Spent Brass was formed around a single idea at the convergence of the combat veteran’s experience and the world of rock-n-roll. It’s also a visceral response to what Dan Schilling experienced when listening to a song by an alt rock band that portrayed military veterans, particularly American veterans, as war criminals. When he realized just how unjustifiably damning and far from reality this absolute sh*t tune was, he set out to right this insult to every nation’s finest citizens.

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The problem as he saw it was that even musicians wishing to pay tribute to the experience of the combat veteran tended to shoot wide of the mark. They leaned toward the heavy ballad, introducing somber tones and heartfelt lyrics full of honor and praise. But no veteran Dan knew played those songs, whether when reflecting upon their experiences, or when in the company of fellow vets.

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That’s because to go to war requires rock-n-roll. Even to this day warriors preparing to “get it on” on the battlefield play music that pumps them up, regardless of their preferred genre, such as hip hop, rap, or rock. Led Zeppelin, AC/DC, and Metallica are all staples from Dan’s 30-year career in special operations and continue to play on battlefields today.

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What was needed to capture the desire (because young and untested warriors do want to go to war), experience of combat, and aftermath of the modern fighter’s journey was a rock-n-roll epic. In 2020 Dan set forth the story contained in in the dual song Sons of War /Veteran in lyric form based on his personal history. It includes the devastation of combat death and the tragedy of veteran suicide, both deeply personal topics to him. After a few stalled efforts with various musicians, he reached out to singer, guitarist and engineer Duane Hibbard.

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The friends agreed they would collaborate, with the desire to capture in song the aspiration, realization, and aftermath of modern warfare. After a year working back and forth shaping themes and styles, they finalized their fusion of word with note over one long weekend. What emerged is a rock powered combat anthem in the spirit and style of Rush lyricist Neil Peart that also incorporates the timelessness of 1970s era rock-n-roll.

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Over the summer of 2022 they hired Emmy award winning recording engineer and producer Michael Parnin and his famed blAcksound studios and collected the most talented LA session musicians they could muster. Every person who contributed to this song recognizes its importance and you can feel it in their delivery.

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What you hear here are deep and timeless themes that flow through the course of the combat vet’s journey there and back, infused with the heartfelt dedication these musicians have to honor service members who give all for their country and who sometimes pay the ultimate price. Dan and Duane, who comprise the entirety of Spent Brass, hope that you can find something in this anthem, whether as a combat vet (of any country) or as someone who’s the beneficiary of their sacrifice.