{"id":44,"date":"2023-06-14T16:30:56","date_gmt":"2023-06-14T16:30:56","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/robertjonandthewreck.com\/?page_id=44"},"modified":"2025-09-17T17:54:44","modified_gmt":"2025-09-17T17:54:44","slug":"about","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/robertjonandthewreck.com\/about\/","title":{"rendered":"About"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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ABOUT THE BAND<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\t\u201cThe top of southern rock\u201d\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tSOUNDS OF THE SOUTH<\/cite>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/blockquote>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
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<\/em><\/p>\n

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Reigning from Southern California, Robert Jon & The Wreck take the Southern rock sound from the East Coast and make it their own. Since their inception in 2011, these native Californians\u2014Robert Jon Burrison (lead vocals, guitar), Andrew Espantman (drums, background vocals), Henry James Schneekluth (lead guitar, background vocals), Warren Murrel (bass), and Jake Abernathie (keyboards)\u2014have been electrifying audiences all over the world with their soaring guitar leads, rich vocal harmonies, and unforgettable songs. Simply put, it is impossible to ignore when these talented musicians take the stage.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

The band has made an undeniable impact across the globe, playing sold-out shows and sharing the stage with the likes of Joe Bonamassa, Blackberry Smoke, Peter Frampton, The Marshall Tucker Band, The Black Crowes, Little Feat, and Rival Sons. 2020\u2019s Last Light On The Highway earned worldwide acclaim, and 2021\u2019s Shine A Light On Me Brother continued their upward climb, leading to a collaboration with Bonamassa\u2019s Journeyman Records. That partnership paved the way for even more ambitious projects, including 2023\u2019s Ride Into The Light, a dynamic, multi-faceted album that showcased collaborations with GRAMMY-winning producers Don Was, Kevin Shirley, and Dave Cobb, alongside contributions from Bonamassa and Josh Smith.<\/p>\n

That same year also saw the release of Live At The Ancienne Belgique, their first official live concert film, praised by Music News as \u201cone of the best live albums I have heard in years.\u201d<\/p>\n

In 2024, Robert Jon & The Wreck teamed up once again with Kevin Shirley (Iron Maiden, Aerosmith, The Black Crowes) for the release of Red Moon Rising. The record was hailed as their most fully realized work yet, with critics calling it \u201ca bold step forward\u201d and \u201ca masterclass in modern rock & roll with vintage soul.\u201d The collaboration with Shirley further cemented the band\u2019s reputation as torchbearers of timeless, heartfelt rock music.<\/p>\n

Now in 2025, the band continues their momentum with the release of Heartbreaks & Last Goodbyes, produced by GRAMMY-winner Dave Cobb (Chris Stapleton, Brandi Carlile, Rival Sons). The album captures the raw energy and spirit of the band while pushing their songwriting into bold new territory.<\/p>\n

