The (in)famous squabbling that caused consternation amongst Quireboys members seems to be over. One mainstay of the original lineup, Guy Griffin, backed ably by guitarist Paul Guerin, keyboard player Keith Weir and the rhythm section of Nick Malling (bass) and his brother Pip (drums) has decided he just wants to get back to the music. The sharp-eyed will recognise members of Down ’n’ Outz.
With a nod to the Quireboys album, the band is called Black Eyed Sons and they have new music awaiting your ears called Cowboys In Pinstriped Suits. With Down ’n’ Outz featuring so highly it is no surprise to see Joe Elliott guest starring on the title track alongside Roxy Ryan and Chip Z’Nuff. Numerous other stars appear too including Charlie Starr (Blackberry Smoke), Josh Todd and Stevie, Dan Reed, Scotti Hill (Skid Row) and Mike Tramp. This is still very much the band’s own work however and the lead-off track, ’Lie To Me’ is like the glorious Faces (70s English rock band) at their peak with a hint of the ‘Boys inevitably. But, importantly, this is quality rock with carefully constructed layers of piano, slide and harmonica melding with Guy’s impassioned vocals. ’Medicine’ is gentler (almost) country rock but with a biting riff and chorus that lifts it so high. ‘Fooling’ Yourself’ is like the Faces and pre-hair Whitesnake joined together for the best in rhythm and blues…superb.
‘Autumn Reigns’ delivers the obligatory ballad. Then the title track, the lyrics hark back to the heady days of “Lizard Kings, Thin White Dukes and platform shoes” and embody the era with a suitably effective musical background and a great guitar solo.
My favourite however has to be the longest track (over six minutes) that takes blues with proper r’n’b and a unique reading by this great band – ‘Your True Colours’ gets better on every listen as the clever structure unpeels and the equally clever lyrics unreels.
Eleven tracks and not one a skipper… make no mistake, this isn’t Quireboys, this is a new band of quality, making great music together – give it a try and then buy.
Cowboys In Pinstriped Suits is out on 28th January 2025 via Off Yer Rocker.
