Lone Justice

All Music Guide:

The roots rock band Lone Justice was formed in Los Angeles by guitarist Ryan Hedgecock and singer Maria McKee. The half-sister of Bryan MacLean, a member of the seminal psychedelic outfit Love, McKee's involvement in the L.A. club scene dated back to her infancy; at the age of three, she joined MacLean at a performance at the famed Whisky-a-Go-Go and was befriended by Frank Zappa and members of the Doors. As a teen, she studied musical theater, and briefly performed in duos with MacLean and local blues singer Top Jimmy. McKee and Hedgecock first met while dabbling in the L.A. rockabilly scene, and their mutual affection for country music inspired them to found Lone Justice in 1982. Initially, the group was strictly a cover band, but the additions of veteran bassist Marvin Etzioni and Don Heffington, a former drummer in Emmylou Harris' Hot Band, prompted McKee to begin composing original material inspired by Dust Bowl-era balladry.

Gradually, elements of rock began creeping into the Lone Justice sound as well, and soon the band became a local favorite. At the urging of Linda Ronstadt, they were awarded a contract with Geffen Records; their self-titled debut appeared in 1985, followed by a tour in support of U2. Still, despite good press and media hype, Lone Justice failed to sell; slickly produced by the band's manager, Jimmy Iovine, it failed to connect with either country or rock audiences. In the record's wake, Hedgecock, Etzioni, and Heffington all exited the band, leaving McKee to lead Lone Justice alone. After enlisting guitarist Shayne Fontayne, bassist Greg Sutton, drummer Rudy Richman, and keyboardist Bruce Brody, Lone Justice recorded their second LP, Shelter. Shortly after the record's release, McKee broke up the band for good and went on to a solo career. Heffington became a successful session drummer, while Etzioni recorded under the guise Marvin the Mandolin Man. After a decade removed from the music industry, Hedgecock returned in 1996 as half of the duo Parlor James. A posthumous Lone Justice retrospective, This World Is Not My Home, followed in early 1999.

Wikipedia:

Lone Justice was an American country rock band formed in 1982 by guitarist Ryan Hedgecock and singer Maria McKee.

History [edit]

Early era [edit]

They began their career as part of the L.A. cowpunk scene of the 1980s. Lone Justice was inspired by Hedgecock and McKee's mutual affection for rockabilly and country music. The group started out as a strict cover band, but the additions of veteran bassist Marvin Etzioni and Don Heffington, a former drummer in Emmylou Harris's Hot Band, prompted them to compose their own material. Their early recordings can be described as a fusion of country and punk rock, with rockabilly elements. But by the time of their first album, the band had begun to incorporate elements of roots rock and singer-songwriter styles. Benmont Tench of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers was a frequent guest musician at their live shows.

Lone Justice became a popular attraction and a local LA favorite. Rock Journalist Stann Findelle noticed and wrote about Maria McKee in Performance Magazine where Findelle reported that the band "stole the show" at the Whisky A Go Go from purported headliner Arthur Lee, who was attempting a comeback that night, but left after two songs. With the help of Linda Ronstadt, they were signed to Geffen Records and were soon hyped as the "next big thing".

Their self-titled debut appeared in 1985, followed by a tour in support of U2. Still, despite good press and media hype—Jimmy Guterman, then a critic at Rolling Stone, included it in his list of the best albums ever made—Lone Justice failed to sell; produced by the band's manager, Jimmy Iovine, it failed to connect with country or rock audiences. Even with radio-friendly singles like "Sweet, Sweet Baby" and "Ways To Be Wicked" (written by Tom Petty and Mike Campbell), the album didn't meet commercial expectations. Regardless, the Pazz & Jop Critics Poll for 1985 ranked it No. 24.

Later era [edit]

In the record's wake, Hedgecock, Etzioni, and Heffington all exited the band, leaving McKee to lead Lone Justice alone. After enlisting guitarist Shane Fontayne, bassist Greg Sutton, drummer Rudy Richman, and keyboardist Bruce Brody, Lone Justice recorded their second LP, Shelter. Steve Van Zandt was the producer. This record saw them almost completely abandoning much of their earlier cowpunk, rockabilly, and roots rock influences in favor of what could be considered more typical 1980s pop/rock production, with heavy emphasis on drum machines and synthesizers. Commercially, the album charted lower than its predecessor, only reaching No. 65 on the album charts. However, the title single did better than the band's previous two charting singles, reaching # 26 on the Rock Singles chart, and # 47 on Hot 100 chart.

"Sweet, sweet baby (I'm Falling)" released by BBC on "Old Grey Whistle Test 3" Compilation DVD, 2004.

Disbandment [edit]

Shortly after Shelter's release, McKee broke up the band for good and went on to a solo career. Heffington became a session drummer, while Etzioni recorded under the guise of Marvin the Mandolin Man. Rudy Richman played drums with UK rock band The Quireboys between 1992 and 1993, appearing on the album Bitter Sweet & Twisted. Fontayne played guitar in Bruce Springsteen's band for the tour backing up the Lucky Town/Human Touch albums. After a decade removed from the music industry, Hedgecock returned in 1996 as half of the duo Parlor James. A posthumous Lone Justice retrospective, This World Is Not My Home, followed in early 1999, including early demo recordings. A brief, budget compilation was issued in 2003 as part of Universal Music's 20th Century Masters series.