Robert Jon & The Wreck – Live – St Luke’s & The Winged Ox

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Review By Darren McIntyre photos by Scott Anderson

Robert Jon & The Wreck are a blues rock 5 piece hailing from Orange County, Southern California who have been riding on the crest of a wave at the minute, sold out European tours, award winning live album that has seen them gather new fans from far &and wide. The boys are one of the hardest working rock n roll bands on the scene at the minute and have been touring constantly throughout Europe / USA and beyond, the boys brought us singles Worried Mind, Give Love, Down No More, Ballad Of A Broken Hearted Man from their soon to be released new album Red Moon Rising due for release June 28th, the boys dropped track 12(bonus track) Hate To See You Go and follow that up with the last single release Rager from their colossal new album. The boys have let the dust settle on the new album and dropped a stand alone single Point Of View which will be getting a playthrough when they bring their high octane rock n roll show to Glasgow tonight, the place is filling up nicely as the lights dim and the boys stroll onto the hallowed St Luke’s stage to a heroes welcome and take the applause as they roll into –

Hold On – A pounding snare drum / bass kick gets this killer blues soaked night off the ground as Henry James and Robert Jon step forward and let their guitars do the talking. We have real gravelly sludgy vocals that fill this iconic venue as the boys come together and really let us have it with a foot stomping beat that just puts a smile on our faces, the funking bassline is wrapping itself around us as Warren wearing his trademark sunglasses really brings the heat that lets this track break free. The rhythm section is pounding away at the back of the room as Andrew controls the groove as the opening track really kicks in the doors as a cool keys section works so well with this arrangement as Jake brings a bluesy tone that really wets our appetites as we stroll into –

Rager – The beast is set loose and from the off brings a sludgy guitar riffed intro that is wrapped in colossal bass grooves that instantly get you up on your feet with it’s funky beat. The rhythm section is hitting us with punchy snare drum beats as the cymbal crashes let the groove grow and allow this track to punch us straight in the face with it’s gritty riffs and cool punchy tones. Robert unleashes his gravelly vocals that just elevate this bad boy to another level as we just feel the intense full on beats that are coming for us, the cool Hammond style keys are just insane as Jake cuts loose and really gives this track some fire. Henry steps up and unleashes hell with a slick, crisp solo that just intensifies with every chord that is thrown our way, this is a real change of pace for the boys as they just dig deep and unleash all kinds of hell in this epic piece of music that really gets the crowd going, we stroll into –

Blame It On The Whiskey – The track kicks off with a tinkling of sweet keys that is wrapped in a fuzzy bassline that really gives this track depth and swagger as the boys shift through the gears and let this track sing. Robert brings his soulful vocals to the track as we feel the groove flow effortlessly through Glasgow tonight, the rhythm section is commanding the room with a cool snare drum beat as the bass kicks bring heat to the groove that is laid before us. The twin guitar assault comes at us as Henry James shreds in front of us with crisp, clean licks that flows into the crowd raising their hands and clapping in time to the foot tapping funk groove that is kicking in the doors and letting the boys rock out and really set St Luke’s alight tonight as the boys shift through the gears and really lay it all on the line tonight as we party with the boys from Orange County, we rock into a recent release in the form of –

Red Moon Rising – As the track begins we have Robert Jon tuning his guitar as Andrew brings the groove with a punchy bass / snare beat as the cymbal snaps let the beat roll through St Luke’s tonight. The keys are coming in and they bring a real country style tone as Robert lets his soaring vocals crash through this fist pumping groover as we get down and dirty with the boys, the funking bassline is just dropping epic funk tones all over this gritty pounding monster. The funky groove is getting the crowd whipped up as Henry brings a cool guitar lick that works in perfect harmony with the rhythm section as the mellow synth style keys crash the party and elevate this colossal number to the next level as we got it all going on for sure, a tasty guitar laden beast that incorporates everything these boys stand for as we feel the epic groove wandering efflortlessly through the venue as all I can see is nodding heads that are moving in time with the 5 mofos on stage, I heard a classic comment tonight from a gig goer as she says to her buddy I LOVE THAT LIVED IN / HOMELESS LOOK of Robert Jon it’s just classic, I had to write it and move on as we stroll into –

Point Of View – A kick ass intro that brings us a cool snare drum punch as the bass kicks bring the rhythm section to our attention as the funking bass tones ooze from the stage as the boys give it to us. This is a real southern style rocker track that just lifts the Glasgow crowd tonight as the boys shift it up a gear with this blues / country rocker that ticks all the boxes for sure, the killer keys that Jake is hitting us with are just awesome as it brings a real honky tonk feel to the track as the boys come with a real kick ass feeling for us tonight. The gravelly country soaked vocals are just hitting us and letting us know how good these boys really are as they keep bringing the heat with their killer tone, groove and killer vocals that just keep building and building, we roll into the classic –

Waiting For Your Man – A drum style solo roars at us from the back of the room as Andrew sets out his stall and gets busy hustling with a cool groove that sets up this classic track to be hit right outta the park. Bass kicks are filling the air as the thundering snare drum beats let this track breathe as Henry James kicks things of with a crunching guitar lick that has depth, swagger and bags of attitude, the cool, dark melodic bassline is hitting us with a real wall of groove that gives this track soul as Robert Jon comes armed with his killer vocals that are abely backed by the boys as this awesome groover track brings us a real sludgy guitar lick that ticks all the boxes for sure, the place is clapping loudly, swaying along with the boys as they raise the tempo and give it all they have for sure. These guys are the hardest working band out there at the minute and you can see why as they deliver hit after hit that just wets our appetites for what is to come as they drop into –

