Personnel:
Ian Hunter - lead vocals, acoustic guitar, piano, harmonica, backing vocals
Andy York - acoustic, electric, 12-string guitar, piano, banjo, ukulele, Wurlitzer, backing vocals, gang vocals
Steve Holley - drums, percussion, gang vocals
Graham Maby - bass, gang vocals
James Mastro - slide, electric, solo, Barytone, buzzsaw guitar, e-bow
Andy Burton - keyboards, Wurlitzer, organ, accordion, piano
Jack Petruzzelli - mando, electric, Leslie, Phaser guitar, Omnichord, Wah-Wah
Mark Bosch - solo guitar
Soozie Tyrell - strings
Peter Mushay - keyboards
Rick Tedesco - staccato piano
Tony Shanahan - upright bass
Mary Lee Kortes - vocals, backing vocals
Christine Ohlman - vocals, backing vocals
A. Buryon - gang vocals
Jesse Hunter Patterson - gang vocals
Dennis Dunaway - gang vocals
Jeff Tweedy - backing vocals
Release date: 15 May 2007
Running time: 50:31
Current edition: Jerkin' Crocus
Highest chart places: Did not chart.
Ian Hunter is about to unleash his unfiltered thoughts on the state of the world with a raw and fiery new album! It's been a long six years since we last heard new studio recordings from Hunter, and boy, has he been stewing in frustration. While Rant shook up the political landscape in the UK, this time he's setting his sights on the good ol' USA. With its short attention spans, endless texting, and painfully stilted conversations, modern life is about to face a reckoning. Prepare yourselves for an electrifying collection of eleven songs that will challenge your perspectives and ignite your inner fire. Hunter fearlessly takes on consumerism, crass dressing, politics, and everything in between, all while keeping a firm grasp on the personal and embracing a healthy dose of self-criticism. And let's not forget the album's title, my friends—it's a direct jab at those who voted for George W. Bush not once, but twice. To Hunter, that's like collecting a bunch of shrunken heads as trophies. But he doesn't stop there. He delves into the very heart of the issue: a system where the choice is between two crappy parties. It's as if the country is being run by a handful of giant corporations, and the average American is so caught up in the hustle of work and family that they're blissfully unaware of what's really going on. So get ready to dive headfirst into Hunter's unfiltered truth bombs, where he fearlessly exposes the absurdities of our world and challenges us all to wake up, take a stand, and demand better. It's time to shake off the blinders, my friends, and join Ian Hunter on this electrifying journey of revelation and rebellion.
In 2002 Hunter played British live dates as the "Takin' the Mick Tour" as Mick Ralphs guested on second guitar which was the first that the duo had played together in twenty-nine years. Ralphs enjoyed some of Hunter's material especially Rant songs and the pair let the band play the Mott songs as neither Hunter or Ralphs weren't really interested in visiting the past.
Ian moved forward. Hunter contributed a cover version of I Wish I Was Your Mother on the 2003 album From Hope by Martin's Folly. Then he did a brilliant mid-paced rocker One More Time ended with a repeat "Austin" refrain, echoing Ohio on Cleveland Rocks for the 2004 Por Vida: A Tribute to the Songs of Alejandro Escovedo. Escovedo is a fine musician himself but he is also a Hunter fan and covered some of Ian's songs. They met at a benefit in Chicago and got along well. Hunter heard that the Austin songwriter was really ill and a benefit CD project was proposed for Ian. Andy York reviewed numerous songs and this one was selected for Hunter. It was recorded at guitarist and producer Rick Tedesco's Studio with York, Steve Holley, and James Mastro for the Por Vida benefit album. Hunter's involvement is indicative of his support for Escovedo.
The 28th May 2004 gig at the Astoria in London was recorded and released by Secret Films/Secret Records on DVD (Just Another Night) and double CD (The Truth, the Whole Truth, Nuthin’ But the Truth). The band includes special guest Mick Ralphs from Mott days (and also of course Bad Company). Other members are Andy York (Guitar), Ian Gibbons (Keyboards), Steve Holley (Drums) and Gus Goad (Bass).
As 2004 ended Hunter appeared on Jools Holland's New Year's Eve Hootenanny BBC TV show. In 2005 Ian played harmonica for Ricky Warwick on The Almighty frontman's Love Many Trust Few album and toured for three months.
The Rant Band filled out with the addition of two musicians. Keyboard player Andy Burton first played for a charity event at the Mercury Lounge in NYC. At the first rehearsal and gig Burton's case handle broke but before he could grip it, Ian had already pitched in. Andy had never seen a lead singer or frontman ever help. Mark "M.C." Bosch, a mate of James Mastro's, who was going to call Mastro after hearing Rant, asking if he needed anyone, but ironically the same day Mastro called him first asking if he was available for Hunter gigs. His first show was in Santa Ana, CA on 10 March 2005.
Some recognition by peers was forthcoming. On 4 October 2005 Hunter was awarded Classic Rock's inaugural "Classic Songwriter" award. On 23 June 2006 Ian played NYC's Beacon Theater with Robert Plant billed as "We're Doing It for Love," the gig was benefit for Arthur Lee, the ailing leader of innovator LA band Love. Plant and Ian's duet was the classic Everly Brothers, When Will I Be Loved. The Brothers scored a #8 hit single with the song in the summer of 1960 and the benefit song was acclaimed as "heavy-glam Everly Brothers." Hunter also sings There Ain't No Cure on Christine Ohlman's album, The Deep End.
Ian Hunter On Track for Sonicbond Publishing, TheDoctorOfDigital@pm.me
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