The Atomic 44's –Volume One

12-04-2022

In 2020, Eric Von Herzen, harmonica man for Walter Trout, Social Distortion,The Atomic Road Kings, Junior Watson, and Johnny Main, vocalist and guitarist for The 44's came together to form the Atomic 44's. It's a big and bad collaboration with lots of fire and brimstone raining down on the listener. It's hot and it's really good stuff with nine new cuts. Adding to the mix are an assembled group of fantastic musicians. There is the great Jim Pugh on keys, the outstanding Gary Ferguson on drums (Etta James and Gary Moore), the solid and long standing bassist Bill Stuve, Taryn Donath who I also on keys, the ebullient Deb Ryder adding her backing vocals and Kid Ramos adding some more guitar (The Proven Ones, Roomful of Blues, The Fabulous Thunderbirds). This is an all star crew backing two incredible musicians and they blend and meld together oh-so-well. The album opens with "The Boogeyman," a hot blues boogie with ringing guitar and stinging harp. It's a slick number and nice hook to start things off. Barbwire & Fences' follows, a coming of age song and landing in jail and a life in and out of the slammer. It's a dark, slow blues with more greasy harp, a biting guitar solo and some emotional vocals. "Fade To Black" has some angry blues shouting, a driving beat and more seminal harp work. The guitar makes another solo appearance but it's the harp that's the star here. Up next is "Olivia," a greasy and grimy harp tune with a nice, long instrumental intro. The boogey returns with some good piano and guitar guiding the musical flow. "Candyman" follows that, which is pretty much and instrumental follow on to what happened the prior track and it's cool ! "Ol' Mexico" is next with a driving beat and wailing harp and guitar and howling vocals. Next is "Lyin' Still" and the harp continues to blare and blaze and the guitar and organ add depth and cool factors to the cut. Slow and hot, it's another great cut bemoaning his woman ignoring him while talking to every man in town. The guitar adds to the feeling and has a poignant solo. "Saints & Sinners" is a slower piece where the lyrics decry the life of sin that he can't make his way out of. There is more big harp and guitar are featured here. The concluding number is "My '49" with a driving beat and wicked phrasing. The song is about his old car and his love for it. The guitar rings loudly and the halrp continues in it's musical assault. Well done! This is a hot album and it's big and ballsy and full of grit and power. I loved it and recommend it to all blues lovers as something that should grace their musical collections ! There's a lot to savour on this new release from blues/roots supergroup The Atomic 44's, who formed last year when heavyweights Eric Von Herzen (harmonica player for Walter Trout, Social Distortion, The Atomic Road Kings, Junior Watson) and guitarist/vocalist Johnny Main (The 44's) upped the ante by combining forces. Since then, the "hardest-working blues band" has gathered both strength and momentum, culminating in "The Atomic 44's, Vol. 1", a set of nine original tracks featuring an impressive roster of roots luminaries, out May 28, 2021 on Bird Dog Records. It's worth running through the line-up in some detail. We have legendary player Jim Pugh on keys, the always-excellent Gary Ferguson (Etta James/Gary Moore) on drums, veteran bassist Bill Stuve, the versatile Taryn Donath (also on keys), award-winning vocalist Deb Ryder and guitarist Kid Ramos (The Proven Ones, Roomful of Blues, The Fabulous Thunderbirds). It's an impressive list by anyone's reckoning, and testament to the respect and star power Von Herzen and Main bring to the table. Opener "The Boogeyman" rattles and moans with some frankly beautiful guitar before settling into a rustling, bustling stride. Von Herzen's harp playing propels the band with cutting verve as twin-guitars fuzz and roll, piano vamps and Ferguson's drums swing and sway. Main's voice was made for the blues, edgy and raw with a deep growling vibe. This is indeed a fine set of musicians. When the band stretch out for a few bars of instrumental fun, the energy whips up to frenetic levels. Even at their most fiery, the player's sound is loose and relaxed; that magic combination of strength and ease which only comes with an assured mastery of one's chosen instrument. That loose swagger permeates every track on this fine set. "Fade To Black" lilts and moans, a mid-tempo blues-rocker lifted far above the everyday thanks to those thumping, agile drums, snarling, buzzing harp and those circling twin-guitars. Special mention must go to Bill Stuve's bass-work. His subtle, hypnotic pulse underpins everything else here, allowing the other musicians to expand and contract like the proverbial well-oiled machine. Main's voice is a constant force, human and relatable, weaving in and out, a perfect foil for Von Herzen's swooping, diving runs. On "Olivia," the Atomic 44's throttle into classic Chicago-blues mode, kicking up an irresistible, dusty groove. There's some deep, barrel-house piano here, and once again Von Herzen sends out a clarion call on harmonica. "Ol' Mexico" chimes, flutters and drives; a sunny highway song full of vigour and verve. Vibrato guitar rings and swerves, a magical solo over clattering cymbals and muscular rhythm. "Lyin Still" is a stuttering, slow-burning high-light. Buzzing harp shines mantra-like, a simple, captivating hook around which the band swirl, deep and dark. Ferguson and Stuve are rock-solid, with a notable touch of swing and subtle funk tones. Indeed, there's a lot to listen to here, and plenty of reward for repeated spins. For an outfit formed only last year, The Atomic 44's sound as if they have playing together for decades. "My '49" closes the show in rousing form, a high-speed, high-energy blues burnout. "Buried on a hill-side, covered with mud and dirt," sings Main as the assembled musicians rock out with sublime power. Deb Ryder's backing vocals shine through here, harmonizing perfectly with Main's more grizzled delivery. As with every track on this fine album, when the band let loose it's a delight to hear. The Atomic 44's-VOL 1 is as exciting a set of contemporary blues as you could wish for. There is surely a lot more to come from the Atomic 44's, and every blue's fan will look forward to that. The Atomic 44's new release "Vol. 1" is the latest collaboration from two legendary musical powerhouses; Eric Von Herzen, harmonica man for Walter Trout, Social Distortion,The Atomic Road Kings, Junior Watson; and Johnny Main, vocalist and guitarist for The 44's. In 2020, these two seasoned musical veterans came together to form the Atomic 44's, and to create Americana/roots music that blazes a new trail in the genre. This set of 9 all-original jet-fueled tracks tells a story, paying homage to the traditional while keeping a clear focus on the future. Main and Von Herzen's tone, touch and feel on guitar and harp, coupled with Main's raw and captivating vocals, provide the perfect vehicle for their edgy contemporary lyrics and arrangements. The opening track, 'The Boogeyman,' was voted #1 in just eight weeks on the Roadhouse Blues & Boogie Chart! The record features an impressive list of Americana/Roots luminaries: David 'Kid' Ramos, Bill Stuve, Taryn Donath, Deb Ryder, Gary Ferguson and Jim Pugh. This record delivers on all fronts and is a must-have in every true music lover's collection.

1. The Boogeyman [4:44]

2. Barbwire And Fences [5:33]

3. Fade To Black [4:39]

4. Olivia [3:19]

5. Candy Man [3:09]

6. Ol' Mexico [4:18]

7. Lyin Still [5:01]

8. Saints And Sinners [4:57]

9. My '49 [4:16]

Johnny Main - lead vocals, guitar

Eric von Herzen - harmonica

Jim Pugh - hammond B3 organ