robin dean salmon
Gig Seeker Pro

robin dean salmon

| INDIE

| INDIE
Band Americana Singer/Songwriter

Calendar

This band has not uploaded any videos
This band has not uploaded any videos

Music

Press


"Gasloline Press Highlights"

ROBIN DEAN SALMON “GASOLINE”



“Each song is solidly written and performed, all the ingredients are there. Miles better than the normal ‘big-hat’ crap.”
David Cowling – AMERICANA UK

“This is certainly a Texas record and a record that strengthens that genre. Rodney Crowell appears on ‘Maybe I Do’ and he certainly puts his signature tone on the track.”
THOMAS MARTIN – ENIGMA

“Making a solid contribution to the Americana genre. Recorded in Nashville by Eric Fritch, and produced by the artist himself, they manage to get the most out of every tune, as almost every track sounds like it would sit comfortably on country radio. Robin Dean Salmon’s "Gasoline" starts out strong and doesn't let up.”
KEVIN ZARNETT – MUSES MUSE

“Do you like your country, country? As in, free of the schlocky pop and fakery which seems to pervade much of today's mainstream country music? Then Robin Dean Salmon is your man. Salmon rides with the traditional honky-tonk style of country & western with just a touch of old time rock-n-roll attitude. His songs would fit well in just about any dive between Jacksonville and Amarillo, the perfect soundtrack for your favorite roadhouse.”
MISH MASH INDIE MUSIC REVIEW

------------------------------------------





- Mixed


"Older Press/Blurbs"

PRESS AND HIGHLIGHTS I WAS ABLE TO DIG UP
Robin Salmon has always worn a few hats. As owner/operator of FMG Music Studio and singer/songwriter/ frontman for rock band Christopher Robin, he juggled his duties daily. The entrepreneur altered his wardrobe considerably last year when he and his band slipped into 10-gallon cowboy headgear as they shifted to the Jack West moniker. It was more than just a fashionable change of threads; this was a visual indication Salmon was abandoning the alt-pop world for a rootsy honky-tonk approach. Of course, it wasn't as if Christopher Robin -- which he started in 1997 -- was exactly burning up the charts. But by the middle of 2000, their complex tunes just didn't inspire Salmon any more. "I stopped having as much fun playing alternative pop. My philosophy has always been to follow my heart. I saw Mike Ness and for the first time since the mid-'80s in CBGB's I felt this rush of raw power." Last year, Salmon, whose family moved from South Africa to the largest ranch in America when he was 12, began writing tunes in a stripped-down country style. It was an abrupt departure from the full-bodied (some say bloated) technique to which he was accustomed. Robin's band did some low-key shows and were amazed at the energy and the response for the new/old sound. As for the name, Salmon says, "We needed something strong like Clint Eastwood or John Wayne." The band's recently released 13-track debut, Gunslinger, fits comfortably into the current crop of alt-country traditionalists. Salmon finds the strict parameters of the simple three- or four-chord C&W songwriting format an enjoyable challenge. "With the alternative stuff, there were no limits. I wanted to take the tunes back to where every song you write could be torn down to a guy with an acoustic guitar sitting on a front porch." -Hal Horowitz

Jack West is a rollicking honky-tonk ensemble with 10-gallon hats on their heads and enough rockin' thunder under their belts to scare Hank Jr. himself straight out of the arena. -Gregory Nicoll

"GUNSLINGER fits comfortably into the current crop of alt-country traditionalists."- Hal Horowitz -

" Robin Salmon returns with Suicide Alley a milder, more nuanced, but no less tuneful take on Jack West's Old 97's style C&W."-Roni Sarig-creative loafing

"This CD is worth checking out. Not only do you get 16 songs for the buck, but you get variety, the band sounds like what might happen if Lou Reed married Metallica on the Jersey Shore, with U2 for godparents. On each song, you can actually believe this band - their energy and dedication fly right off the disc. Two particular standouts are "Run" and " whisper ", both ballads. " Run " mixes piano, acoustic guitar and harmonica in a way that stirs up the same depth as Neil Young's classic Harvest album, and " Whisper " sounds primed to put a dent in VH1's rotation. The CD jumps around from alternative to pop to solid rock, and although the band may be called Christopher Robin, there's no " Pooh "on here. These guys rock and their CD is a keeper.
-Karen Lee - southeast performer-

SEE NO EVIL PRESS
Memorable melodies and a driving beat. - Ira Robbins- Rolling Stone

Straight ahead rockers have a potential drawing card in vocalist Robin Salmon, who counts Jim Morrison and U2's Bono among his apparant influences but still cuts it as a distinctive front man. - Billboard -

