Robert Jon & The Wreck are back and ready to tear up the UK and Europe all over again with their new record, “Shine A Light On Me Brother”. The impressive new album, written and recorded during the COVID pandemic, and self-produced by Robert Jon & The Wreck, will be released on Friday September 3rd, 2021.
The title track “Shine A Light On Me Brother”, will be released as a single on Friday June 25th. Pre-save the single on Spotify and pre-order the album here.
Watch the official trailer for the forthcoming single below.
Robert Jon & The Wreck is comprised of Robert Jon Burrison (lead vocals, guitar), Andrew Espantman (drums, b. vocals), Steve Maggiora (keyboards, b. vocals), Henry James (lead guitar, b. vocals), and Warren Murrel (bass, b. vocals).
Robert Jon & The Wreck will take the new album on tour in September/October 2021 and February, April, May, June, and July 2022. The tour will hit the UK in September with special guest Troy Redfern. Tickets for the UK dates are available from here and here.
“Shine A Light On Me Brother” will be available on CD, Vinyl, limited Deluxe Vinyl (coloured) and in limited edition bundles – including a deluxe bundle including the Signed Deluxe Edition Vinyl, Ltd Edition T-shirt, signed CD, Ltd Edition retro California vanity plates, and signed Ltd Edition photos of Robert Jon & The Wreck.
Robert Jon & The Wreck have supported the likes of Joe Bonamassa, Buddy Guy, Eric Gales, Living Colour, Chris Robinson Brotherhood, Walter Trout, Rival Sons, Robert Randolph & The Family Band, Lukas Nelson & Promise of the Real, The Cadillac Three, Black Stone Cherry, Devon Allman Band, Billy Sheehan, Sturgill Simpson, and many more.
Robert Jon & The Wreck has been writing songs and releasing albums since the band’s conception in 2011. During this time, this quintet of follicular proficient gentlemen has been busy fine-tuning their sound playing to packed houses across Europe and the United States.
The band have received accolades and rave reviews for years now, from nominations of “Best Rock” and “Best Blues” and winning the title of “Best Live Band” at the Orange County Music Awards in 2013, to numerous top 10 chart placement on Southern Rock Brazil’s Top 20 Albums to being praised as “Classic and fresh at the same time” by Rock The Best Music, “Raising the bar for the Southern genre” by Blues Rock Review, and “keeping the history of classic 60’s and 70’s rock alive for newer generations” by blues guitar legend Joe Bonamassa.
Tracklist:
1. Shine A Light On Me Brother
2. Everyday
3. Ain’t No Young Love Song
4. Chicago
5. Hurricane
6. Desert Sun
7. Movin’
8. Anna Maria
9. Brother
10. Radio
Album Credits:
Music & Lyrics by Robert Jon & The Wreck
(Robert Jon Burrison, Andrew Espantman, Steve Maggiora, Henry James, Warren Murrel)
as well as Ian Cullen (tracks 1, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 9, 10), Nick Foster (track 7) and Josh Weathers (track 7)
Published By: Robert Jon Music (ASCAP)
Lead Vocals, Rhythm Guitar: Robert Jon Burrison
Drums, Background Vocals: Andrew Espantman
Keyboards, Background Vocals: Steve Maggiora
Lead Guitar, Background Vocals: Henry James
Bass, Background Vocals: Warren Murrel
Produced by Robert Jon & The Wreck
Co-Produced by Jeff Frickman
Recorded and Mixed by Jeff Frickman at Sonic Groove Studio, Burbank, CA
Mastered by Mike Fossenkemper at Turtle Tone Studio, New York, NY
Track by Track:
1. Shine A Light On Me Brother
“Shine A Light On Me Brother” is the title track from our new studio album. It is a hard kick of rock and roll mixed with the gospel roots that the band grew up on. “Shine A Light On Me Brother” deals with the obstacles, hurdles, and hardships brought on by 2020, while keeping a positive perspective of moving past the pandemic and challenges that all of us in every culture have faced and crying out with hope to be “saved” by the new year. It cries a soulful hope of normalcy that we’ve all been missing for far too long. This song is also the first single from the new album.
2. Everyday
This is an all-out good-time jam track that was born out of frustration due to lack of freedoms that we had grown used to pre-pandemic and were subsequently denied during lockdown. It speaks to the desire to get together with friends, play music, have some beers, and just spend time with each other in person again. This track, as well as “Shine A Light On Me Brother”, “Ain’t No Young Love Song”, “Chicago”, “Movin’” and Brother feature additional background vocals from the all-star team from Australia - Mahalia Barnes, Juanita Tippins, and Prinnie Stevens. Together with Henry James’ soaring guitar licks and Andrew Espantman’s undeniable groove, this track is one to be listened to on repeat and sung along to!
