�This is a rock �n �roll album . . . if that means anything to anyone anymore,� says Scott Kempner of his forthcoming album Saving Grace (00:02:59 Records, street date June 10, 2008). �It sure as hell means something to me!� Kempner�s rock �n� roll career dates back 30 years to his stint as co-founder of The Dictators (when he was known as �Top 10�) and later the Del-Lords, who in turn inspired the comeback of Dion, with whom Kempner recorded as the Little Kings. That�s a lot to look back on � and Kempner can reminisce with the best of �em � but he is squarely focused on the present and the future.

�This album is the first record in my career that I feel 100% about,� says the South Bronx native, who was born the year Elvis Presley recorded his first Sun Records single. �It�s who I am, for better or worse.� The album, his first solo work since 1992�s Tenement Angels (which featured Springfield, Mo.�s mighty Skeletons), includes no other guitarists � Kempner plays all parts. However, he did surround himself with an array of kindred musicians: Del-Lords drummer Frank Funaro, Smithereens bassist Mike Mesaros, Chris and Mike Russo, Chris Amplo, and last but not least Dion, with whom he sings �Heartbeat of Time.� Recorded mainly at Coyote Studios in Brooklyn�s Williamsburg district, Saving Grace was co-produced by Kempner and Mike Caiati.