Fans of Robert Jon & The Wreck know. They know that this California band is one of the best working today in southern/roots rock. And they know that this band deserves broader stages at the cost of the intimacy provided by a legendary venue like Athens’ 40 Watt Club.
There’s plenty of bands mining similar ground, rocking and emotional takes at heartbreak, love, personal struggles, resilience and redemption. Robert Jon & The Wreck have been doing this for over 15 years and they have clearly set themselves apart.
What has changed, or is changing, is that the band is on a monster run of great albums, thoroughly satisfying from start to finish with no songs that hints at filler material. Maybe that explains their signing with Journeyman Records in 2023, the songwriting prowess of Robert Jon, or perhaps the contributions of keyboardist Jake Abernathie around that same time. Ultimately, though, it comes down to great lyrics, tight song structures and on point production values. As their last three albums were released, it could easily be said that each was “the band’s best to date.” They’re trending, and I think they know it.
The band shifts their setlist nightly, but there are a couple songs that likely will remain on their setlist for many years to come including “Oh Miss Caroline” – a fan favorite and singalong, and “Cold Night,” a 4:26 song that the band stretches for the set closer or encore between eight minutes or whenever the power gets cut. Great stuff.
This, the band’s first performance at the 40 Watt, featured four songs from their 2025 album, Heartbreaks and Goodbyes and a single written last year on the road – as the band always seems to be. Something rarely observed is that the band did not include more new songs. “Dark Angel” and “Long Gone” are two I would have loved to have heard live. It speaks to the strength of their recent work, with ten of the fourteen songs released in the last three years, not including a surprising and fun segue into The Who’s “Eminence Front.”
If there’s something wrong with the band, it might be their name. Robert Jon & The Wrecking Crew might actually be more apt. There’s no rear-end collision here. Jon has assembled a mighty band. It’s hard to imagine keeping the energy alive night after night, but they do it. The enjoyment can be seen on their faces, and just as apparent when Jon says “I’m seeing a lot of familiar faces.” Maybe that’s part of the magic, playing for people that love what you do.
One thing that is particularly remarkable is that while Robert Jon is clearly the band’s leader, he is pleased to step back and let his band shine, particularly ace guitarist Henry James, who takes the music wherever it needs to go emotionally.
This was my third time seeing the band, and as many shows as I see, I’ll make room for as many more as I can. The band remains on tour in the central and southeastern U.S. through mid-April before heading to Europe.
Concert addict tip: If you “like” a song by a band on Spotify and link your account with Songkick, you will receive an email when that band comes to town.
1) Link account
2) Like a RJ&TW song (or more)
3) Don’t miss out on a local show announcement!
Setlist:
Sam Morrow opened the evening. From Nashville by way of L.A. and NYC, Morrow has shifted from acoustic indie folk to a full-on roots/rock band that sits favorably with regional favorites Blackberry Smoke, The Steel Woods, or, yes, Robert Jon and the Wreck.
Great opener selection for a crowd wanting to hear exactly what Morrow and the band had to offer. And the surprise of Pink Floyd’s “Have a Cigar” hit just right.
