Is it fair to call Americana trio The CarLeans an offshoot of The Hoolios?

Is it more accurate to call The Hoolios the “Oh, yeah, the Jim Carpenter band BEFORE The CarLeans”?

Optimally, let’s remember they’re two distinct units with overlapping personnel and, sometimes, material. Both are excellent bands, but today’s focus will be on the CarLeans because they’re celebrating a new CD, “Melodrama,” with a performance Friday in Westerly’s Knickerbocker Music Center.

Joining singer-guitarist Carpenter (equally!) in The CarLeans are bassist Corina Malbaurn, singer-guitarist Sarah MacLean and vocalist Rachel MacLean-Sargent. Opening the show is Undercover Cameo.

Copies of “Melodrama” will be available for purchase along with other CarLeans recordings and, if you’re lucky, some of Carpenter’s short story collections.

The CarLeans CD release party, 8 p.m. Friday, doors 7 p.m., The Knick, 300 Railroad Ave., Westerly; $20; knickmusic.com, thecarleans.com.