Robert Jon & the Wreck is an American five-piece blues rock and Southern rock band. Formed in Orange County, California, United States, in 2011, the ensemble has released several albums and toured extensively. Their 2021 album, Shine a Light on Me Brother, was described by one reviewer as their "best album to date which is saying a lot. It's a great album from start to finish".
Career The quintet began their journey in February 2011 in Orange County, California, United States. Within six months of their formation, Robert Jon & the Wreck had undertaken a national tour playing 60 shows and self-released their debut album, Fire Started. In 2013, the band released an EP, Rhythm of the Road, which was produced by Warren Huart and had been recorded at the Swing House Studios in Hollywood, Los Angeles. Robert Jon & the Wreck were named 'Best Live Band' at the 2013 Orange County Music Awards. In mid 2014, in between touring commitments, the band recorded a second EP, The RedBull Sessions, at RedBull Studios in Santa Monica, California. Less than six months later, Robert Jon & the Wreck recorded again, this time at the Sunset Sound Studios in Hollywood, with record producer Warren Huart once more in attendance. They amassed a ten track collection, Glory Bound, which was released on February 24, 2015.
In 2016, Huart helmed their next album, Good Life Pie, with the recording taking place at Hybrid Studios in Santa Ana, California. Good Life Pie was issued on May 13, 2016. By this stage the band were touring both the United States and parts of Europe on a regular basis, returning periodically to California to record. In 2017, they recorded Robert Jon & The Wreck, and reissued their earlier EPs into a compilation album, Wreckage: Vol.1. In addition that year, line-up changes took place with Henry James (Schneekluth) and Warren Murel both joining the band. The ensuing European trip included their appearance at the Moulin Blues Fest in Ospel, Netherlands. Their self-titled album was finally released in May 2018.
In May 2019, the band issued their next studio album, Take Me Higher, which had been conceived and written with the new members, Henry James and Warren Murrel. Their subsequent touring schedule took in the Ramblin' Man Fair in the UK alongside headliners Foreigner, and the Keeping The Blues Alive at Sea Mediterranean Blues Cruise in the company of Joe Bonamassa, Peter Frampton, Eric Gales, and Robert Randolph and the Family Band. Their next album, Last Light on the Highway, was released on May 8, 2020. The album featured backing singers Mahalia Barnes, Jade MacRae and Juanita Tippins. "Tired Of Drinking Alone" was one of 11 self-penned tracks making up the collection. The release warranted a favorable mention in Rolling Stone, and the single release from the album, "Oh Miss Carolina", had a three month tenure on Planet Rock Radio in the UK. By this stage the band membership had settled as Robert Jon Burrison (lead vocals/guitar), Andrew Espantman (drums/background vocals), Steve Maggiora (keyboards/background vocals), Henry James (lead guitar), and Warren Murrel (bass guitar). Their next studio album was Shine a Light on Me Brother, which was released on September 3, 2021. It received critical acclaim. One reviewer commented "Shine A Light On Me Brother is Robert Jon and the Wreck's best album to date which is saying a lot. It's a great album from start to finish". Touring commitments throughout 2021 took in parts of Europe, including at Bospop in Weert, Netherlands, the UK in May, plus Australian and Japanese dates. Wreckage Vol. 2 (2022), was a compilation album covering in-studio and live performances recorded between 2020 and 2022. On November 4, 2022, the band announced via Instagram that Maggiora had left the band, due to his duties as a member of the Toto touring band. On April 16, 2023, the band stated that Jake Abernathie, who had played with the ensemble already during several gigs, is the successor of Maggiora.
The band finished a major US touring schedule and toured the UK and Europe in 2023.
