An Important Thank You
If I might start the review a little differently. I first want to put on record a big thank you to the staff (security guys) at the Glasgow Garage who enabled me to do this review.
I had a health issue the night before (and was still a bit of a problem), which meant I might have struggled to stand in a packed crowd, but they sorted me out by allowing me to sit in the balcony with a seat!
So thanks to them, I can tell you something about the night that Robert Jon & The Wreck (assisted by support Sam Morrow) sold out this Glasgow venue.
Why The Band Is Making Such Headway
Every tour they seem to either play bigger venues or are now selling them out. Most of this UK run is sold out. For those reading unaware of the band may I explain briefly why I think they are growing so much?
Firstly, they are a great band musicianship-wise. These guys are top players.
Secondly, they write terrific songs. Some are good time, almost party anthems about love and brotherhood and others are stories of hardship or failed relationships. They write songs with great melody, some cooking riffs and lyrics that resonate with listeners.
Live, they always deliver. Never anything short of giving their best with these guys. They also have that wonderful thing of changing up their setlist so every night is a bit different. In Glasgow, they played (from what I can tell) 3 tracks that hadn’t yet been played on this run of dates (one of which which singer, Robert Jon dedicated to those doing multiple shows) and any that they had played before were often switched around to give a different vibe and keep it fresh for the band themselves and for their audience.
The icing on the cake? They are utterly approachable and always take time to chat with fans. They are honest players who love performing live, which is just as well as they spend so much of their lives on the actual road. Any aspiring musicians could learn from these guys when it comes to growing an audience.
Rattling Fills
So what about this specific gig? The band played 13 songs, a mix that went right back to their first album and the gig was topped and tailed with songs from the same album, Red Moon Rising from 2024.
The band comprised of lead singer and guitarist Robert Jon, guitarist Henry James, keyboard player (and backing vocals) Jake Abernathie, bassist Warren Murrel and last but by no means least, drummer (also backing vocals) Andrew Espantman.
They took to the stage around 8pm to a crowd that were well and truly up for it. Right from the opener “Hold On” they were in a rocking mood, what with some of drummer Andrew‘s drum fills rattling teeth, his rolls on this during the choruses were in the prog zone! I am sure there were quite a lot of extra touches going on live drum-wise. When at one point the guys were tuning/changing guitars Andrew just went into a solo which when Robert was ready he looked round pointed and grinned, almost saying “having fun?” I think they all were.
Stops, Starts, Riffs, Aplenty
The keys of Jake shone through on a few songs too. He adds so much texture to things. For instance, on “Hey Hey Mama,” his organ sweeps are glorious. This is quite a funky number and Henry James solo seemed extended from the album version. They certainly heavied up the ending, it was frantic and could have knocked folks flying.
“Back To The Beginning Again” kept it pretty funky. It had a great groove, a little more laid back than “Mama” but that is what the band are about, colour, shade keeping things interesting. “Sittin’ Pretty” (the opening song on their last album) is a belter of a song, with stops starts, riffs, drum fills aplenty and a massive chorus. The way they drop down for Robert to holler some vocal lines works beautifully in the live situation. A very busy track, everyone is playing at speed and intensity, yet it is catchy as hell. Heard plenty of folks joining in even from upstairs!
On “Dark Angel” (also from latest album) I noticed the high pitched “woo-oohs” seemed to be being delivered from Jake. That boy has range! More a mid-tempo track almost respite from the high energy of the previous tracks.
Character Led Song
They stuck with the latest album for a third song, “Keep Myself Clean” which is a look at being from a rough area, where so many people end up either “dead or in jail” but the protagonist is trying not to follow those folks. He admits his own issues, calling himself a “son of a bitch” at one point but at the same time he admits he needs to hide to try and “keep myself clean“. Great song, with a character we can all imagine. Love the melody on this one, and it sounded great on the night.