Don’t Let Me Go – Henry James steps forward and hits us with a real slick slide guitar intro as this groover comes at us with real guts as the boys hit us with a classic setlist that gets better with each track. The killer bassline is oozing depth as Warren really drops the hammer with his awesome grooves that are letting this track breathe, the backing vocals are giving the track depth as the track sizzles with real depth and swagger as the tempo grips us with ease as theboys really dig deep and do what they do best. The rhythm section is pounding away at the back of the room as the song builds and builds as the layers are peeled away and give us a raw, groove that is what these boys are all about let me tell you, we are hurtling through the setlist and flow into –

Do You Remember – A punchy bass drum kick comes at us as the boys chat with the crowd and thank them for coming out as sweet keys are tinkering in the background as this crunching country / blues number makes itself known to us. The cool funking bassline is dropping epic funk grooves all over this classy track as the boys chime in with awesome backing vocals that just makes this track sing, the cool vocals are soaked in that good ol southern California draw that just makes these boys the force they are today. The cool sweet twin guitar salvo is just bringing life to St Luke’s tonight as the boys drive their Orange County juggernaut straight for us as we get a crisp, clean guitar lick that has bags of swagger as Henry James brings the heat to this toe tapping monster that really delivers with ease as the place watches in awe as the boys put us through our paces with a classy blues filled rocker track that takes us straight into –

Oh Miss Carolina – It’s time for a sweet rock ballad as the boys bring this cool track to the set as we feel the emotion pouring from the stage as Robert Jon takes the lead with his soaring bluesy vocals. The slick, clean guitar licks are working so well with the sweet cool keys that are flowing effortlessly through the venue as the place just celebrates these 5 guys that are really sticking it to the man with their no nonsense approach when it comes to playing the blues. The cool dark bassline is taking the track to the next level as we fell the energy pulsing through the venue as the track stops midway through the song to let us sing along and really be part of this epic chorus that is riding through Glasgow tonight as the cool piano style keys lead the way, the boys are really enjoying themselves as they bring the soul to us tonight with this incredible track that just delivers slick clean guitar licks that let the place feel the beat coming at us, up next is –

Ballad Of A Broken Hearted Man – Henry James steps forward and brings the fuzzy riffs that are flowing freely from the stage tonight as the place readies itself for a classy blues ridden track. We are hit with slick keys that are wrapped in a nice cymbal snap intro that brings snare drum beats that let this track open and soar as this toe tapping groover builds and builds as the soulful vocals wrap themselves around us and let us feel the emotion pouring from the boys tonight. Funking bassline is dropping colossal tones that just deliver this track with all the bells and whistles that we have come to know and love the boys for as they up the tempo with this dar, sultry, groove laden number that comes at us with a slick, clean,crisp guitar solo that ticks all the boxes as the boys drive us to the business end of this sold out show that is just something special but we expect nothing less from these boys from Orange County, we stroll into the second last track in the form of –

Cold Night – This is a real classic track that begins with a cool snare drum kick that is held together with a punchy bass kick that really lets this track open and give us the best these boys have. The killer keys are wandering freely through the track as Robert Jon leans in and gives us killer vocals that are just awesome as they bring depth and swagger to this sweet rocker ballad as the track builds with a classy guitar solo as Henry James brings his sensational licks that are just delighting the crowd as we feel the intensity flowing freely through this punchy track as we don’t want tonight’s entertainment to finish as we are really enjoying ourselves as this anthem builds and builds as the rhythm section brings cymbal crashes that accompany the snare drum rolls that are bringing this track together, we can’t forget the tasty bassline that is hitting us with crisp, dark melodic tones that really bring this night to a nice ending as the boys raise a glass and thank us for coming out and making this a sold out show that will most certainly bring these boys back around sometime soon, the boys leave the stage for a few moments as they gather themselves and return to a heros welcome as they bring us the classic ending to this incredible night of blues soaked country groove tracks that are just awesome, last up tonight is the classic –

Last Light On The Highway Pt 1 / Pt 2 – This is just a phenomenal piece of music that brings the very best of the boys as Robert Jon brings us his killer vocals that set the scene of this incredible track. Henry James is letting his fingers do the talking as this awesome piece is unfolding before us in this magical setting that is the perfect place to unleash this incredible arrangement, the track is coming to life as Andrew kicks in with a pounding bass that has cymbal crashes, snare drum punches that really let this track develop as we get a sultry bassline that is hitting us with delicious grooves as a cool piano style key delivers a haunting tempo that really gets the place moving as the boys dig deep and really deliver a thought provoking, power drenched rock n roll classic that is just the perfect way to end a classic night of blues soaked rock n roll that is probably up there with one of the gigs of the year as these boys never fail to deliver. The musicality is just incredible and is brought together by 5 mofos that are at the top of their game as they deliver a faultless performance that just shines.

Robert John &The Wreck –

Robert John Burrison – Vocals / Guitar

Henry James – Lead Guitar / Vocals

Warren Murrel – Bass / Vocals

Jake Abernathie – Keys

Andrew Espantman – Drums

Setlist –

Hold On

Rager

Blame It On The Whiskey

Red Moon Rising

Point Of View