Band Photo Credit: Paja Hartmanova
If you grew up a fan of rock music in the ‘80s, you were in either one of two camps that knew all about the cool funk-rock band from Portland, Oregon called The Dan Reed Network, or you missed the phenom entirely.
Led by their vocalist, rhythm guitarist, and principle songwriter, Dan Reed, they released numerous well-received records that fused ‘70s funk with ‘80s shred and pop attitudes. For some insane rhythm section groove and pop rock fun, check out their first two full-length records, Dan Reed Network and Slam, or if you want a darker vibe with more social commentary, check out their stunning third release, The Heat.
The band took a break for some years while Reed released some equally compelling solo records that presented a more chill, singer-songwriter vibe, and today, Reed continues to release more records with the Dan Reed Network, and now his latest band, Shogun Mojo.
What started out as some casual jamming with longtime friend, guitarist Tommy Thayer of Black n’ Blue and Kiss fame, turned into a group project that includes Bengt Jonasson and Robert Ikiz from Reed’s solo band.
Shogun Mojo carries on the funk rock attitude that will be readily familiar to DRN fans, but the overall record has more of a ‘70s, bluesy, hard rock vibe than the glitz that adorned ‘80s DRN output. Fans of Reed’s classic material will find love at first beat from the record opener, “Funk Party.” It’s a reprise of the Network’s first song on their first album, and I’ll just leave it at that.
Tommy Thayer. Wow! You either know him from playing classic KISS material or his Black n’ Blue metal output, but you haven’t heard him like this! Who knew he was such a great classic rock and funk rock player? This record definitely shines some attention on a player who strikes an odd blend of being really well known and simultaneously under the radar.
As for Bengt and Robert: Hey. If you’re going to play with Dan Reed, you’re either going to be a kick-ass rhythm section or you won’t be playing with him. Well, they have a few more records planned for this lineup, so yeah, there’s great musical chemistry here.
The record has a great live performance vibe, a bluesy swagger mixed with a dose of classic funk, and a general positive rock attitude. It’s a treat all the way through, and we loved other cool tracks like “Turn it Up” and a very cool reinterpretation of the classic Phil Collins song, “In the Air Tonight.”
Check out our conversation with Dan Reed. We talked about the making of this record, took a really cool trip down classic DRN memory lane, and more.
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| Genre: | Blues hard rock, '70s funk rock |
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