Ricky Byrd, formerly of Joan Jett & The Blackhearts, is stepping out on his own with Lifer, his debut solo album. The record is slated for release on February 5th on Kayos Records.

Byrd has made his name for years as a member of the Blackhearts, but he promises that Lifer will be a record that draws more from the music that inspired him than the music that he made a living on. “My main goal with this record was to try and craft songs with the same heart and soul that filled the music I listened to in my parents’ apartment in the Bronx,” Byrd said about the record.

What music is Byrd talking about? The singer cites The Rolling Stones, The Who and Mott The Hoople as major influences, along with early soul and R&B records and episodes of the Honeymooners. (We’ll have to wait and see if he incorporates any Ralph Kramden words of wisdom into his lyrics…) Byrd promises a more musically colorful affair than one would expect from him, incorporating Stax-style horn sections and soul-derived backing vocals to go with the guitar-bass-drums combination.

Lifer comes out on February 5th. Pre-orders are being taken on Ricky Byrd’s website.