Winters Opera House will host the musical group The Nickel Slots on Saturday, April 5.

Just around 2008, as the country wilted into the pits of a recession, four Sacramento-area musicians found themselves at a shared musical crossroads that gave birth to The Nickel Slots. Years later, the band is not only still together, but they’ve become a staple in the local Americana, roots-rock scene. The Nickel Slots have played a steady parade of West Coast shows over the years and toured Europe four times—all while starting families and working day jobs.

Fronted by Tony Brusca, formerly of local pop-punk favorite The Brodys, The Nickel Slots put an Americana spin on anthemic rock ‘n’ roll. In both projects, Brusca writes the bones of his songs on an acoustic guitar. He’s a natural storyteller and can string together an immaculately melodic hook, which is a foundational quality in The Nickel Slots discography.

“I’m a songwriter,” said Brusca. “I wanted to do something different and evolve with my songwriting. With The Nickel Slots, I hit the ground running.”

The band has carved against the grain to create something truly vibrant, routinely carrying three-hour sets on their own with setlists comprised almost entirely of their raucous originals.

“Early on in the band, we consciously made a decision that, for better or worse, we were going to feel a lot more complete playing original music,” Brusca shared.

In February 2019, they celebrated the release of their fourth album, Pack Up All Regrets, at The Palms Playhouse in Winters. It seems only fitting that they return to the same venue, now the home of the Winters Theatre Company. The album rides the line in true Nickel Slots form, bopping from country to rock to Americana to Irish folk.

Brusca also said that they have been playing music for years and they love the journey, the load in, the load out, the recording, and the practicing,g and the shows with thousands of people and the ones with four people in the back of the bar. He shares that ‘when it’s in your blood, and it’s in what you do, you enjoy the entire journey, not just the highs.’ He says that he’s constantly trying to tell stories with lyrics.

Join us at the Winters Opera House on April 5 at 7 p.m. Tickets are $20 presale or $25 at the door To purchase tickets on their website www.winterstheatre.org. For more info, go to winterstheatre@gmail.com or call 530-795-4014.

Learn more about the band and check out upcoming show dates at Thenickelslotsmusic.com.