Songs Just For Glasgow (So Far)
The band played (as far as I can tell) 3 tracks in Glasgow they hadn’t yet played on this UK leg. First up was “Life Between The Lines” which had a drop down section where we got something like a jazz interlude (there is a short one on the album but this was longer and very playful) featuring bass and lead guitar. This was another where the keys played a huge part. A driving song with lots of “woahs” to join in with.
“Tired Of Drinking Alone” is one of those more country-based songs the band writes. It is a song to sway to whilst singing. Always a fan favourite from what I have seen. The third newbie was “Gold” which shows their writing skills to perfection. A story song. Starting as love-struck teens, sadness of breaking up, animosity and a bit of spite from the guy (the girl will probably be a single mum living on benefits due to not being with him), then a musical interlude, a sumptuous guitar solo that is all feel and emotion, a passage of time, then the twist. The person who actually has regret is him. He realises he should have done more to keep her in his life. All wrapped up in about 4 or 5 minutes. Magical.
Fan Favourites To Finish
They finished the main set with a couple of regular songs, firstly “Oh Miss Carolina,” a humongous singalong track which at one point was left fully to the crowd. They nearly took the bloody roof off folks!
Then the epic “Cold Night“, where they get to extend themselves solo-wise and battle-wise. There are moments that are aways there, hooks that are permanent, but they surround them with new little phrases and fills, keeping it fresh and interesting. This is them sounding quite a bit like The Allman Brothers, which of course is no bad thing! Henry James shows he can not only play lovely soul-filled solos, but can shred with the best of them.
70’s Purple Anyone
The band come back for one more song. “Rager” is a well, em, a rager! It rocks like a very heavy rocking thing. Once again keys and guitar do battle and work together at other points, all the time reminding me of early 70s Deep Purple. Yes that good, that classic.
They Are Coming Back To the UK in June And October
I said early doors the reasons that I see as why the band keep growing. You might have spotted some of the points within the actual review. The band are coming back to the UK later in the year with 2 dates in June (including a performance at Love Rocks Festival down in Dorset), and then another 6 dates in October. I will add all date below with links to purchase tickets. If this tour is anything to go by, it would be sensible to get them now before they sell out.
A New Name In Support To Me
In conclusion, a word about the support act, Sam Morrow. Very much a new name to me, although he has been around a while, it seems. He has a 4-piece band, he plays guitar and sings (and does some of the soloing) and then there is a lead guitarist, bassist and drummer. They only had half an hour, but they packed it with music.
Musically, it was bluesy, in places rather funky and made me think of both Lynyrd Skynyrd (primarily Street Survivors era, it had that Steve Gaines vibe guitar wise to me) and J.J. Cale. For those who don’t know, he wrote a number of songs that other artists had success with (aforementioned Skynyrd with “Call Me The Breeze” and Clapton with “Cocaine” most famously).
Morrow‘s vocal style reminded me of J.J quite a bit, laid back, quite a quiet delivery. I found him very engaging. He did throw in a cover of “Have A Cigar,” which surprised me but it was very good, he (and the band) added his/their own feel to it. Strangely, he sang this differently, attacking the words perhaps due to it being a more scathing song. Definitely someone I want to see again doing a longer set.
And Finally
An excellent night all round. Again, thanks to security and staff at the Garage, the bands for their performances and the PR folks who sort things out for people like me. It is appreciated. Remember, check the new tour dates and get along if at all possible.
Tour Dates:
June 18: Holmfirth: Picturedrome
June 19: Dorset: Love Rocks Festival
October 2: Cambridge: Junction
October 3: Nottingham: Rock City
October 4: Liverpool: O2 Academy 2
October 6: Bristol: Trinity
October 7: Leeds: Project House
October 8: Oxford: O2 Academy
Purchase Tickets HERE!
Official Robert Jon Website // Facebook
Official Sam Morrow Website // Facebook
Check out my other articles and reviews here. The New World Man