See No Evil secrete an intense integrity and emotion that can only be compared to the aura that surrounds U2. Robin has the pressence and makings of a cult hero with a message. - Details -

No gimmicks, the sort of music you can listen to for extended periods of time. The songs are polished, the lyrics intelligent but not pretentious. - Karen Woods - Cash Box -

See No Evil is a band with something to say and a lot worth listening to. Lead singer, songwriter Robin Salmon writes songs leagues more interesting than anything Bon Jovi could come up with on their most pensive day - Gwen Holt - Illinois Entertainer -

Aggresive, razor sharp inspired songs that relate to love, fate, and being free and the desperation of reality. - Doug Gill - Maryland Musician -

Salmon's songs address, in broad terms, some of life's misfortunes bringing them to light while relaying the hopeful message that they can be overcome. - Michelle Stewert - Muse -

Deeply rooted in the sound and sensibility of such seminal bands of the late 70's like Television. Being a gutsy, rough-edged, post 70's new wave punker suits See No Evil's honcho Salmon best. - Brad Belfour - Rockpool -


- Mixed


"Advertiser UK"

“Gasoline” (Paul Street Records) is Robin’s seventh album and one that proves he has a place in country music. The 13 original songs are well crafted and Salmon proves he has learned much from life on numbers like the touching ballad “When You Have It All”, the foot-tapping “Still In Love With You” and the story of the “Broken Down Car”. The first single is “Maybe I Do”, recorded as a duet with Robin’s main influence Rodney Crowell." - Advertiser UK


"freight train boogie"

As soon as the needle hits the first groove, or whatever the equivalent would be in today’s CD age, it’s obvious that Robin Dean Salmon has neither lost his touch nor come anywhere near hitting the bottom of his creativity barrel. His latest offering consists of fifteen originals, and once again he’s got too many noteworthy sidemen to list here providing backup. His feet are firmly planted in the alternative country vein, with an occasional foray into traditional terrain with a song such as the title track, or rockabilly, with “Last Train” and the closing cut “Daddy Is A Short Man”. Salmon’s songs run the emotional gamut from pensive reflection, patriotism, (with some provisos), to the sheer joy of just for the hell of it rock n’ roll of “Arizona Rain”. You might hear some echoes of other artists herein but the finished product is ultimately pure RDS. - freight train boogie


"SOUTHEAST PERFROMER"

SOUTHEAST PERFORMER MAGAZINE
Robin Dean Salmon - Gasoline
Engineered by Eric Fritsch
Mastered by Jim Demain for Yes Master
Produced by Robin Dean Salmon at Eastwood Studios in Nashville, TN

Robin Dean Salmon's latest effort, Gasoline, is the perfect album to help country music lovers to ease their rocker friends into the country genre. While the album is unmistakably embedded in Salmon's country and bluegrass roots, his punk music background is also evident. Gasoline deftly showcases Salmon's Texas roots and the influence of Johnny Cash and Bob Wills. The entire album is heavy on guitars, piano, fiddle, and backup vocalists. Yet the high energy of Gasoline keeps the songs from blending together, replaying the same sound over and over. The band's punk influence is evident on the track "When I Find You" as the beats drive the chorus. On the track "Baby Please Try," the fiddle's minor chords match the emotion of Salmon's voice. "Still in Love with You" has the up-tempo drive and fun lyrics to wean the rocker into bluegrass territory. Salmon's lyrics match the sound well. While some songs are poetic, many are humorous and have playful hints of sarcasm. Several mention drowning sorrows in the proverbial whiskey bottle. Whether it is bourbon, rum, vodka, or whiskey, the belief in alcohol as panacea to love's troubles is a well-worn universal. When first listening to this album, it is impossible to imagine this singer as a resident player at the legendary CBGBs in New York. Yet that punk intensity translates well, transforming what could have been an everyday country song into something that music lovers outside of Nashville can easily enjoy. (Self-released)
-Allyson Wells-

- SOUTHEAST PERFORMER


"ROOTS MUSIC REPORT"

" Robin Dean Salmon seems to have written every song on this album with a style that reflects the fact that he has more than paid his dues whilst performing them the same way.
His new release “Gasoline” has a bit of a raunchy feel that is simply kick ass.
RMR loves this CD and we are confident that any Roots/Americana country fan will agree with our opinion of this new album."ROOTS MUSIC REPORT
- ROOTS MUSIC REPORT


Discography

Critical Mass-Fall Out (Reaction Records). SEE NO EVIL (Epic Records). SEE NO EVIL-Songs (Epic Records). CHRISTOPHER ROBIN (FMG MUSIC). JACK WEST-Gunslinger (FMG MUSIC). JACK WEST-Suicide Alley (FMG MUSIC). ROBIN DEAN SALMON-Gasoline (Paul Street Records).