3. Ain’t No Young Love Song
This is Robert Jon & The Wreck’s love song anthem for a new age. Inspired by the greats that have preceded RJTW, “Ain’t No Young Love Song” is a stand up, straightlaced rock song with a sensitive lyrical style about knowing who you want to spend your life with and who you want to fight for. No doubt this track will be on a radio station near you in the very near future.
4. Chicago
Every relationship goes through trial and error; sometimes it works and sometimes the love that you cherish moves halfway across the country. “Chicago” is a classic song about love and loss, but also sides with the hope that one day both parties with be okay, no matter if separate or together. This song, as well as “Shine A Light On Me Brother” feature the 504 Horns from New Orleans, LA that provide a beautiful sonic landscape to this beautiful song. The heartache and championing of this lost love is made apparent in the emotional lyrics, at times asking the very city of “Chicago” itself to “look after her when I’m gone” and to “keep her warm”.
5. Hurricane
“Hurricane” is an acoustic ballad that deals with the struggle of loving someone who is a beautiful mess. The song asks the question, if the relationship’s timing were different, could it all have worked out with a better outcome? Good friend of the band and co-writer of “Oh Miss Carolina”, as well as many songs on this album, Ian Cullen was a crucial part of this humbling ballad. The minimal arrangement makes this track stand out as an emotional and integral piece of the sonic tapestry of this album.
6. Desert Sun
“Desert Sun” is a tune straight out of guitarist Henry James’ songbook. This lyric driven song touches on personal experiences that deal with unrequited love and a lot of uncertainty. Written from a place of uninhibited honesty during an unresolved situation, and eventually realizing that resolution and closure are in fact not commonplace and very rarely guaranteed. The honesty in Henry’s lyrics also speak to our own faults for not heeding warning signs or recognising patterns from previous experiences. Henry had been playing it acoustically for some time and when the song was presented in the writing room, it was the band’s unanimous decision to include it on the album.
7. Movin’
The song starts off with a guitar-driven riff that provides a foundation for the whole song, with its psychedelic droning presence permeating through the entire track. This song is the hidden gem of this record. Co-writers Nick Foster and Josh Weathers help tell the story of being in a relationship slump, where moving forward is the only viable option. It asks the question, “When we’re are always fighting, how can our love shine through?” It is a simple message brought to light with dazzling guitar lines and a groovin’ chorus that puts you in a trance.
8. Anna Maria
“Anna Maria” started off as what was thought to be an acoustic track. It found its own path once the band made the decision to plug in and make it more aggressive. This track provides soaring vocals and piano driven lines. It tells the story of a relationship that was doomed for some time, where the offended party offers straightforward, honest, and emotional lyrics defending their position and calls the aggressor out for being “so cruel”.
9. Brother
“Brother” is a gut-wrenching story of experiences dealing with loved ones exhibiting mental health problems. We all know someone that may be struggling with mental illness. We wanted to shine a light on this topic in an honest yet positive way. This is the true story of someone very close to the band that has been living with this for some time, and we feel that the song, both lyrically and musically, was executed in a beautiful and poignant way, reassuring our loved one that their “muses haven’t given up”. With the imagery of the lyrical line “The house burns slowly on a Friday night” brought to life by Henry James’ transcendent guitar solo, you can almost palpably feel like you are in that actual burning house. This track is bound to set fire in the hearts of all who can relate.
10. Radio
The last song on this record, “Radio”, is one that you can just sit back and enjoy. A fun-filled, wild track that on first listen might speak to the listener as a song about a relationship with a crazy person, when in fact it is the story of every young musician’s battle with the music industry. It speaks to the struggle of “Miss Hollywood” consistently swooping in, sucking them in and spitting them out until they’ve had enough, and are relinquished to try and get away from it all. At some point, every road leads back to “Miss Hollywood”, and we couldn’t think of a better way to wrap up the album than with this barn burner of a track that will undoubtedly leave you singing along.
UK Tour Dates 2021:
Thursday 16th September 2021 - Cardiff, The Globe
Friday 17th September 2021 - Sittingbourne, The Bourne Music Club
Saturday 18th September 2021 - Chester, Live Rooms
Sunday 19th September 2021 - Leeds, Brudenell Social Club
Monday 20th September 2021 - Newcastle, The Cluny
Tuesday 21st September 2021 - Manchester, Night & Day
Wednesday 22nd September 2021 - Nottingham, The Bodega
Thursday 23rd September 2021 - London, The 100 Club
Friday 24th September 2021 - Edinburgh, Voodoo Rooms
Saturday 25th September 2021 - Aberdeen, Cafe Drummond
Sunday 26th September 2021 - Hartlepool, South Durham Steel Works Club
Weblinks:
robertjonandthewreck.com
www.facebook.com/robertjonandthewreck
The title track “Shine A Light On Me Brother”, will be released as a single on Friday June 25th. Pre-save the single on Spotify and pre-order the album here.
