Back in 2012, CJ Ramone and long time Ramones crew member Gene Frawley came to us and asked us to help get his debut solo album pressed and out there, making sure CJ had records to sell when he hit the road. This wasn’t a Ramones nostalgia trip—though of course CJ and his band obliged the fans with the requisite classics — this was a mission to write and record albums in his own right, that could sit proudly in a Ramones fan’s collection; carrying on the legacy left by his fallen brothers. So, with the Pirates being the RAMONES diehards we are, it was a no-brainer! American Beauty is CJ Ramone’s third solo album and was recorded again with Steve Soto and Dan Root, with Pete Sosa (Street Dogs) taking over on drums. This effort crackles with the spirit of ’76 and once again, the sound and vibe of classic Ramones records. CJ and his band toured the world extensively in between albums. Playing shows with the new generation of bands wasn't lost on CJ. He lent backing vocals to a track on a Night Birds album, and now, on his own record, got contributions from Big Eyes frontwoman Kate Eldridge and the horn section of Mariachi El Bronx on an unexpected and moving cover of Tom Waits’ “Pony." Side A

1. Let’s Go

2. Yeah Yeah Yeah

3. You’ll Never Make Me Believe

4. Before the Lights Go Out

5. Girlfriend in a Graveyard

6. Tommy’s Gone

Side B

1. Run Around

2. Steady As She Goes

3. Without You

4. Be a Good Girl

5. Moral t