Photos

Bio

ROBIN DEAN SALMON
Robin Salmon is an anthropologist of sorts. At times living the life of a gypsy, traveling the world, amassing the experiences it would take most several lifetimes to accumulate. From this he has developed an intrinsic understanding of what it means to be human. A base insight that somehow eludes most, perhaps due to lack of awareness or just simple indifference. It is songwriters like Salmon who help us to look at ourselves and this world in which we live with a bit more clarity.
Born in Durban South Africa, Robin Salmon came of age in a disjointed country plagued by violence and political turmoil. His father was a karate master carrying the distinguished and seldom bestowed title of Shihan. First training with the Japanese dock workers at the shipping yards and later with the masters in Japan, Salmon’s father went on to found, own and operate the only Budoryu Karate school in South Africa. Salmon’s mother was a jewelry artisan and partner in the family’s safari expedition company but most importantly the circulatory system of the family; the heartbeat and life force behind the machine. His father’s disaccord with the apartheid favoring government led to a pending threat of him becoming a banned person, which at the time carried the sentencing of house arrest that was doggedly enforced. The family fled to America in 1977, settling outside of San Antonio on the largest long horn cattle ranch in the country. Life was reinvented and the way of the rancher instilled in the fabric of young Salmon. Spending the impressionable years of a young man’s life in the Texas hill country in the early 80’s, Salmon’s musical roots were a cross pollination of musical legends Bob Wills, Johnny Cash and Marty Robbins and the contemporaries of punk rock, The Sex Pistols, U2, The Clash and The Ramones. At 15 Salmon got his first guitar, wrote his first song and realized life as a performer was an inescapable dream.
Fresh out of high school Salmon formed the band, See No Evil, which would later prove to be a success for it’s four young members. While the band was living in Austin and playing every obliging hole in the wall, Salmon penned a song for International Youth Year, a festival held by the General Assembly at the United Nations in New York. The opportunity to perform live before the United Nations, and the intoxication of the vitality and grit that was the New York in the 80’s, Salmon and his fellow See No Evil members packed up and moved their outfit to the city. While living in a Greek Community of Queens and surviving on white rice and kool-aid, the band played steady gigs at the infamous CBGB. At one of these late night gigs legendary producer Richard Robinson of Lou Reed and David Johnson notoriety discovered the young musicians. Impressed with the band and particularly Salmon’s songwriting, Robinson secured the band a deal with Epic that would produce two records. See No Evil and Songs, both produced by Robinson, were released to rave reviews. Rolling Stone described See No Evil as having, “memorable melodies and a driving beat”. Details Magazine said they “secrete an intense integrity and emotion that can only be compared to the aura that surrounds U2. Robin has the presence and makings of a cult hero with a message”. Rockpool characterized the band as being “deeply rooted in the sound and sensibility of such seminal bands of the late 70's like Television. Being a gutsy, rough-edged, post 70's new wave punker suits See No Evil's honcho Salmon best”. Nominated for 3 prestigious New York Music Awards, the band toured tirelessly until 1992 when Salmon was in a motorcycle accident that nearly ended his life. Faced with months of rehabilitation and an arduous recovery, the New York City winters and brazen population was something Salmon was not eager to endure. A lover of the balmy comforts of the south and her soulful music, he relocated to Atlanta.
The inception of FMG Studios, affectionately named for his dog Fat Muddy George, came from the desire to wear the hat of both recording artists and producer. During FMG studios existence, Salmon produced over 40 records spanning virtually every musical genre from Baptist gospel records to heavy metal. He also released several independent records of his own; a 1994 acoustic album Aiming for the Sun and 1997's High Energy Alternative Power Pop with his then band Christopher Robin. Evolution as an artist is inevitable and Salmon was no exception with his shift from Punk Rock Manhattanite to the roots infused sound of a Bohemian balladeer. Referencing his Texas roots and country influences, Salmon released 2 albums under the name Jack West, Gunslinger and Suicide Alley, both applauded by the critics. Hal Horowitz of Creative Loafing said, “Gunslinger fits comfortably into the current crop of alt-country traditionalists”. Greogory Nicoll described Jack West as “a rollicking honky-tonk ensemble with 10-gallon hats on their heads and enough rockin' thunder un