Album
Black Eyed Sons
Cowboys In Pinstriped Suits
Independent (label)
31 January 2025 (released)
31 January 2025
What do you get when you combine five members of The Quireboys in a new collective? A raucous blast of sheer rock n roll energy tempered with the experience of years touring with the likes of Guns n Roses, Rolling Stones, Aerosmith, Whitesnake, Roger Daltrey and Bon Jovi.
From the outset, this album bristles with unrestrained power, a glorious sense of old fashioned joy – these guys sound like they are having a great time and the result transfers to the listener too.
The band consists of: Guy Griffin (lead vocals/guitar), Paul Guerin (guitar), Keith Weir (keyboards), Nick Mailing (bass), Pip Mailing (drums).
All of them were members of the Quireboys at different times but they also have a wealth of experience playing with the likes of Steve Earl, Mott the Hoople, Black Crowes, Georgia Satellites, Joe Elliott’s Down n Outz, James Burton and many others.
Their sound is best described as a meeting point between the Stones, the Faces and the Black Crowes – riffs abound, the keyboards (especially the piano) deliver a really danceable element to the sound and Guy Griffin’s vocals are raw but textured – he can cope with a straight rocker like the title song or a softer number such as ‘So Glorious’ with equal aplomb and on a ballad like ‘Can’t Put Your Arms Around A Memory’ he carries real emotion.
The Mailing twins deliver the low end of the band’s sound, and their playing is excellent – Nick’s bass is delicious, and Pip’s drums are solid when needed and have a delicacy at other times.
There are a few standouts, although there really isn’t a weak number here. ‘Lie To Me’ is a ballsy rocker with a very Faces feel to it, ‘Autumn Reigns’ (featuring Blackberry Smoke) is a beautiful ballad with some gorgeous lap slide and I would suggest will be a great live number.
For me, the track that really made me get up and dance around the room was ‘Savoir Faire’, it just sums up all the best things about the band.
Love every minute of this album – more please.
From the outset, this album bristles with unrestrained power, a glorious sense of old fashioned joy – these guys sound like they are having a great time and the result transfers to the listener too.
The band consists of: Guy Griffin (lead vocals/guitar), Paul Guerin (guitar), Keith Weir (keyboards), Nick Mailing (bass), Pip Mailing (drums).
Their sound is best described as a meeting point between the Stones, the Faces and the Black Crowes – riffs abound, the keyboards (especially the piano) deliver a really danceable element to the sound and Guy Griffin’s vocals are raw but textured – he can cope with a straight rocker like the title song or a softer number such as ‘So Glorious’ with equal aplomb and on a ballad like ‘Can’t Put Your Arms Around A Memory’ he carries real emotion.
The Mailing twins deliver the low end of the band’s sound, and their playing is excellent – Nick’s bass is delicious, and Pip’s drums are solid when needed and have a delicacy at other times.
There are a few standouts, although there really isn’t a weak number here. ‘Lie To Me’ is a ballsy rocker with a very Faces feel to it, ‘Autumn Reigns’ (featuring Blackberry Smoke) is a beautiful ballad with some gorgeous lap slide and I would suggest will be a great live number.
For me, the track that really made me get up and dance around the room was ‘Savoir Faire’, it just sums up all the best things about the band.
Love every minute of this album – more please.
