Clean
Up The Blood
mixes the soul, dynamics, and grit of traditional American roots and blues
music with a nod at modern society and stories of modern living. The album was
recorded live at Atkinson’s own Bigtone Studios using vintage gear and
all-analog equipment from the 1940s and 1950s, creating an original sound born
of 1950s gospel, blues, rock-n-roll and more.
The Atomic Road Kings is the project of two musical
powerhouses; veteran Orange County harmonica man Eric “Jailhouse” Von Herzen,
long-time side man for Walter Trout, Social Distortion, Kid Ramos, Junior
Watson, and the 44s, among others; and the brilliant young
multi-instrumentalist Big Jon Atkinson, also the back-up guitarist for Kim
Wilson’s solo project.
Atkinson’s raw vocals and moody guitar and Von
Herzen’s rich harmonica tones create the perfect vehicle for Atkinson’s
word-wise lyrics. There is no roots band today that more masterfully builds on
the tradition of classic American music, deeply authentic enough to thrill any purist, while musically sophisticated
enough to please the most contemporary audiences.
