Lone Justice
{{Short description|American country rock band}}
{{for|the song of the same name by Anthrax|Spreading the Disease}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=June 2020}}
{{Infobox musical artist
| name = Lone Justice
| background = group_or_band
| image =
| caption =
| origin = Los Angeles, California, U.S.
| genre = {{hlist|Country rock|roots rock|cowpunk|rockabilly}}
| years_active = 1982–1987,{{cite news|url=http://nightflight.com/ways-to-be-wicked-l-a-s-petite-dynamo-maria-mckee-and-her-band-lone-justice/|title="Ways to be Wicked": Petite dynamo Maria McKee and her rockin' L.A. band Lone Justice|work=Night Flight|date=April 20, 2017|accessdate=June 24, 2019|last=Thomas|first=Bryan}} 2024
| label = Geffen
| associated_acts = Maria McKee
| website =
| current_members = Maria McKee
Ryan Hedgecock
Marvin Etzioni
| past_members = David Harrington
Don Willens
Don Heffington
Tony Gilkyson
Shane Fontayne
Bruce Brody
Gregg Sutton
Rudy Richman
}}
Lone Justice was an American country rock band formed in 1982 by guitarist Ryan Hedgecock and singer Maria McKee in Los Angeles. The band released two albums, Lone Justice in 1985 and Shelter the following year, before disbanding in 1987.
History
=Early era=
Lone Justice began as part of the L.A. cowpunk scene of the 1980s, inspired by Hedgecock and McKee's shared affection for rockabilly and country music.{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ImJFcBcCvUoC&q=spin+magazine+1985+recognition+comes+to+l.a.+band+lone+justice&pg=PA48 |title=Justice At Last – Recognition comes to L.A. band Lone Justice |first=Chris|last=Morris|date=July 1985|pages=48|publisher=Spin|accessdate=August 23, 2010}} The group started out as a strict cover band,{{cite web|url=http://www.mtv.com/artists/lone-justice/biography/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141208052039/http://www.mtv.com/artists/lone-justice/biography/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=December 8, 2014 |title=mtv.com. About Lone Justice|website=MTV|accessdate=September 21, 2016}} but after the additions of bassist David Harrington and drummer Don Willens,{{cite AV media notes|title=The Western Tapes, 1983|type=EP liner notes|others=Lone Justice|publisher=Omnivore Recordings |year=2018}} they began to compose their own material. Marvin Etzioni was initially brought in as producer, arranger and songwriter for the band, but ended up replacing Harrington as bassist in 1983. By 1984, Don Heffington had replaced Willens as drummer. Their early sound was a fusion of country music 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.{{Citation needed|date=March 2022}} The band earned early support from Dolly Parton, who attended one of their club shows and later recalled McKee as "The greatest girl singer any band could ever have."{{cite web |title=Lone Justice's 'New' Album: Fresh Cowpunk, 30 Years Later |url=https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/blogs/our-country/lone-justice-album-fresh-cowpunk-30-years-later-103815697.html |website=yahoo.com |date=January 31, 2014 |accessdate=August 1, 2019}}
Lone Justice developed their initial following within the Los Angeles music scene. Local rock journalist Stann Findelle reported in Performance magazine that the band "stole the show" at the Whisky a Go Go from headliner Arthur Lee, who was attempting a comeback that night, but left after two songs.{{cite web|url=http://santafe.com/podcasts/out-of-the-vault-maria-mckee-lone-justice-august-23-2013 |title=SantaFe.com. Out Of The Vault – Maria McKee & Lone Justice, August 23, 2013|accessdate=September 21, 2016}} Linda Ronstadt was introduced to the band by wardrobe stylist Genny Schorr. Linda Ronstadt made a call to David Geffen and they were signed to Geffen Records amid a flurry of publicity.{{cite web |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/1986/12/02/lone-justice-groping-for-a-sound-on-shelter/|title=Lone Justice Groping For A Sound On Shelter |last=Brogan |first=Daniel |publisher=Tribune Publishing |date=December 2, 1986 |website=ChicagoTribune.com |access-date=September 21, 2016}}{{cite web |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/1985/10/03/lone-justice-turning-to-rock-n-roll-for-verdict/ |title=Lone Justice Turning to Rock 'n'Roll For Verdict |last=Brogan |first=Daniel |publisher=Tribune Publishing |date=October 3, 1985 |website=ChicagoTribune.com |access-date=September 21, 2016}}{{cite web |url=http://www.dallasobserver.com/music/justice-served-6401329 |title=Justice Served |last=Weiss |first=Neil |publisher=Voice Media Group |date=January 7, 1999 |website=DallasObserver.com |access-date=September 21, 2016}}
