Ghosts of Sunset features rock veterans John Merchant and Todd Long who have made music for 30+ years for 615 Records Nashville, IDOL/RCA records, and independently.
Never Goodbye (out now via Golden Robot Records) is the follow up to the recently released single Miles In Between is another 80’s inspired Hollywood hair metal styled gem. The track features John Merchant (Vocals), Todd Long (Guitar), Tracii Guns (L.A. Guns – Lead Guitar), Bruno Ravel (Danger Danger – Bass), Adam Hamilton (ex-Tuff – Drums) , Brian Roth (Keyboards) and Patrick Kennison (Lita Ford – Harmony Vocals).
“What do you do when your shelf life is up and the writing is on the wall? You have to go back to your roots and find your true self! You just say goodnight, never goodbye!” – Todd Long
Ghosts of Sunset is the project of singer-songwriter John Merchant from Western Michigan, singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist Todd Long.
Their upcoming EP Headed West features the work of both Merchant and Long (who have made music for 30+ years for 615 Records Nashville, IDOL/RCA records, and independently) as well as a cast of musicians with their roots in the 1980’s hard rock/hair metal scene. The duo brought in outside musicians with resumes that include L.A. Guns, RATT, Enuff Znuff, KIX, Lita Ford, and more to complete the EP. Renowned producer Adam Hamilton (Missing Persons, L.A. Guns, Vains of Jenna, William Shatner, David Hasselhoff) was brought in to mix and contribute keyboards.
The concept takes a fictional Midwestern band and traces their move to Los Angeles, their rise to national touring artist and their decline as tastes and the industry itself changes. The story which has become common fodder for shows such as Behind the Music spoke to both Merchant and Long who came of age during the golden era which became known as “hair metal”. A term speaks to what many saw as a focus on style over substance.
The EP will be released globally by Golden Robot Records, presents the songs in chronological order and the listener not only takes the journey via the lyrics, but also in the production style and writing maturation process. As the six song EP moves along, the tone darkens, the themes reflect the bands disillusionment before ultimately circling back to making music for the “love of the game”.
Stream/buy Never Goodbye HERE