Watch the official trailer for the forthcoming single below.
Robert Jon & The Wreck is comprised of Robert Jon Burrison (lead vocals, guitar), Andrew Espantman (drums, b. vocals), Steve Maggiora (keyboards, b. vocals), Henry James (lead guitar, b. vocals), and Warren Murrel (bass, b. vocals).
Robert Jon & The Wreck will take the new album on tour in September/October 2021 and February, April, May, June, and July 2022. The tour will hit the UK in September with special guest Troy Redfern. Tickets for the UK dates are available from here and here.
“Shine A Light On Me Brother” will be available on CD, Vinyl, limited Deluxe Vinyl (coloured) and in limited edition bundles – including a deluxe bundle including the Signed Deluxe Edition Vinyl, Ltd Edition T-shirt, signed CD, Ltd Edition retro California vanity plates, and signed Ltd Edition photos of Robert Jon & The Wreck.
Robert Jon & The Wreck have supported the likes of Joe Bonamassa, Buddy Guy, Eric Gales, Living Colour, Chris Robinson Brotherhood, Walter Trout, Rival Sons, Robert Randolph & The Family Band, Lukas Nelson & Promise of the Real, The Cadillac Three, Black Stone Cherry, Devon Allman Band, Billy Sheehan, Sturgill Simpson, and many more.
Robert Jon & The Wreck has been writing songs and releasing albums since the band’s conception in 2011. During this time, this quintet of follicular proficient gentlemen has been busy fine-tuning their sound playing to packed houses across Europe and the United States.
The band have received accolades and rave reviews for years now, from nominations of “Best Rock” and “Best Blues” and winning the title of “Best Live Band” at the Orange County Music Awards in 2013, to numerous top 10 chart placement on Southern Rock Brazil’s Top 20 Albums to being praised as “Classic and fresh at the same time” by Rock The Best Music, “Raising the bar for the Southern genre” by Blues Rock Review, and “keeping the history of classic 60’s and 70’s rock alive for newer generations” by blues guitar legend Joe Bonamassa.
Tracklist:
1. Shine A Light On Me Brother
2. Everyday
3. Ain’t No Young Love Song
4. Chicago
5. Hurricane
6. Desert Sun
7. Movin’
8. Anna Maria
9. Brother
10. Radio
Album Credits:
Music & Lyrics by Robert Jon & The Wreck
(Robert Jon Burrison, Andrew Espantman, Steve Maggiora, Henry James, Warren Murrel)
as well as Ian Cullen (tracks 1, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 9, 10), Nick Foster (track 7) and Josh Weathers (track 7)
Published By: Robert Jon Music (ASCAP)
Lead Vocals, Rhythm Guitar: Robert Jon Burrison
Drums, Background Vocals: Andrew Espantman
Keyboards, Background Vocals: Steve Maggiora
Lead Guitar, Background Vocals: Henry James
Bass, Background Vocals: Warren Murrel
Produced by Robert Jon & The Wreck
Co-Produced by Jeff Frickman
Recorded and Mixed by Jeff Frickman at Sonic Groove Studio, Burbank, CA
Mastered by Mike Fossenkemper at Turtle Tone Studio, New York, NY
Track by Track:
1. Shine A Light On Me Brother
“Shine A Light On Me Brother” is the title track from our new studio album. It is a hard kick of rock and roll mixed with the gospel roots that the band grew up on. “Shine A Light On Me Brother” deals with the obstacles, hurdles, and hardships brought on by 2020, while keeping a positive perspective of moving past the pandemic and challenges that all of us in every culture have faced and crying out with hope to be “saved” by the new year. It cries a soulful hope of normalcy that we’ve all been missing for far too long. This song is also the first single from the new album.
2. Everyday
This is an all-out good-time jam track that was born out of frustration due to lack of freedoms that we had grown used to pre-pandemic and were subsequently denied during lockdown. It speaks to the desire to get together with friends, play music, have some beers, and just spend time with each other in person again. This track, as well as “Shine A Light On Me Brother”, “Ain’t No Young Love Song”, “Chicago”, “Movin’” and Brother feature additional background vocals from the all-star team from Australia - Mahalia Barnes, Juanita Tippins, and Prinnie Stevens. Together with Henry James’ soaring guitar licks and Andrew Espantman’s undeniable groove, this track is one to be listened to on repeat and sung along to!
