Wrecking Stock Rising
Robert Jon & The Wreck (with Sam Morrow) – The Garage, Glasgow, 17th April 2026
Robert Jon & The Wreck (with Sam Morrow) – The Garage, Glasgow, 17th April 2026
In April, celebrated Californian roots rockers Robert Jon & The Wreck were back in the UK to further promote latest album, 2025’s Heartbreaks & Last Goodbyes.
The tour included a sold-out show at The Garage in Glasgow, where the quintet have always been well received.
The band – Robert Jon Burrison (lead vocals, guitar), Henry James Schneekluth (lead guitar, backing vox), Andrew Espantman (drums, backing vox), Warren Murrel (bass), Jake Abernathie (keys) – have more than a dozen albums under their belt, including outstanding back-to-back brace Last Light On The Highway (2020) and Shine a Light On Me Brother (2021).
But there is no question their stock has risen since the release of 2024’s critically-acclaimed Red Moon Rising, and aforementioned Heartbreaks album (both a mixture of Southern rock, Americana and country.
The tour included a sold-out show at The Garage in Glasgow, where the quintet have always been well received.
The band – Robert Jon Burrison (lead vocals, guitar), Henry James Schneekluth (lead guitar, backing vox), Andrew Espantman (drums, backing vox), Warren Murrel (bass), Jake Abernathie (keys) – have more than a dozen albums under their belt, including outstanding back-to-back brace Last Light On The Highway (2020) and Shine a Light On Me Brother (2021).
But there is no question their stock has risen since the release of 2024’s critically-acclaimed Red Moon Rising, and aforementioned Heartbreaks album (both a mixture of Southern rock, Americana and country.
Before RJ&TW took to the stage, support was provided by Sam Morrow and his band.
Morrow's live set was an unexpected delight and featured some impressive modern Americana mixed with roadhouse Southern rock, although, live, the emphasis was on well-delivered bluesy rock (spelt r a w k).
While the Skynyrd-esque 'Make ‘em Miss' and funkier 'Rosarita' (both from his 2020 album Gettin' By On Gettin' Down) were solid live cases in point, anyone familiar with Sam Morrow's back catalogue will be aware he is rooted in modern Americana and a more Nashville orientated sound; but there’s an argument to be made his true calling is in the live environment, which was certainly the case in Glasgow.
RJ&TW opened their set with 'Hold On' from Red Moon Rising, which made for a strong introduction.
Featuring staccato guitar riffs and a sing-along memorable chorus, 'Hold On' was an early opportunity for guitarist Henry James to stretch out with his impressive guitar technique (collectively, the band also sport strong harmonies and carry a confident stage presence).
Following number 'Hey Hey Mama' (dropping back to 2016 album Good Life Pie) was reminiscent of Skynyrd’s Street Survivors era (no bad thing), here with a funky edge.
It was an opening one-two that guaranteed the Garage crowd were on-side from the get-go.
Another welcome comparison was standalone single release 'Back to the Beginning Again' which, with its heavy classic-rock riff and great Hammond play from Jake Abernathie, was reminiscent of early, blues-tinged Whitesnake (again, no bad thing).
Morrow's live set was an unexpected delight and featured some impressive modern Americana mixed with roadhouse Southern rock, although, live, the emphasis was on well-delivered bluesy rock (spelt r a w k).
While the Skynyrd-esque 'Make ‘em Miss' and funkier 'Rosarita' (both from his 2020 album Gettin' By On Gettin' Down) were solid live cases in point, anyone familiar with Sam Morrow's back catalogue will be aware he is rooted in modern Americana and a more Nashville orientated sound; but there’s an argument to be made his true calling is in the live environment, which was certainly the case in Glasgow.
RJ&TW opened their set with 'Hold On' from Red Moon Rising, which made for a strong introduction.
Featuring staccato guitar riffs and a sing-along memorable chorus, 'Hold On' was an early opportunity for guitarist Henry James to stretch out with his impressive guitar technique (collectively, the band also sport strong harmonies and carry a confident stage presence).
Following number 'Hey Hey Mama' (dropping back to 2016 album Good Life Pie) was reminiscent of Skynyrd’s Street Survivors era (no bad thing), here with a funky edge.
It was an opening one-two that guaranteed the Garage crowd were on-side from the get-go.
Another welcome comparison was standalone single release 'Back to the Beginning Again' which, with its heavy classic-rock riff and great Hammond play from Jake Abernathie, was reminiscent of early, blues-tinged Whitesnake (again, no bad thing).
'Sittin’ Pretty,' 'Dark Angel' and 'Keep Myself Clean,' all from Heartbreaks, followed in quick succession, with the first of the trio providing an effective, up-tempo rock 'n' roll vibe with some acapella vocal sections (a recurring RJ&TW device).
