Downtown Sacramento’s Naked Lounge played host to singer-songwriters Russ Rankin and Kevin Seconds on Thursday. Both have stepped away from their bands for the evening to play in a more intimate setting for an undoubtedly smaller crowd.

Roughly 20 people, many of them acquaintances, watched as Rankin played about 10 new songs that fall closer to the style of his previous band, Good Riddance, than his present band Only Crime. Rankin’s solo songs stem from personal heartache and politics, which fit nicely with mid tempo catchy riffs he strums out on hi s electric guitar.

“I have been doing the solo project since March,” Rankin said. “While working on improving the songs and playing as much as possible I am also looking for some label support. Someone who could front recording costs and do minimal advertising is all I want.”

Playing music is not where all of Rankin’s energy goes these days. He works for Apple, skates and surfs his hometown of Santa Cruz and writes a monthly column for AMP Magazine.

Since starting his column in 2002, his writing for AMP has steered away from traditional music content and focuses mainly on politics.

“The Green Party mirrors my own personal beliefs,” Rankin said. “It is the only party that supports a single-payer health care system and is against capital punishment, I would encourage people to look into the Green Party if they voted Democrat an now feel cheated.”

Though Rankin’s solo songs were strummed out alone and electrically, Seconds, lead singer of 7 Seconds, songs are more folk influenced and played on an acoustic guitar with a drummer backing.

Seconds closed out the night to the same intimate crowd who offered a roar of applause after every tune despite the small space.

Rankin said Seconds emailed him about coming out and playing with him. They had never previously met but since Rankin was a fan and was trying to play as much as possible he agreed to the show.

“They (7 Seconds) were a big influence on my world views when I was younger,” said 37-year-old customer service manager Ken Fury. “It’s not just boy’s fun.”

Benjamin Dewey can be reached at [email protected].