Paul Johnson and the About Last Nights 5 Essential Albums

Freedom of thought and expression of one’s true self. Music has always been a central focus in my home. My dad listened to outlaw country while my sisters listened to hair metal and glam. I was stuck without feeling I could identify with anything bands were writing about. I had not lived the life my Dad had lived yet. Then Nirvana happened, and suddenly music spoke to me in a language I could understand. Being a Southern boy, I had no access to punk rock at all. Radio only played Top 40 hits, so scoring a tape of “Nevermind” from a girl in Texas changed my life. I felt a sense of self, and rebellion against the status quo. It was liberating. Now, I simply want to give “that” back to anyone who has ever felt like an outcast, uncomfortable in their own skin and the culture of their upbringing. You deserve an outlet of expression in your life. rock ‘n’ roll did that for me. Nirvana did that for me. That band is the reason I started writing songs, and the reason I formed a band. Not my favorite record by them, but definitely what turned me on inside.

Tom Petty And The Heartbreakers - Damn The Torpedoes

Songwriting purity period…

Not only is this a perfect album sonically, and in the hey day of music videos a perfect outlet for a great artist to reach the youth. It is undoubtably one of the best testaments of Rock n’ roll in its purist form. Not the sex drugs n rock n roll kind completely, but without a doubt a handcrafted masterpiece of songwriting and energy. Hands down as a band our biggest influence as a whole.

The Replacements - Pleased To Meet You

Its hard to know were to start on such an influential band. Everyone believes themselves to be their biggest fan, yet so many people still are discovering them. They had a huge impact on me and Zack lewis (Drummer for The about last nights) in forming our band. Here you had a group of guys with nothing to prove, and everything to to lose, without a single care for any of it (at least it was punk rock enough to seem that way.) As it should be with any artist it came down to the songs, and the energy a band creates. This record came out in 1987, a little before my time for sure. Hair Metal ruled rock airwaves, and was becoming a parody of itself. Image over substance. “Pleased to Meet Me” is unpretentious Power Pop at it’s finest. Still one of the greatest Rock bands live I’ve heard. They sound like their albums.

Bruce Springsteen - Born To run

Iconic to any Generation. An Album you don’t check the date on because who gives a shit when it came out? It’s a staple in ever band/songwriters record collection. This is an album of epic Rock n’ roll songs for the working man long before pro tools, and over production. Where one guy can sound like an orchestra. What you hear is talent to spare from a group of seasoned musicians working with a talented producer bringing what they do live to life with a nice polish that doesn’t numb the senses. Bruce has a way of making you become a part of every song, and is a gifted lyricist. He believes what He sings, and so do you. Honesty may be a dying art form, but this record should be a go to for directions there.

Waylon Jennings - Dreaming My Dreams

Not a bad song on any Waylon album, but I had to experience some truths about life before I was mature enough to appreciate him completely. There is an honesty to his voice that is both powerful, and soothing. A father like ambiance that penetrates the noise of your problems, and commands attention, and respect while not feeling like you’re being lectured. I have no greater respect for any artist. he connects me with my father who passed away. He lived an outlaws life, and i relate to this man. Most people do. He is a legend that crosses all genres.

Click HERE to download “Burn It Down” On iTunes.

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