J.C. and the Dirty Smokers

J.C. and the Dirty Smokers play classic old-school outlaw-style country, characterized by covers of Johnny Cash (“Orange Blossom Special”) and George Strait (“Amarillo by Morning”) and a dozen or so original tunes with bouncing bass lines, weepy steel guitar, and tales of heartache, booze, and backwoods mischief. The originals range from the barrelling Bakersfield train roll of “Bottles” to the mournful “In Spite of Myself,” with the fiery “Year of the Gun” serving as a showcase for the band’s instrumental chops. (Matthew Everett)