Robert Jon & The Wreck – Live – Liquid Rooms

Review By Darren McIntyre Images 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 have given us 8 albums and a bucketload of singles that is gaining them new fans from far and wide. The boys drop their new album Heartbreaks & Last Goodbyes on the 22nd August and to cement their new release the boys are embarking on tours across the UK, Europe and later the USA & beyond, the boys set off a couple of days ago into Europe for a few shows before hot-tailing it to New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Fest before flying back the same day to be here tonight in Auld Reekie to bring the fire to Liquid Rooms to kick off the UK Tour. The place is bursting at the seams as the boys saunter onto the stage to rapturous applause as they launch into –

Devil Is Your Only Friend – A pounding drum beat rings out as this bluesy groove kicks in and we get a slick guitar riff that allows the phenomenal keys to bring this awesome track to life. Vocals slip in and they bring a soulful deep blues vibe that really has this track on point, snare drum punches fill the air as the rhythm section rises and really gives this track some depth. Bass chords are dropping incredible groove beats that mould this incredible opener together, the whole arrangement is a cool funk element that has you stamping your feet and snapping those fingers to this fantastic beat as a slick guitar shred brings this fantastic tune together, Jake is bringing the blues heat on keys and he is having a ball with the audience as he really pulls the tunes out of the bag, we are standing in awe as the boys launch into –

Boss Man – Henry James brings this sludgy blues killer track to life as we feel the energy pouring from the stage as the place is simmering nicely as we welcome a new frack from their killer new album. Robert Jon is holding the crowd in the palm of his hand as we just lose ourselves in this awesome piece of music, the Hammond style keys are bubbling nicely as the boys are giving us a real freat with this sing along track as the boys give us what we came for tonight. The thumping bassline is holding this bad boy together as Warren with his trademark dark glasses smiles widely into the crowd. The sizzling guitar solo is just insane as Henry steps forward and hits us with cool, slick licks that gets the thumbs up from all in attendance tionight, we roll 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 Edinburgh 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 Liquid Rooms 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 –

Ashes In The Snow – A foot stomping rhythm section gets us up and running as the sludgy, sweet guitar licks ooze towards us as a cool bass kick keeps the groove. Robert Jon comes at us with his soulful gritty vocals that just wrap themselves around this toe tapping rock ballad that just gives you goosebumps, the dark brooding bassline is wrapping itself around this awesome piece as you can see the delight on the faces of the crowd as they welcome this fantastic new track. The keys are coming at us and they really elevate the track as the tinkling tones just work so well with the composition that is laid bare before us, Henry steps forward and delivers another awesome solo that has elements of Prince attached to it which is a real compliment, Robert Jon steps up to the mic and thanks us for coming out to party with him & the boys and that draws a huge cheer as we move onto –

Highway – Another cool slick guitar ditty greets us as Andrew brings the heat with a real solid snare drum beat that just gets us all pumped up as the sweet piano notes linger throught the intro. This is a raunchy blues filled rocker track that lets Robert Jon do his thing and really open up this cool monster track that just keeps on giving, the boys are super tight and really are honing their craft and I believe that these boys are STADIUM READY, that’s only my opinion but then again what do I know. The rhythm section is commanding the room as Andrew also in dark shades gives us a real killer groove before Henry steps up and offloads with another blistering solo that just puts a smile on your face, this is another bruiser from the upcoming album that will get us all excited for sure as the boys are kicking ass with these new offerings that are just off the chart, up next –

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 Edinburgh 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 The lead singer dude is just awesome of Robert Jon it’s just classic, I had to write it and move on as we stroll into –

Sittin Pretty – Bluesy keys roll from the stage as we get a thundering rhythm / guitar combo that gets those fists in the air as this rumbling beast introduces itself to Edinburgh tonight. It’s fast, furious, ballsy and full of character as Robert Jon and the boys set fire to Liquid Rooms tonight as we feel the energy ripping through us tonight as this track really gets the pulses racing. A slick, clean guitar solo from Henry James is off the chart awesome as the boys are to coin a quote tonight ‘They are as tight as a tight thing’ , not sure what that meant but again I had to put it in as it made me chuckle. The boys in my opinion are on another level sice I saw them the last time so tonight is just getting warmed up which is good as we roll into –

