Reggae-rocking local favorite Wasted Noise is readying to release its first full-length album on Friday at Casa Sorrento. The popular Salinas band has been together since 2005 but when they’ve inched close to dropping an LP in the past, an obstacle seemed to halt production. Last time it was a bun in the oven.


“When we came close to making an album before, our lead singer left to hang out more with his family and newborn baby,” says rhythm guitarist Hector Hurtado.


The band brought on Kyle Dunn – whose longtime reggae background was a perfect fit – to fulfill the lead singer role as well as take on some of the songwriting duties (with Hurtado). They’ve also gone through a list of drummers before snagging Alex Cortez, their fourth and most current, whose metal background brings a little Lars Ulrich aggression to the reggae vibe. Following the personnel changes they took a little time to get to know one another and emerged tuned to cut a first record.


The 10-track LP, titled The Barn Sessions, was recorded in – you guessed it – a rustic barn off Old Stage Road in Salinas (the barn doors are featured on the album cover). Hurtado says that recording in a barn wasn’t a gimmicky, keep-it-real move – it was merely the most economically viable way to go since it didn’t cost anything. Best of all the recording came out crisp and expertly mixed.


Even with all the lineup changes, the outfit still yields the same sound they started out with years ago. The inspiration for the songs on The Barn Sessions is a concerted effort to enjoy everything in life as much as possible.


“High Grade,” Wasted Noise’s blatant ode to ganja – one of the things that apparently helps them enjoy everything – is a roots-rock-reggae-driven anthem compiled of island rhythms, marijuana euphemisms and sexy guitar riffs that will leave you with a smile on your face almost as big as those on the guys playing the music. 


WASTED NOISE performs 9pm Friday, June 1, at Casa Sorrento, 393 Salinas St., Salinas. Free. 757-2720.