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.
Their recently released single Miles In-Between, (Golden Robot Records) is a hark back to the glory days of hair metal, and one listen will transform you right back to when the Sunset Strip was THE place to be. Today Ghosts of Sunset share the music video for the track, which was recorded in quarantine, bringing the band members together via the wonders of modern technology.
The track features John Merchant (Vocals, Guitar), Todd Long (Bass, Harmoney Vocals), Johnny Monaco (Ex Enuff Z’Nuff – Lead Guitar), Kent Slucher (Luke Bryan – Drums) and Brian Roth (Keyboards).
“The story behind Miles In Between is once you’ve signed the big record deal, it’s time to take it on the road and share it with the world. The road is unrelenting. It changes lives, crushes relationships and can lead a trail of career ending destruction” – Ghosts of Sunset
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”.
