Robert Jon &The Wreck Live The Garage Glasgow

Review By Darren McIntyre

Robert Jon & The Wreck are a 5 – piece Southern / Blues / Rock n Roll juggernaut from Orange County, Southern California who came to our attention in 2011, they have been steadily building a loyal fanbase on both sides of the Atlantic with their electrifying shows that capture what these boys are all about. The boys have given us 8 studio albums and a bucketload of singles that have allowed the boys to deliver the best sound to capture our hearts, the heartfelt lyrics, dynamic stage presence and rockin riffs have steadily cemented them as one of the hardest working bands on the circuit today. I consider these boys friends as we have built a nice friendship whilst they have been ripping up the stages both here and in Europe. The boys started their journey in the UK @ Voodoo Rooms then moved onto Oran Mor then upped their game and rocked St Luke’s and tonight they crashland right in the heart of Glasgow @ The Garage, please join me as I take us through this unforgettable night of Orange County Rock n Roll that is certain to bring a smile to your face. The place is rammed to capacity but I am lucky to bag myself a booth upstairs to witness rock n roll greatness unfolding in this hallowed venue, the lights dim and the 5 guys enter the stage like Gladiators ready to take on all comers as they strap on their gear and buckle up as they launch 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 –

Hey Hey Mama – Fuzzy guitar licks are oozing towards us as this cool rocking beast gets the keys treatment to really bring this track to our attention. Keys are handing out the funk element as this crisp classy guitar shredding track pours out with a sweet groove that just excites us so much. Bass chords are handing out deep mellow funk grooves that just elevate this fantastic track to the next level, vocals are sweet with a real soulful vibe that really has us singing at the top of our voices. The crowd are going wild as we catch a glimpse of Henry James throwing out super cool licks that are just holding this audience in the palm of their hands, the crowd are just witnessing emerging stars from these boys from Orange County as they up their game and take us to the next level with –

Back To The Begining Again – A crunching twin guitar assault breaks out as this foot stomping bruiser really lets the boys up their game with this awesome blues rocker track that grabs our attention. Andrew is controlling the groove with a solid snare punch that brings cymbal crashes and cool bass beats as this epic track really showcases their incredible talent that is shining through, the keys are littered throughout the track as Jake brings the pzazz to tonight’s show with real ease as he allows the track to breathe. Warren is swaying from side to side and has his trademark dark shades on as he drops incredible funk laden grooves all through the track as the place jumps around and feels the energy pouring from the hallowed Glasgow stage as the boys settle into their stride and bring the noise that has made them one of the most exciting bands on the circuit today, the place erupts in a hail of hollering, clapping as we move onto –

Sittin Pretty – Robert Jon asks us how y’all doing as a cool, haunting keys intro ripples through the venue as Andrew kicks things off with a furious, thundering rhythm kick as the cymbal crashes rain down on us. Robert Jon lets his gravelly, blues soaked vocals lead the charge as this foot stomping rock n roller gets the crowd all warm n fuzzy as this bruiser punches us traight in the face, the dark, delicious bassline is dropping in and wrapping itself around this kick ass country beast as Henry James steps up and throws out a colossal lick that grabs our attention as the boys really shift through the gears and hit us with solid track after solid track as the crowd are going crazy for these rockers from Orange County as they deliver a no nonsense, punchy, fast and furious rocker track that just puts a smile on your face, next up –

Dark Angel – A gritty, rasping guitar riff oozes from the stage as a punchy snare kick weaves it’s way through the track as Robert Jon leans in and lets his smouldering, bluesy vocals lead the way. The twin guitar licks are wandering through the venue as this dark gritty rocker track erupts as the boys settle into their groove as we enjoy these killer tracks that just grab our attention from the off, the cool, meaty, delicious bassline is hitting us with a real cool tone as the boys shift through the gears and hit us with crisp, clean grooves that make this show something a little special. The place is swaying from side to side and rocking out with the boys as they deliver a cool, gritty, rock n roll show that will certainly take some beating let me tell you, the songs are strong, fresh, bring attitude and swagger which as we know the boys have in bucketloads, next up –