Long Gone – A sludgy guitar riff opens the track as cymbal snaps let the rhythm section do it’s thing as this awesome blues filled monster hits us right between the eyes as it just kicks in the doors. The keys are rolling effortlessly through the track and give it that real funky, blues feel as Robert just offloads with his signature vocals that are just giving this track a real kick up the ass, the dark full on bassline is wrapping itself around this incredible piece of music that is full of depth, attitude, swagger and so much more. A solid sweet guitar lick is oozing from the stage as Henry James gives it to us straight with fantastic fingerwork that just elevates this track to another level with it’s soulful blues, soothing vocals and incredible musicianship that is outstanding, up next -Pain No More – From the off we get a real sludgy powering guitar riff that just erupts through the intro as the boys continue where they left off as we get a real blues laden filler that just lets us know the boys are back. The keys are just flowing effortlessly through the arrangement as a cool bass kick comes at us with snare drum punches that really get the juices flowing for sure, the vocals ooze from Robert Jon as he gives us a real cool gravelly tone that really gets us stamping our feet to this infectious blues rocker beast that hits us with a slick cool solo that has a real edgy rock feel that combines well with this awesome groove. Funking deep basslines are dropping melodic dark grooves that just wrap themselves around this high octane monster that just kicked in the doors and let us know that these boys are firing on all cylinders, Robert Jon again steps up to the mic and thanks us for making their dream come true as they are allowed to gig throughout the world and do what they do and it’s all thanks to us, this again draws a massive cheer as we stroll into -Glory Bound – Andrew gets proceedings underway with a real dark, heavy snare drum punch as the bass kicks get the groove moving as a slick, crisp guitar riff smashes the doors in and really let’s this colossal blues monster breathe.

A cool meaty bassline drops in and really gives this track some depth as we get slick cool Hammond style keys that really give this track something to shout about, the boys step forward and give us a twin guitar lick that is wrapped in effortless keys that just pop. This is a real sludgy, dark, melodic number that is wrapped in the incredible vocals of Robert Jon as the boys deliver another punch to the face with this incredible number that has the crowd punching the air with sheer joy as the place loses it’s mind with these boys from Orange County, we stroll 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 Edinburgh 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 dark, 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 are treated to an incredible guitar / keys face off as Henry James slices through some incredible notes and has Jake matching him equally in style, face making and musicality, we roll into -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 crescendo 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, the boys take us into -Tired Of Drinking Alone – Cool smooth electric strumming that has awesome picks that flow with ease through this uptempo country influenced track, drums are pounding away and is giving the track direction with snappy snare punches that have tambourine shakes that mix well with the arrangement, slide guitar solo comes in and is throwing out blues notes and awesome harmonies, vocals are of a gritty bluesy nature that are just phenomenal, crisp upbeat bluesy classic country vibes.

I am pleased I made the journey to cover these boys as I would have kicked myself knowing I missed a fantastic gig, next we have -Point Of View – A thundering snare drum kicks things off as killer keys join the party and off we go as the place erupts in a hail of fist pumps and hollering as the boys bring the gig to an end in style. The cool, meaty bassline drops in with a real funky groove that gets the place moving for sure as Robert Jon steps up to the mic and lets his soaring gritty vocals do their thing. The place is rocking and we are just loving these boys as they let rip with classy, melodic solos that just want more from these California boys as they just keep pushing the envelope with their incredible songs that have us all dancing, singing and just having a great time, till next time boys.
I will say that I think these boys are Stadium Ready and that’s a fact.

Robert Jon & The Wreck –

Robert Jon Burrison – Vocals / Guitar

Henry James – Lead Guitar / Vocals

Warren Murrel – Bass / Vocals

Jake Abernathie – Keys

Andrew Espantman – Drums

Setlist –

Devil Is Your Only Friend

Boss Man

Blame It On The Whiskey

Ashes In The Snow

Highway