Their self-titled debut appeared in 1985, followed by a tour in support of U2.{{cite book |title=U2 Live: A Concert Documentary|author=Pimm Jal de la Parra|publisher=Omnibus Press |year=2003|isbn=978-0-7119-9198-9 }} For touring, the band augmented their line-up with guitarist Tony Gilkyson, who left the band in 1986. Produced by Jimmy Iovine, the album received some significant critical reviews, including that of Jimmy Guterman, then a critic at Rolling Stone, who placed it in his list of the best albums ever made.{{cite web|url=http://www.randysrodeo.com/books/guterman.php |title=Jimmy Guterman biography |publisher=Randysrodeo.com |accessdate=November 12, 2009}} The Village Voice's Pazz & Jop Critics Poll for 1985 ranked it No. 24.{{cite web|url=http://www.robertchristgau.com/xg/pnj/pjres85.php|title=The 1985 Pazz & Jop Critics Poll|accessdate=March 14, 2010}} Nonetheless, the album failed to connect with country or rock audiences,{{cite book |last=Ankeny|first=Jason|editor-first1=Vladimir|editor-last1=Bogdanov|editor-first2=Chris|editor-last2=Woodstra|editor-first3=Stephen Thomas|editor-last3=Erlewine|title=All Music Guide to Rock: The Definitive Guide to Rock, Pop, and Soul|publisher=Hal Leonard|date=2002 |pages=667|edition=3rd|isbn=978-0-879-30653-3}} and the whole enterprise suffered from excessive pre-release promotion that "raised expectations... [the album] couldn't possibly satisfy".{{Cite book |title=The New Trouser Press Record Guide |edition=4th |editor-last=Robbins |editor-first=Ira A. |year=1991 |publisher=Collier/Macmillan |location=New York |isbn=0-02-036361-3 |page=329 |url=http://www.trouserpress.com/entry.php?a=lone_justice }} Two singles fizzled – "Sweet, Sweet Baby (I'm Falling)" and "Ways To Be Wicked", the latter written by Tom Petty and Mike Campbell – and the album did not meet commercial expectations.
=Later era=
In the record's wake, Etzioni and Heffington went their separate ways, and McKee and Hedgecock assembled an all-new band.{{Cite news |last=Pareles |first=Jon |author-link=Jon Pareles |date=December 15, 1986 |title=Rock: Lone Justice |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1986/12/15/arts/rock-lone-justice.html |newspaper=The New York Times |accessdate=August 18, 2018 }} After enlisting guitarist Shane Fontayne, bassist Gregg Sutton, drummer Rudy Richman, and keyboardist Bruce Brody (formerly of the Patti Smith Group), Lone Justice recorded their second LP, Shelter. Steve Van Zandt was the producer, along with Jimmy Iovine and the band. 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, reaching only No. 65 on the album charts. However, the title single did better than the band's previous two singles, reaching No. 26 on the Rock Singles chart, and No. 47 on Billboard Hot 100 chart.
=Disbandment=
Less than a year after Shelter's release, McKee broke up the band for good in 1987 and went on to a solo career.{{Cite web |url=http://dbs-repercussion.blogspot.com/2018/01/lone-justice-band-on-verge-demos-live.html |title=Lone Justice – Band On the Verge (demos + live) |date=January 19, 2018 |website=dbs-repercussion.blogspot.com |accessdate=June 24, 2019 }}{{cite web|url=https://www.setlist.fm/setlists/lone-justice-43d66fcf.html|title=Lone Justice Concert Setlists & Tour Dates|website=setlist.fm|accessdate=June 24, 2019}} Heffington became a session drummer, while Etzioni recorded under the name "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.{{cite web|url=http://www.reverendguitars.com/artists/12-questions-with-shane-fontayne/|title=Reverendguitars.com. 12 Questions With Shanye Fontayne|accessdate=September 21, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160923014033/http://www.reverendguitars.com/artists/12-questions-with-shane-fontayne/|archive-date=September 23, 2016|url-status=dead}} After a decade removed from the music industry, Hedgecock returned in 1996 as half of the duo Parlor James.{{cite magazine|url=http://www.billboard.com/artist/307778/lone-justice/biography|title=Billboard.com. Lone Justice|magazine=Billboard|accessdate=September 21, 2016}}