Keep Myself Clean – Henry James & Robert Jon kick things off with a real sludgy, rockin guitar riff that lets the vocals come to us with ease as the rhythm section leans in and hits us with a solid snare kick as the cymbal crashes rain down on us. The cool keys are building as Jake lets us know that he is here and ready to party as the boys drop in with a real foot stomping, fist pumping track that just captures what these boys are all about, the full on bassline is dropping in and giving us mellow, funk laden grooves that wrap themselves around this crunching track as we feel the swagger oozing from the stage as the boys set about their business and really offload with ease as the cool, slick guitar licks fill every corner of the venue as we stand in awe of these boys and what they bring to the table for sure. This is one of those gigs where you say that I was happy I got to see these boys as they rip up the stage and give us what we came for tonight as we drop into –

Life Between The Lines – A crisp, clean guitar lick erupts from the outset as Henry James kicks things off as the rhythm section kicks in the doors witha real furious rock n roll groove that just allows the track to come at us with all it has. The boys are leaning in with cool backing vocals that just tells us that they are really up for tonight’s show as we tap our feet to this real infectious track that lets Robert Jon bring his incredible rockin blues vocals that just shine as they give the track depth and attitude, Henry James lets rip with a cool, funky, slick lick that lets the track burst through and let us feel the energy oozing from the boys as they just hit us with all they have tonight as the rhythm section is coming at us with a real punchy, meaty snare / bass / cymbal laden groove that is on the money , up next –

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 –

Gold – Keys are plonking away and have smooth strumming and snare kicks that bring this awesome ballad esque tune to the surface, the smokey gravelly tinged vocals are just incredible, the arrangement reminds me of a smoke filled room with couples dancing cheek to cheek and just getting lost in each other as they go through life in this lyric driven ballad that is incredible, solo comes in and is giving us uptempo riffs and hooks with a real gritty feel that is bringing all you thoughts flooding back as we get lost in this phenomenal country blues driven classic that is just filling the room with so much love let me tell you. These boys are on fire right now and I for one cannot wait for their new record I am told will be with us very soon, we kick on and roll into an old classic in the form of –

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 –

Oh Miss Carolina – Bursting riff comes at us before we have gravelly blues style vocals with a real cool edge to them, we have pounding drums with a punchy snare kick that is on point and sets the tone going forward, bass chords are plucking away and are throwing out funked chords of a bluesy heat which is bringing the track together, fantastic solo comes at us and has crisp blues riffs with a stunning pick up that is just incredible with tones and melodies that just fit, great opener to kick off this stunning new piece of music. The audience are really warming to this incredible 5 piece as they deliver a strong blues fuelled rocker driven set that is just on fire. Robert Jon asks for our help in singing alone to the chorus and I can tell you it was an incredible sight to see a full, rammed Garage in fine fettle as they sang with the guys and let them know that Glasgow is their home from home as we drop into –

Cold Night – Sweet piano tones linger through the intro as snare drum punches rain down on us to allow this track to open and grow. Cymbal crashes bring the groove as slick guitar riffs are dropping all over this incredible track to just allow us to catch our breathe as this classic track is the last one of the night or so we think. Vocals are smooth with a real gravelly rasp that fits this track perfectly and really tells us that these boys will most definitely be back on our shores sometime soon, this is a real thought provoking piece of music that is filled with classy licks and cool plundering bass chords that bring the groove that has these boys eating from the palm of their hands. This has been a real cool evening full of slick crisp guitar riffs from these boys from Orange County who really blew us away tonight with their classic blues riffs and sultry vocals, the song gets interesting as Henry James walks over to Jake and they begin a guitar / keys trade off that is quite simply incredible as the place cheers & hollers as this incredible track brings the night to a finish – or so we think, the boys leave the stage and return to a hero’s welcome as they tell us they have one more in them as they lead us 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 as we thank the boys for another incredible show that will have us talking about it for a long time to come.

The boys are out on the road and dropping into the UK again in June & October so catch these boys or miss them at your peril.

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

Hey Hey Mama

Back To The Beginning Again

Sittin Pretty