3. Ain’t No Young Love Song
This is Robert Jon & The Wreck’s love song anthem for a new age. Inspired by the greats that have preceded RJTW, “Ain’t No Young Love Song” is a stand up, straightlaced rock song with a sensitive lyrical style about knowing who you want to spend your life with and who you want to fight for. No doubt this track will be on a radio station near you in the very near future.
4. Chicago
Every relationship goes through trial and error; sometimes it works and sometimes the love that you cherish moves halfway across the country. “Chicago” is a classic song about love and loss, but also sides with the hope that one day both parties with be okay, no matter if separate or together. This song, as well as “Shine A Light On Me Brother” feature the 504 Horns from New Orleans, LA that provide a beautiful sonic landscape to this beautiful song. The heartache and championing of this lost love is made apparent in the emotional lyrics, at times asking the very city of “Chicago” itself to “look after her when I’m gone” and to “keep her warm”.
5. Hurricane
“Hurricane” is an acoustic ballad that deals with the struggle of loving someone who is a beautiful mess. The song asks the question, if the relationship’s timing were different, could it all have worked out with a better outcome? Good friend of the band and co-writer of “Oh Miss Carolina”, as well as many songs on this album, Ian Cullen was a crucial part of this humbling ballad. The minimal arrangement makes this track stand out as an emotional and integral piece of the sonic tapestry of this album.
6. Desert Sun
“Desert Sun” is a tune straight out of guitarist Henry James’ songbook. This lyric driven song touches on personal experiences that deal with unrequited love and a lot of uncertainty. Written from a place of uninhibited honesty during an unresolved situation, and eventually realizing that resolution and closure are in fact not commonplace and very rarely guaranteed. The honesty in Henry’s lyrics also speak to our own faults for not heeding warning signs or recognising patterns from previous experiences. Henry had been playing it acoustically for some time and when the song was presented in the writing room, it was the band’s unanimous decision to include it on the album.
7. Movin’
The song starts off with a guitar-driven riff that provides a foundation for the whole song, with its psychedelic droning presence permeating through the entire track. This song is the hidden gem of this record. Co-writers Nick Foster and Josh Weathers help tell the story of being in a relationship slump, where moving forward is the only viable option. It asks the question, “When we’re are always fighting, how can our love shine through?” It is a simple message brought to light with dazzling guitar lines and a groovin’ chorus that puts you in a trance.
8. Anna Maria
“Anna Maria” started off as what was thought to be an acoustic track. It found its own path once the band made the decision to plug in and make it more aggressive. This track provides soaring vocals and piano driven lines. It tells the story of a relationship that was doomed for some time, where the offended party offers straightforward, honest, and emotional lyrics defending their position and calls the aggressor out for being “so cruel”.
9. Brother
“Brother” is a gut-wrenching story of experiences dealing with loved ones exhibiting mental health problems. We all know someone that may be struggling with mental illness. We wanted to shine a light on this topic in an honest yet positive way. This is the true story of someone very close to the band that has been living with this for some time, and we feel that the song, both lyrically and musically, was executed in a beautiful and poignant way, reassuring our loved one that their “muses haven’t given up”. With the imagery of the lyrical line “The house burns slowly on a Friday night” brought to life by Henry James’ transcendent guitar solo, you can almost palpably feel like you are in that actual burning house. This track is bound to set fire in the hearts of all who can relate.
10. Radio
The last song on this record, “Radio”, is one that you can just sit back and enjoy. A fun-filled, wild track that on first listen might speak to the listener as a song about a relationship with a crazy person, when in fact it is the story of every young musician’s battle with the music industry. It speaks to the struggle of “Miss Hollywood” consistently swooping in, sucking them in and spitting them out until they’ve had enough, and are relinquished to try and get away from it all. At some point, every road leads back to “Miss Hollywood”, and we couldn’t think of a better way to wrap up the album than with this barn burner of a track that will undoubtedly leave you singing along.
UK Tour Dates 2021:
Thursday 16th September 2021 - Cardiff, The Globe
Friday 17th September 2021 - Sittingbourne, The Bourne Music Club
Saturday 18th September 2021 - Chester, Live Rooms
Sunday 19th September 2021 - Leeds, Brudenell Social Club
Monday 20th September 2021 - Newcastle, The Cluny
Tuesday 21st September 2021 - Manchester, Night & Day
Wednesday 22nd September 2021 - Nottingham, The Bodega
Thursday 23rd September 2021 - London, The 100 Club
Friday 24th September 2021 - Edinburgh, Voodoo Rooms
Saturday 25th September 2021 - Aberdeen, Cafe Drummond
Sunday 26th September 2021 - Hartlepool, South Durham Steel Works Club
Weblinks:
robertjonandthewreck.com
www.facebook.com/robertjonandthewreck