Contrary to popular belief, The Black Crowes weren’t the only band keeping 70s hard rock alive in the heart of the grunge era. There was Cry of Love, The Quireboys, Little Angels, and Brother Cane, just to name a few. While most of these bands remained unknown in the eyes and ears of plaid clad oblivious westerners, Brother Cane did achieve modest success. During their initial run, they scored two #1 hits on the Billboard Mainstream Rock chart (“And Fools Shine On”, “I Lie in the Bed I Make”). Their most recognizable track, “Got No Shame”, peaked at #2, only to be edged out by, how ironic, “Peace Pipe” by Cry of Love. Clearly, not everyone in the early 90s cared to be bogged down by depressing lyrics and mundane music.
Following their 1998 split, Brother Cane frontman Damon Johnson went onto enjoy successful stints in Thin Lizzy and Alice Cooper’s band. On top of that, he’s maintained a healthy solo career which more or less serves as a creative extension of Brother Cane. His latest venture is billed Damon Johnson & The Get Ready. Joining Johnson is bassist Robbie Harrington and drummer Jarred Pope. I saw this power trio deliver a sizzling opening set for UFO about a year ago now. Fast forward a year later and the same energy I felt coming off that stage has been captured on this new album, Battle Lessons.
Battle Lessons is a no frills old school hard rock album, not just musically, but in attitude and approach. I’ve lamented for years about the bloated hard rock and metal albums of recent years, packed to the brim with 12 to 15 tracks in an effort to fill the entire CD. Whatever happened to the days when 8 to 12 tracks and 30 to 40 minutes was all you needed to make a kickass rock album? For Johnson, those days never ended. The 9 tracks that make up Battle Lessons clock in at a little over a half hour.
The album’s opening title track is an obvious nod to Thin Lizzy, with its twin guitar attack and infectious melodies. Following this is the loud and gritty “Can’t Clap Any Louder”. The riffs on this song, and most of the album for that matter, boast that lower gut punch synonymous with Gary Moore and Michael Schenker. Johnson learned from the best and it shows. Some songs, such as “Shadow Country” and “Casual Beast”, have a dark, ominous atmosphere that veer into Black Sabbath territory. There’s even a groove laden heavy blues rocker reminiscent of the late Johnny Winter, “Let the Healing Begin”. This might be my choice cut, though it’s hard to choose with such quality from beginning to end.
Damon Johnson may not have been an active artist in the 70s, but his signature brand of retro rock is as convincing as any of the OGs still out on the scene today. If you like your rock n’ roll hard, heavy, bluesy, ballsy, soulful, groovy, or just flat out 70s style, you can learn a lesson or two from Battle Lessons.
7 out of 10
Label: Double Dragon Records
Genre: Hard Rock
For fans of: Thin Lizzy, UFO, The Dead Daisies