Band members Robert Jon Burrison – Lead vocals, guitar Andrew Espantman – Drums, backing vocals (since 2011) Warren Murrel – Bass guitar (since 2017) Henry James Schneekluth – Lead guitar, vocals (since 2017) Jake Abernathie – Keyboards (since 2023) Former David Pelusi – Bass guitar, vocals Kristopher Butcher – Lead guitar, vocals Kyle Michael Neal – Lead guitar, backing vocals Steve Maggiora – Keyboards, vocals Nick Phakpiseth – Bass guitar Derrick Wong - Bass guitar
Discography Studio albums Title Album details Fire StartedReleased: September 2, 2011 Label: Self-released Format: Digital download Glory BoundReleased: February 24, 2015 Label: Spitifire Music Format: CD, vinyl, digital download Good Life PieReleased: May 20, 2016 Label: Spitfire Music Format: CD, vinyl, digital download, streaming Robert Jon & the WreckReleased: April 27, 2018 Label: Self-released Format: CD, vinyl, digital download, streaming Take Me HigherReleased: May 11, 2019 Label: Self-released Format: CD, vinyl, digital download, streaming Last Light on the HighwayReleased: May 8, 2020 Label: Self-released Format: CD, vinyl, digital download, streaming Shine a Light on Me BrotherReleased: September 3, 2021 Label: Self-released Format: CD, digital download, streaming Ride into the LightReleased: August 4, 2023 Label: Journeyman Records Format: CD, vinyl, digital download, streaming Red Moon RisingRelease: June 28, 2024 Label: Journeyman Records Format: CD, vinyl, digital download, streaming Heartbreaks & Last GoodbyesReleased: August 22, 2025 Label: Journeyman Records Format: CD, vinyl, digital download, streaming
Compilations Title Album details Wreckage, Vol. 1 (B-Sides Collection)Released: August 9, 2017 Label: Self-released Format: Digital download, streaming
Live albums Title Album details Live From HawaiiReleased: September 25, 2020 Label: Hampton Productions Format: CD, digital download, streaming Wreckage, Vol. 2 (Live)Released: September 30, 2022 Label: Keeping the Blues Alive Records Format: CD, digital download, streaming Live at the Ancienne BelgiqueReleased: April 21, 2023 Label: Journeyman Records Format: CD, vinyl, digital download, streaming
Extended plays Title Album details Rhythm of the RoadReleased: June 8, 2013 Label: Self-released Format: Digital download The Red Bull SessionsReleased: July 4, 2014 Label: Spitfire Music Format: Digital download
Singles Title Year Album "Blame It on the Whiskey" 2014 Glory Bound "Take Me Higher" 2019 Take Me Higher "Oh Miss Carolina" 2020 Last Light on the Highway "Tired of Drinking Alone" "Shine a Light on Me Brother" 2021 Shine a Light on Me Brother "Waiting for Your Man" 2022 rowspan=2 "She's a Fighter" "Pain No More" Ride into the Light "Who Can You Love" "Come at Me" "One of a Kind" "Bring Me Back Home Again" 2023 "West Coast Eyes" "Don't Look Back Down" "Stone Cold Killer" Red Moon Rising "Hold On" "Help Yourself" "Ballad of a Broken Hearted Man" 2024 "Red Moon Rising" "Dragging Me Down" "Trouble"
Music videos YearTitleAlbum "Take Me Higher" 2019 Take Me Higher "Oh Miss Carolina" 2020 Last Light on the Highway "Tired of Drinking Alone" Shine a Light on Me Brother "Shine a Light on Me Brother" 2021 "Waiting for Your Man" 2022 rowspan=2 "She's a Fighter" "Pain No More" Ride into the Light "Who Can You Love" "One of a Kind" 2023 "Come at Me" "Bringing Me Back Home Again" "West Coast Eyes" "Don't Look Down" "Ride into the Light" "Stone Cold Killer" Red Moon Rising "Hold On" "Help Yourself" "Ballad of a Broken Hearted Man" 2024 "Red Moon Rising" "Dragging Me Down" "Trouble""Down No More""Hate to See You Go""Rager""Life Between the Lines""Boss Man""Ashes In the Snow"2025Heartbreaks and Last Goodbyes"Sittin Pretty""Long Gone""Highway""Better of Me""Dark Angel""Keep Myself Clean""I Wanna Give It""Heartbreak and Last Goodbye""Old Man""Back to the Beginning Again"Unreleased album"Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is"2026
References
External links Official website