With the new album in tow, Robert Jon & The Wreck are set for a massive year of touring, including a major U.S. West Coast run with Samantha Fish this fall and an extensive European and U.K. tour in the spring. Known for their fiery performances, the band\u2019s live show has been described as a life-affirming, communal experience\u2014where blistering guitar solos, soulful harmonies, and unshakable grooves bring audiences to their feet night after night.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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ROBERT JON
BURRISON<\/h4>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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GUITAR, LEAD VOCALS<\/h6>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Robert Jon Burrison lays it all on the line for Robert Jon & The Wreck. The driving force behind the band, he works year-round ensuring they\u2019re on the road or in the studio. The namesake lead singer grew up listening to his Dad\u2019s Motown and Gospel records and playing the drums and piano, but when he discovered classic rock as a young teen, he picked up a guitar and never looked back. Burrison tips his hat to endless blues and rock icons that continue to inspire him to this day. When Burrison\u2019s not rocking venues or working on new material, he can be found enjoying a generously poured glass of whiskey or trimming his impressive beard and enjoying time with is son and lovely wife.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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ANDREW
ESPANTMAN<\/h4>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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DRUMS, VOCALS<\/h6>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Drummer Andrew Espantman\u2019s uncle played bass and toured Europe with a Danish pop star. Naturally, he looked at his uncle and thought, \u201cIf he can do it, why can\u2019t I?\u201d And that\u2019s just what Espantman did \u2013 minus the bass and Danish pop star. Holding down the rhythm section since Robert Jon & The Wreck formed in 2011, Espantman continues to deliver fiery percussion in the studio and on the road. His time interning at Spitfire Studios for Warren Huart (Aerosmith, The Fray) led to a long relationship with the esteemed producer, who worked with the band on four albums. Inspired by greats like John Bonham with a sweet spot for tastemakers like Travis Barker, Espantman delivers beats on his custom Ludwig type C drum kit that\u2019s reminiscent of a blue candy cane and very likely the only one of its kind.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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HENRY
JAMES<\/h4>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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LEAD GUITAR, VOCALS<\/h6>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Joining Robert Jon & The Wreck in 2017, Henry James is the lead guitarist and overall groove master bringing psychedelic edge to southern rock. Fascinated with the classic sounds of the 60\u2019s and 70\u2019s, Henry spent his teenage years jamming in various bands that toured & performed around Southern California. When he\u2019s not working with the Wreck or customizing his own guitars, he\u2019s focused on his brainchild – King Tree & The Earthmothers. The project features original compositions that pay homage to vintage psychedelic and progressive rock. If Henry can find spare time beyond his musical ventures, he\u2019s out hunting for vinyl records.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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WARREN
MURREL<\/h4>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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BASS GUITAR<\/h6>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Bassist Warren Murrel has been liberating the low end for over a decade. Prior to joining Robert Jon & The Wreck in 2017, he played bass with several SoCal acts including The Higgs, MadTab, PWEST, DMTina & the Bumps and Sutter Zachman Band. Murrel is also a graduate of the Musicians Institute for Drums and Audio Engineering, with a session engineer resume that includes work for Dweezil Zappa, Don Preston, Gordon Campbell and many more. When Murrel\u2019s not jamming with Robert Jon & The Wreck on his one-of-a-kind Echo Park J Bass, you can find him sipping a strong IPA in sweatpants or enjoying long walks on the beach (seriously).<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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JAKE
ABERNATHIE<\/h4>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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KEYBOARDS<\/h6>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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The newest member of Robert Jon & the Wreck, keyboardist Jake Abernathie brings a warm and classic sound with a modern day breadth and sensibility that never goes out of style. Growing up on the edge of the High Desert in California, the rugged landscape and culture inspired him from an early age, becoming the catalyst of his journey into songwriting and the appreciation of Americana. He has worn many hats over his career, from folk band frontman to orchestral arranger, and has a passion for producing music for other artists and himself. When Abernathie isn\u2019t on the road, you can find him improvising in the kitchen – rarely making the same thing twice – or perfecting the world\u2019s next great card game.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

