Spent Brass was formed around the convergence of the combat veteran’s experience and the world of rock-n-roll. It’s also a response when Dan listened to an alt rock band song that portrayed military veterans, particularly Americans, as war criminals.
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The problem in his mind was that even musicians wishing to pay tribute to veterans missed the target. They leaned toward heavy ballads, with heartfelt lyrics full of honor and praise. But no veteran Dan knew played those songs, whether when reflecting upon their experiences, or in the company of fellow vets.
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That’s because going to war requires rock-n-roll. Warriors preparing to “get it on” play music that pumps them up, regardless of genre. Led Zeppelin, AC/DC, and Metallica are all staples from Dan’s 30-year career and continue to play on battlefields today.
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In 2020 Dan set down the dual rock-n-roll epic Sons of War /Veteran. It includes the devastation of combat and the tragedy of veteran suicide. After a few stalled efforts with various musicians, he reached out to singer, guitarist, and engineer Duane Hibbard and Spent Brass was born. Over the summer of 2022 they hired Emmy award winning engineer and producer Michael Parnin and collected the most talented LA session musicians they could muster.

 

They followed that up with Goin’ Home and Rock and Roll. The first is about longing for that which you leave behind when you deploy. The last about the exhilaration of combat.