The Soda Crackers Release Debut Album Celebrating Bakersfield Sound Heritage

The Soda Crackers have released their self-titled debut album, making it available on all streaming platforms and on vinyl records. The six-piece band, describing themselves as "Sun-Fun-Stay-Playboys," recorded the album over approximately a year, completing the process in July 2025. Rhythm guitarist, lead vocalist, and fiddler Zane Adamo, 32, stated that the project was a "Bakersfield" inspired endeavor from start to finish, drawing inspiration from the legendary Bakersfield Sound artists that preceded them. Recording primarily took place at Ecco-Fonic Studio in Northridge, California, under the direction of Southern California traditional Country & Western expert Deke Dickerson. Additional sessions occurred at Angel Cowboy Studio in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, and with Alex Clark in Norman, Oklahoma. Adamo emphasized the band's deliberate pace, noting they wanted to solidify their identity and sound before releasing music. "All the stars aligned these past 11 months or so to put out our first album," Adamo said.

The album features ten songs, including six originals by current and former band members and four covers of artists who influenced The Soda Crackers. Lead guitarist Ben McCarthy wrote two originals, "Don’t Start A Fire" and "Blackboard Boogie." Adamo contributed two originals, "Goin’ Broke, Livin’ Rich" and "Tomorrow’s Used To Be," and re-recorded the band's debut single A-side, "Two-Step Solution." Mixing and mastering were handled by Dickerson at Ecco-Fonic Studio and Kyle Appleton of Appleton Productions. While all tracks are streaming, the band highlights the vinyl format, continuing the tradition of original music on vinyl in Bakersfield, reminiscent of the historic local label Tally Records. The vinyl records are available for purchase online, at Going Underground Records in downtown Bakersfield and Little Tokyo, and at all Soda Crackers shows. Options include a limited edition "Tequila Sunrise" colored vinyl and standard black vinyl, priced at $25 each plus shipping, with autographed and limited edition variants costing $30-$35 online.

An album release party is scheduled for Saturday, December 13, at the Fairfax Grange 570 Dance Hall in Bakersfield. The band will perform songs from the new album along with favorites by influential artists. Adamo expressed hope that fans enjoy the album and attend the show. This release underscores the enduring appeal of the Bakersfield Sound and the cultural significance of vinyl records in preserving musical heritage, offering both contemporary accessibility through streaming and a tangible connection to past traditions. The album's importance lies in its dual approach to music distribution, serving as a bridge between historical authenticity and modern consumption patterns. By consciously embracing both digital streaming and physical vinyl formats, The Soda Crackers demonstrate how regional musical traditions can remain relevant in today's fragmented media landscape. The deliberate recording process and careful selection of studios with expertise in traditional Country & Western music signal a commitment to quality over immediacy, a notable stance in an era of rapid content production. Furthermore, the inclusion of both original compositions and covers of influential artists creates a dialogue between past and present, allowing new listeners to discover foundational sounds while experiencing fresh interpretations. The vinyl release specifically carries cultural weight, as it connects directly to Bakersfield's musical history through local record stores and limited edition pressings, making the music not just an auditory experience but a collectible artifact. This approach matters because it challenges the disposable nature of much contemporary music consumption, instead positioning the album as both entertainment and cultural preservation. The release party at a traditional dance hall further emphasizes the communal aspect of this musical tradition, creating spaces for live interaction that streaming alone cannot replicate. Ultimately, The Soda Crackers' debut represents more than just another album release; it serves as a case study in how artists can honor musical heritage while navigating modern industry realities, ensuring that regional sounds continue to evolve without losing their distinctive character.