US hard rockers Who On Earth return with their take on ‘Jane’, a cover version of the 1979 hit single by Jefferson Starship that subsequently opened that band’s ‘Freedom At Point Zero’ album issued in November of that year.
“It’s no secret that we are influenced by the best rock and metal of the past, as it’s evident in every song we’ve written,” states bassist and Who On Earth co-founder Pete Rizzi. “We’ve been called ‘retro’ and we’re fine with that. We wear it like a badge of honour. Recording ‘Jane’ is our way of saluting this fact, as well as bringing back an absolute classic with a fresh perspective and modern production.”
The new single is the first release by Who On Earth since the six song ‘Smoke & Mirrors’ EP in March 2025 STREAM and comes exactly three years after the release of their acclaimed debut album, ‘Blame’ STREAM. The group are currently preparing a new full-length record for release in early 2026.
Picking up the torch for hard rock and heavy metal with real grit and gusto, the New Jersey-based Who On Earth have become renowned for delivering a powerful combination of hard-hitting hooks and airtight instrumentation bolted down with pummeling grooves and piercing riffs.
“We wanted to fill in the blank of ‘Who On Earth is going to bring back good rock and metal?” explains Rizzi. “We grew up on the new wave of British heavy metal and classic rock. We then lived through grunge, hair metal and the great bands of the ’90s and early ’00s. Each era has a sliver of the pie chart that comprises our collective influence. We wanted to resurrect the melodies, hooks and guitar solos. We have returned to our roots yet upgraded everything with modern production.”
Rizzi and vocalist Coosh had started out playing covers as MadHaus, but eventually hit the studio as Who On Earth to record an album of new songs with Mike Orlando (Category 7, Adrenaline Mob) at his Sonic Stomp Studio in New York, enduring enforced COVID delays as they recorded ‘Blame’, which nodded with horns up to influences such as Black Sabbath, Iron Maiden, Metallica, Alice in Chains and Tool.
A series of subsequent singles included a refreshing, heavy version of ‘Hold The Line’ by Toto, replacing the original’s keyboard parts with guitars and adding double bass drums, new guitar solos and tasteful bass elaboration. It is the band’s most-streamed song to date and is included on the ‘Smoke & Mirrors’ EP.
The band had lost their beloved guitarist Bruce Gatewood to heart disease shortly after recording ten songs in July 2024. Devastated by the loss, they emerged from a trying time having decided to forge on, making it their mission to honour his passing by promoting the new music they had created together.
Ultimately, the mission of Who On Earth is to fill a void for gimmick free hard rock ‘n’ roll. “We just try to write good songs and we’ve gone back to what we grew up on. It’s still valuable and relevant. It can’t die,” adds Rizzi. “We want to inspire younger people to play this style and are trying to pass on the tradition,” concludes Coosh.
WHO ON EARTH
Coosh – vocals
Pete Rizzi – bass
Howie Fallon – drums
Johnny James Barone – guitar
Jimmy Kocha – drums
WHO ON EARTH
JANE
new single
out now
(WoeToYou Music)
stream
