Viva Lone Justice

From the band who invented Alt-Country, Viva Lone Justice is the first album to be released by Lone Justice in nearly 40 years, featuring original band members Maria McKee, Ryan Hedgecock, Marvin Etzioni, and Don Heffington. In 1983, Lone Justice began playing clubs in Los Angeles, and word spread like wildfire. By 1984, they were signed to Geffen Records, and in 1985, their self-titled debut album emerged, earning “Album of the Year” accolades from the LA Times. They shared stages with U2, Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers, and Willie Nelson before disbanding in 1986 as each member pursued solo careers.

Now, through the advent of technology, sweat, and tears, a new Lone Justice album has been completed, featuring the original debut lineup. Special guests include string arranger Tammy Rogers, multi-instrumentalist David Ralicke, Greg Leisz on steel guitar, and Benmont Tench on piano. The opening track, You Possess Me, places McKee front and center, backed by a string and mandolin quartet. Rattlesnake Mama, once a staple of their 1983 electric live sets, is presented in an acoustic rendition, featuring Hedgecock on rhythm auto-harp and Rogers on fiddle. They also deliver a blistering cover of Teenage Kicks, originally by The Undertones.

The same energy that lit up Los Angeles continues with Viva Lone Justice. Let the album rekindle the fire that Lone Justice once ignited and let it touch your heart and burn your barn down, too.