ABOUT THE BAND \u201cThe top of southern rock\u201d SOUNDS OF THE SOUTH Reigning from Southern California, Robert Jon & The Wreck take the Southern rock sound from the East Coast and make it their own. Since their inception in 2011, these native Californians\u2014Robert Jon Burrison (lead vocals, guitar), Andrew Espantman (drums, background vocals), Henry James Schneekluth (lead guitar, background vocals), Warren Murrel (bass), and Jake Abernathie (keyboards)\u2014have been electrifying audiences all over the world with their soaring guitar leads, rich vocal harmonies, and unforgettable songs. Simply put, it is impossible to ignore when these talented musicians take the stage. The band has made an undeniable impact across the globe, playing sold-out shows and sharing the stage with the likes of Joe Bonamassa, Blackberry Smoke, Peter Frampton, The Marshall Tucker Band, The Black Crowes, Little Feat, and Rival Sons. 2020\u2019s Last Light On The Highway earned worldwide acclaim, and 2021\u2019s Shine A Light On Me Brother continued their upward climb, leading to a collaboration with Bonamassa\u2019s Journeyman Records. That partnership paved the way for even more ambitious projects, including 2023\u2019s Ride Into The Light, a dynamic, multi-faceted album that showcased collaborations with GRAMMY-winning producers Don Was, Kevin Shirley, and Dave Cobb, alongside contributions from Bonamassa and Josh Smith. That same year also saw the release of Live At The Ancienne Belgique, their first official live concert film, praised by Music News as \u201cone of the best live albums I have heard in years.\u201d In 2024, Robert Jon & The Wreck teamed up once again with Kevin Shirley (Iron Maiden, Aerosmith, The Black Crowes) for the release of Red Moon Rising. The record was hailed as their most fully realized work yet, with critics calling it \u201ca bold step forward\u201d and \u201ca masterclass in modern rock & roll with vintage soul.\u201d The collaboration with Shirley further cemented the band\u2019s reputation as torchbearers of timeless, heartfelt rock music. Now in 2025, the band continues their momentum with the release of Heartbreaks & Last Goodbyes, produced by GRAMMY-winner Dave Cobb (Chris Stapleton, Brandi Carlile, Rival Sons). The album captures the raw energy and spirit of the band while pushing their songwriting into bold new territory. With the new album in tow, Robert Jon & The Wreck are set for a massive year of touring, including a major U.S. West Coast run with Samantha Fish this fall and an extensive European and U.K. tour in the spring. Known for their fiery performances, the band\u2019s live show has been described as a life-affirming, communal experience\u2014where blistering guitar solos, soulful harmonies, and unshakable grooves bring audiences to their feet night after night. ROBERT JONBURRISON GUITAR, LEAD VOCALS Robert Jon Burrison lays it all on the line for Robert Jon & The Wreck. The driving force behind the band, he works year-round ensuring they\u2019re on the road or in the studio. The namesake lead singer grew up listening to his Dad\u2019s Motown and Gospel records and playing the drums and piano, but when he discovered classic rock as a young teen, he picked up a guitar and never looked back. Burrison tips his hat to endless blues and rock icons that continue to inspire him to this day. When Burrison\u2019s not rocking venues or working on new material, he can be found enjoying a generously poured glass of whiskey or trimming his impressive beard and enjoying time with is son and lovely wife.\u00a0 ANDREW ESPANTMAN DRUMS, VOCALS Drummer Andrew Espantman\u2019s uncle played bass and toured Europe with a Danish pop star. Naturally, he looked at his uncle and thought, \u201cIf he can do it, why can\u2019t I?\u201d And that\u2019s just what Espantman did \u2013 minus the bass and Danish pop star. Holding down the rhythm section since Robert Jon & The Wreck formed in 2011, Espantman continues to deliver fiery percussion in the studio and on the road. His time interning at Spitfire Studios for Warren Huart (Aerosmith, The Fray) led to a long relationship with the esteemed producer, who worked with the band on four albums. Inspired by greats like John Bonham with a sweet spot for tastemakers like Travis Barker, Espantman delivers beats on his custom Ludwig type C drum kit that\u2019s reminiscent of a blue candy cane and very likely the only one of its kind. HENRY JAMES LEAD GUITAR, VOCALS Joining Robert Jon & The Wreck in 2017, Henry James is the lead guitarist and overall groove master bringing psychedelic edge to southern rock. Fascinated with the classic sounds of the 60\u2019s and 70\u2019s, Henry spent his teenage years jamming in various bands that toured & performed around Southern California. When he\u2019s not working with the Wreck or customizing his own guitars, he\u2019s focused on his brainchild – King Tree & The Earthmothers. The project features original compositions that pay homage to vintage psychedelic and progressive rock. If Henry can find spare time beyond his musical ventures, he\u2019s out hunting for vinyl records. WARREN MURREL BASS GUITAR Bassist Warren Murrel has been liberating the low end for over a decade. Prior to joining Robert Jon & The Wreck in 2017, he played bass with several SoCal acts including The Higgs, MadTab, PWEST, DMTina & the Bumps and Sutter Zachman Band. Murrel is also a graduate of the Musicians Institute for Drums and Audio Engineering, with a session engineer resume that includes work for Dweezil Zappa, Don Preston, Gordon Campbell and many more. When Murrel\u2019s not jamming with Robert Jon & The Wreck on his one-of-a-kind Echo Park J Bass, you can find him sipping a strong IPA in sweatpants or enjoying long walks on the beach (seriously). JAKE ABERNATHIE KEYBOARDS The newest member of Robert Jon & the Wreck, keyboardist Jake Abernathie brings a warm and classic sound with a modern day breadth and sensibility that never goes out of style. Growing up on the edge of the High Desert in California, the rugged landscape and culture inspired him from an early age, becoming the catalyst of his journey into songwriting and the<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"elementor_header_footer","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-44","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/robertjonandthewreck.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/44","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/robertjonandthewreck.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/robertjonandthewreck.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/robertjonandthewreck.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/robertjonandthewreck.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=44"}],"version-history":[{"count":37,"href":"https:\/\/robertjonandthewreck.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/44\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":968,"href":"https:\/\/robertjonandthewreck.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/44\/revisions\/968"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/robertjonandthewreck.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=44"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}