Marty Bohannon - A Scar Is Born (2025) Hi-Res

The Bohannons are one of Chattanooga’s finest exports, who make heavy rock ’n’ roll that’s equal parts Motörhead and Neil Young, with lead guitar chops that rival both.

The Bohannon brothers go solo with fine results. Marty and Matt Bohannon are brothers from Chattanooga, Tennessee. After over twenty years of playing together and delivering some mighty southern rock, they decided to split for a while. Rather than one Bohannon album, we get two solo projects released simultaneously. Expecting to hear two very similar records, we have been served two completely different dishes using similar ingredients but from a different recipe.

First up is Marty Bohannon, with his brilliantly titled “A Scar Is Born.” It’s a ten out of ten title, and there’s no Streisand in sight. With some excellent guitar work, this set has stayed closer to the brothers’ usual music. Track two, ‘Josephine’, conjures the feeling of 80’s indie pop with the jangling guitar. There is even a sense of the Scottish band Big Country in there.

‘Dam Builder Locksmith’ includes further excellent guitar work and lyrically explores the struggle to make it as a musician. Bohannon sings, “Maybe one day I will be a locksmith, and I will change out your locks”, looking to a day when his musical adventure is potentially over. ‘Learn to Swing’ opens with the line “Hell ain’t got no windows, heaven ain’t got no floor”. Bohannon explores turning your back on the Nashville music scene. Certainly a potential crowd pleaser live.

‘Shotgun Shell’ gives us an analogy of life many may identify with. “Well I am an old shotgun shell / My primer has blown my casing to hell”. Hopefully not autobiographical as there is plenty left in the Marty Bohannon’s shell. “A Scar Is Born” ends with the swaying ‘Landline’, which has a beautiful change of pace that takes you by surprise into a swaying chorus and the line “I will see you again my friend”.