A Lone Justice retrospective, This World Is Not My Home, was released in January 1999, featuring early demo recordings.{{Cite web |url=http://www.mtv.com/news/509947/lone-justice-offer-retrospective-cd/ |title=Lone Justice Offers Retrospective CD |author=Staff |date=December 4, 1998 |website=MTV.com |access-date=August 17, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180818021424/http://www.mtv.com/news/509947/lone-justice-offer-retrospective-cd/ |archive-date=August 18, 2018 |url-status=dead }} A budget compilation was issued in 2003 as part of Universal Music's 20th Century Masters series. Their 1985 performance of "Sweet, Sweet Baby (I'm Falling)" was released by BBC Video on The Old Grey Whistle Test Vol. 3 compilation DVD, 2004.{{cite AV media|title=The Old Grey Whistle Test Vol. 3|type=DVD|publisher=BBC Video|year=2004}} Between 2014 and 2019, Omnivore Recordings issued three retrospective releases consisting of demo and live recordings made in 1983: This Is Lone Justice: The Vaught Tapes, 1983 (2014), The Western Tapes, 1983 (2018), and Live at the Palomino, 1983 (2019).{{cite web |title=Omnivore Recordings To Release Rare Lone Justice Club Recordings With Live At The Palomino 1983|url=https://musictap.com/2019/03/19/omnivore-recordings-to-release-rare-lone-justice-club-recordings-with-live-at-the-palomino-1983/ |last=MARowe|website=Music Tap|date=March 19, 2019|accessdate=July 20, 2021}}
In March 2021, Heffington died of leukemia at age 70.{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2021/music/news/don-heffington-dead-drummer-roots-rock-1234937646/|title=Don Heffington, Lone Justice Member and L.A.'s Premier Roots-Rock Drummer, Dies at 70 |website=Variety|last=Willman |first=Chris |date=March 24, 2021|accessdate=July 11, 2021}}
Sutton died on October 22, 2023, at the age of 74.{{Cite web |last=Willman |first=Chris |date=2023-10-23 |title=Gregg Sutton, Songwriter-Musician Who Played With Artists From Lone Justice and Bob Dylan to Andy Kaufman, Dies at 74 |url=https://variety.com/2023/music/news/gregg-sutton-dead-songwriter-musician-lone-justice-andy-kaufman-1235765536/ |access-date=2023-10-23 |website=Variety |language=en-US}}
=Viva Lone Justice=
In May 2024 it was announced that a new 7” "Teenage Kicks" / "Nothing Can Stop My Loving You" will be available digitally from 28th May and physical release 12th July.
It's the first single from the album Viva Lone Justice.
= Albums =
= Live albums =
| class="wikitable" |
| rowspan="2"| Year
! rowspan="2"| Album ! colspan="3"| Chart Positions ! rowspan="2"| Label |
|---|
| style="width:50px;"| US Country
! style="width:50px;"| US ! style="width:50px;"| UK |
| 1994
| BBC Radio 1 Live in Concert | style="text-align:center;"| — | style="text-align:center;"| — | style="text-align:center;"| — | Windsong |
| 2019
| style="text-align:center;"| — | style="text-align:center;"| — | style="text-align:center;"| — | Omnivore |
= Compilation albums =
| class="wikitable" |
| rowspan="2"| Year
! rowspan="2"| Album ! colspan="3"| Chart Positions ! rowspan="2"| Label |
|---|
| style="width:50px;"| US Country
! style="width:50px;"| US ! style="width:50px;"| UK |
| 1999
| style="text-align:center;"| — | style="text-align:center;"| — | style="text-align:center;"| — | Geffen |
| 2003
| The Best of Lone Justice | style="text-align:center;"| — | style="text-align:center;"| — | style="text-align:center;"| — | Geffen, Chronicles |
| 2014
| This Is Lone Justice: The Vaught Tapes, 1983 | style="text-align:center;"| — | style="text-align:center;"| — | style="text-align:center;"| — | Omnivore |
= EPs =
- I Found Love — 1987 Limited Edition UK double 45RPM EP in gatefold cover on Geffen GEF18F – Includes the songs: "I Found Love" (studio), "If You Don't Like Rain" (studio), "Sweet Jane" (Live BBC Transcription Services recording) and "Don't Toss Us Away" (Live BBC Transcription Services recording).
- The Western Tapes, 1983 (2018){{cite web|url=https://www.amazon.com/Western-Tapes-1983-Lone-Justice/dp/B07HQ7LGKP|title=The Western Tapes, 1983 |work=Amazon |year=2020 }}
= Singles =
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- {{Discogs artist|Lone Justice}}
- {{IMDb name|id=3163000}}
{{Lone Justice}}
{{Maria McKee}}
{{Authority control}}
Category:1982 establishments in California
Category:1987 disestablishments in California
Category:Musical groups from Los Angeles
Category:Rock music groups from California
Category:Cowpunk musical groups
Category:American jangle pop groups
Category:American country rock groups
Category:Musical groups established in 1982
Category:Musical groups disestablished in 1987