The Villains

The Villains, an Atlanta-based outfit steeped in the classic rock traditions of Tom Petty, the Band, and Pure Prairie League, first sharpened their abilities while working as studio musicians. Magno, Dan Call, Sean McNally, and Michael Wilkes had already crossed paths backing both mainstream and indie artists on tour and in the studio, yet each longed for a more original creative vehicle. The arrival of Jimmy James Schmitt supplied the group with a commanding frontman who also doubled as vocalist and songwriter; after playing a string of shows across Georgia, the band finally entered the studio. Their self-titled debut, issued in early 2010, contained two tracks co-written with Peter Stroud, guitarist for Sheryl Crow and Don Henley. Rock Ridge Music reissued the album that summer as Just Another Saturday Night, appending a cover of Pure Prairie League’s “Amie” at the close of the track list. The band then toured as openers for Blues Traveler and Sister Hazel. Velocity, their 2012 follow-up, appeared on Toucan Cove, a Universal imprint, and was produced by Stan Lynch, whose prior credits included Tom Petty and the Eagles. The much-anticipated third studio album, A Little Something for the Pain, arrived in 2014 and featured the hit single “Save the World.”