A power trio blends rock and blues that for some reason has eluded most present day rock groups. By incorporating elements of blues, rock, funk and jazz the band harkens back to the era when musicians blended elements of many styles not just one. Expanding upon these elements, the debut CD is a free flowing from the gut music experience.
Johnny Hawthorn (vocals, guitar) has been on the Los Angeles music scene for about ten years. “I came out from Philadelphia, PA to attend Musicians Institute in Hollywood. Upon graduation I hit the club scene and became the “hired gun” around town playing in at one time six different bands. Hired as a session player by Todd Nichols (Toad the Wet Sprocket) Hawthorn hit it off with Nichols and he eventually was asked him to join the band. Nichols was interested in putting together a production company and one of their first projects was the Johnny Hawthorn Band’s CD.
Hawthorn’s music has been heard on KLOS local licks program. “I got in my car when the song was playing to get the whole experience.” Hawthorn was also featured in the Spotlight column written by Mike Varney of Guitar Player magazine. “Just on a goof I sent my CD to him (Mike Varney) and one night he phoned me and did a little interview for the column. I was like holy crap!”
“Walden’s Pond,” the lead track on his debut effort and the last track, “Shadow Man,” have an uncanny resemblance to that of Jimi Hendrix. Hawthorn has nice bluesy guitar riffs on both songs are understated and thoroughly enjoyable. Both “Walden’s Pond” and “Shadow Man” were co-written by Max Chain. “Chain was the one that inspired me to sing.”
Hawthorn decided to do two cover songs, “Crossroads,” by Robert Johnson and “Come On” by Earl King. On “Crossroads,” Hawthorn played all the guitar parts with a lapsteel guitar (this type of guitar can only be played using a metal slide and it has a unique sound). “Still In Love,” is a slow bluesy ballad worth giving a spin. Hawthorn includes two instrumental songs, “Sorry (intro)” and “Mercy Jam” where you get a feel for his technique.
Influenced by Led Zeppelin and Van Halen and funk bands, P-Funk and Sly and the Family Stone Hawthorn strives to entertain his audience, “I figured for the CD people don’t want to listen to boring guitar solos, but live if you are entertaining fans more than welcome a bit of improv.” This CD has some of the most exciting bluesy music to come down the pike. Hawthorn is a force to be reckoned with. He offers soulful lyrics exploring the depths of failing relationships which are essential ingredients for blues music.
The CD is being distributed through the web by Abe’s Records, which is an independent label set up by Todd Nichols and can be purchased through CD Baby.
Check out Johnny Hawthorn at: johnnyhawthorn.com or myspace.com/johnnyhawthorn His new CD will be out this summer. Be sure to pick up this CD and the new one once it arrives.