'Dark Angel' however was a little too by-the-hooky "ooh-hoo" numbers to make the same sort of impact, but Henry James made another telling contribution on the mid-tempo swagger of 'Keep Myself Clean' to provide some redemption.
'Long Gone' was another effective number that saw the return of the band’s funkier edge (but also the "ooh-hoo" intejections, something of a trait of the new album); the song also featured a tour-de-force wah wah solo by Henry James, elevating the song further.
'Don’t Let Me Go,' the first of four consecutive numbers from Last Light On The Highway, allowed the band to shift from wah rock to a more reflective country-blues, which was an effective switch of direction.
Henry James (clearly establishing himself as the band’s ace up their collective sleeve) contributed a stellar slide guitar part, further nailing the southern rock pedigree.
The downtempo 'Gold' may not break any new Southern country ballad ground, but it showed RJ&TW can cover other bases within their chosen genre(s) comfortably and impressively (the song also included a very effective key change in the outro).
Similarly emotive was 'Tired of Drinking Alone,' where Robert Jon delivered an emotional vocal performance that, one suspects, was borne of personal experience.
Crowd favourite 'Oh Miss Carolina' completed the Last Light quartet, including obligatory crowd participation on the catchy, gospel-tinged chorus section.
The set closed out with older number 'Cold Night,' which draws from the legacy of The Allman Brothers, followed by encore number, the rocking 'Rager' from Red Moon Rising.
The latter represented the band’s heavier influences, making for a highly effective final number.
It’s fair to say the sold-out Glasgow crowd went home happy, but it was interesting to note that material from Heartbreaks & Last Goodbyes featured less prominently than was probably expected (although RJ&TW have a reputation for changing set composition from one gig to the next).
But truth be told Heartbreaks has less immediacy than Red Moon Rising, and featuring a quartet of Last Light songs was also telling, and very welcome.
As mentioned at the top of this review, RJ&TW’s reputation on the live circuit is certainly growing, as can be gleaned by the bigger capacity venues; which leads to the obvious conclusion that their core audience is very much on board with their more commercially-aware material.
Nor will UK fans have to wait long to top up on their RJ&TW fix as the band, who know how to connect with an audience as well as any act out there, will be back in old Blighty in June, and again in October (see tour dates poster below).
Nelson McFarlane
FabricationsHQ
Photo Credits (all images) - Ian Potter.
'Dark Angel' however was a little too by-the-hooky "ooh-hoo" numbers to make the same sort of impact, but Henry James made another telling contribution on the mid-tempo swagger of 'Keep Myself Clean' to provide some redemption.
'Long Gone' was another effective number that saw the return of the band’s funkier edge (but also the "ooh-hoo" intejections, something of a trait of the new album); the song also featured a tour-de-force wah wah solo by Henry James, elevating the song further.
'Don’t Let Me Go,' the first of four consecutive numbers from Last Light On The Highway, allowed the band to shift from wah rock to a more reflective country-blues, which was an effective switch of direction.
Henry James (clearly establishing himself as the band’s ace up their collective sleeve) contributed a stellar slide guitar part, further nailing the southern rock pedigree.
The downtempo 'Gold' may not break any new Southern country ballad ground, but it showed RJ&TW can cover other bases within their chosen genre(s) comfortably and impressively (the song also included a very effective key change in the outro).
Similarly emotive was 'Tired of Drinking Alone,' where Robert Jon delivered an emotional vocal performance that, one suspects, was borne of personal experience.
Crowd favourite 'Oh Miss Carolina' completed the Last Light quartet, including obligatory crowd participation on the catchy, gospel-tinged chorus section.
The set closed out with older number 'Cold Night,' which draws from the legacy of The Allman Brothers, followed by encore number, the rocking 'Rager' from Red Moon Rising.
The latter represented the band’s heavier influences, making for a highly effective final number.
It’s fair to say the sold-out Glasgow crowd went home happy, but it was interesting to note that material from Heartbreaks & Last Goodbyes featured less prominently than was probably expected (although RJ&TW have a reputation for changing set composition from one gig to the next).
But truth be told Heartbreaks has less immediacy than Red Moon Rising, and featuring a quartet of Last Light songs was also telling, and very welcome.
As mentioned at the top of this review, RJ&TW’s reputation on the live circuit is certainly growing, as can be gleaned by the bigger capacity venues; which leads to the obvious conclusion that their core audience is very much on board with their more commercially-aware material.
Nor will UK fans have to wait long to top up on their RJ&TW fix as the band, who know how to connect with an audience as well as any act out there, will be back in old Blighty in June, and again in October (see tour dates poster below).
Nelson McFarlane
FabricationsHQ
Photo Credits (all images) - Ian Potter.
RJ&TW - upcoming shows (and ticket links): https://robertjonandthewreck.com/tour/
