Sons of Liberty UK– ‘Animism’ 

Having recently reviewed the new album ‘Animism’ from SOL I was cordially invited to come along and review the album release show by a certain Fred Hale and the promise of a beer no less!

I could not possibly refuse such an offer and made plans to head up to Bristol for what promised to be a great show and was greeted on arrival by Moose (Andy Muse-Guitar).

Now this was a great looking line-up with Trouble County and Black Whiskey providing the support and not having seen Black Whiskey before but being in possession of their latest album I was looking forward to catching them. Alas it was not to be, apparently Drummer Rich’s car caught fire on the motorway as I understand and they had to pull out, still Kev Ingles was in attendance nonetheless to watch proceedings.

So, Trouble County, a hybrid Hard Rock/Grunge/Southern Rock trio from Portsmouth stepped up to the plate and played an extended tight set of originals in a somewhat apologetic way in the execution and delivery but it went down well and as are tight friends with Sons Of Liberty they really had nothing to fear on the night.

The Louisiana is a small venue upstairs from the main bar and holds about 140 people and it was sold out on the night which is a massive positive when you are launching an album review event. The album track listing was adhered to of course and it all kicked off with ‘It’s My Bad’ onto ‘Start It Up’ and into ‘Rich Man, Poor Man’. Having heard them from the album they were perfectly executed on the live stage with the twin guitar attack from Fred and Moose working seamlessly together, Fred visibly getting immersed into his work, eyes shut and taking himself away to a land in his head that only he knows! Rob Cooksley owned proceedings and the bijou stage with every inch worked to perfection.

They did stray from the Album with tracks from their previously released EP’s – ‘Aged In Oak’ and ‘Shinola’ getting an airing and ‘The Brave’ was sandwiched mid-way through the set and resplendent with the story as told by Rob to intro the song which adds to the emotion of the track before ‘Tumbleweed’ from ‘Animism’ was showcased. My album fave ‘Deep Down Crazy’ was in there and this is one hard rocker with a frenetic ending which the powerful rhythm section of Mark Thomas on Bass and Steve Byrne on Drums come into their own and help to thrash this powerful number out and it cannot fail to get you rocking and hip swaying. The moonshiner tribute in the form of ‘Marvin Popcorn Sutton’ followed by ‘Damned If You Do’ see’s the album tracks out before they close with some serious southern rock humdingers from the EP’s in the shape of ‘If it ain’t Southern and ‘Brotherhood’ which is the feeling you get when watching these guys, it’s a brotherhood of men rather than just a band.
As I said in my album review, Sons of Liberty do things their own way with some seriously great story telling in the lyrics and great musicianship, bringing the deep south of the USA to the UK with a heady blend of Hard Rock, Rock n’ Roll, Blues and Country to name but a few influences within the songs of ‘Animism’.

It was a cracking night and if you read this Fred, I am still waiting for my beer amigo!
RD

You can catch Sons Of Liberty at these shows in 2019!
November 15th – Cornwall Rocks, Looe
November 21st – Robin 2, Bilston (With Collateral and Scarlet Rebels)
December 8th, Planet Rock, Trecco Bay