love Rock ’n’ Roll’ is jacked straight from that Charlie Rich song.” For those that love old school heavy metal rock 'n' roll, from its very roots to the modern day, "Not Gonna Stop" compels all heads to bang and all fists to be raised high!
Recorded at Electrical Audio, Chicago, IL and at Elmwood 316 Studios, Los Angeles, CA from January through August of 2025. Mixed by Taylor Hales. Mastered by Joe Gac.
Tracklist:
1. Not Gonna Stop
2. Driving Through The Dark
3. Hell At Home
4. Deceiver
5. No Respect
6. Lost Again
7. Meet Me At The End
8. Dirty Tricks
Line-up / Live:
Adam Luksetich - Vocals
Alex Kinnerk - Guitar
Aaron Preusch - Guitar
Joey Castle - Bass
Carlos Fregoso - Drums
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