Simon RushworthRushonrock can reveal that Black Eyed Sons is the nostalgia-fuelled new name for the Guy Griffin-fronted Quireboys.
And it appears a long overdue rebranding has finally drawn a line under one of rock and roll’s most bitter disputes.
In a surprise move Griffin, Paul Guerin, Keith Weir, Nick Mailing and Pip Mailing will release 2025’s star-studded studio album under the Black Eyed Sons name.
And the record’s original title has been shelved — Cowboys In Pinstripe Suits replacing The Band Rolls Onahead of next year’s release.
“It’s been nice to take a break and focus on the writing,” said Griffin, who, along with Guerin and Weir, acrimoniously split from Quireboys founder and frontman Spike in March 2022.
“Working with our own band, as well as so many friends within the industry, has done nothing but inspire us to write and create this exciting new project.
“We’ve done the hard work getting the tracks laid down and we’re now looking forward to going back out on the road as Black Eyed Sons and delivering something entirely new from five musicians who’ve been playing together for more than 20 years.
“Relationships break down sometimes, that’s rock and roll. Everyone does their thing but we want to make sure there’s no confusion as to what this is.
“Whilst we’re proud of our musical history, that was then, this is now. It’s onwards and upwards… so let the music do the talking.”
Rushonrock understands that the decision to perform under the Black Eyed Sons name could save both versions of the Quireboys thousands of pounds in lawyer’s fees.
The two-year dispute has already cost the warring camps a considerable amount — both financially and in terms of reputational damage.
And a source close to Spike explained that only last week a fresh legal challenge was set to be launched against Griffin and co. before word of the Black Eyed Sons rebrand filtered through.
“Lawyers had been instructed to send out a new demand for a swift resolution to the matter and a letter had been prepared,” said the source.
“Once we heard that things might be about to change that letter was recalled. It was all very last minute. It’s a relief for everyone and it seems that common sense had finally prevailed.”
Black Eyed Sons — the name of 2014’s critically acclaimed Quireboys album featuring some of Griffin’s finest work as a songwriter — have recorded 11 songs for Cowboys In Pinstripe Suits.
And the impressive list of collaborators reads like a who’s who of rock and roll royalty.
The title track features Def Leppard’s Joe Elliott, Ryan Roxie (Alice Cooper) and Chip Z’Nuff.
But that’s just the tip of the iceberg as various members of Buckcherry, Blackberry Smoke, New York Dolls, White Lion, Skid Row and Dan Reed Network supplement Griffin, Guerin and co.
Cowboys In Pinstripe Suits is set for release on January 25, 2025 and there will be a full live album launch party at The Lexington, Islington on December 16.
The full tracklisting is as follows:
1. Lie To Me
2. Medicine w/ Josh Todd, Stevie D (Buckcherry)
3. Foolin’ Yourself w/ Steve Conte (NY Dolls, Mike Monroe) Kyf Brewer (Company Of Wolves/Barley Juice)
4. Autumn Reigns w/ Charlie Starr (Blackberry Smoke)
5. Cowboys In Pinstriped Suits w/ Joe Elliott (Def Leppard) Ryan Roxie (Alice Cooper) Chip Z’Nuff (Enuff Z’Nuff)
6. Don’t Throw Me In The Corner w/ Chip Z’Nuff ( Enuff Z’Nuff)
7. Your True Colours w/ Mike Tramp (White Lion)
8. Savoir Faire w/ Alan Clayton (Dirty Strangers) Steve Conte(NY Dolls, Mike Monroe) Chris Johnstone (Quireboys)
9. Dig Me Out Of This Hole w/ Scotti Hill (Skid Row)
10. So Glorious w/ Dan Reed (Dan Reed Network)
11. Can’t Put Your Arms Around A Memory w/ Ryan Roxie (Alice Cooper)