Simon RushworthSong
Bring Down The Billionaires
Artist
Willie Dowling
Willie Dowling backstory
If Quireboys band mate Spike constantly refers to his accomplished keysman as ‘Willie from The Grip’, then it’s fair to say there’s much more to the multi-talented Geordie than his short-lived late 80s rock troupe.
Dowling formed The Honeycrack with CJ Wildheart, is one half of power pop duo The Dowling Poole (with ex-Cardiacs/Wildhearts member Jon Poole) and previously starred with Jackdaw4.
Willie’s worked with Dr Hook, Midge Ure, Hot Chocolate and The Wildhearts.
And as a screen composer he’s forged a reputation for crafting catchy comedy themes and animation soundtracks.
Rushonrock Record Of The Week The Simpleton (2024) ushered in a new era of critically acclaimed solo work and coincided with Dowling’s hire as a permanent member of the new-look Quireboys.
Bring Down The Billionaires continues to tease a new album and features Andy Lewis (bass), Darby Todd (drums), Jo Lewis (cello and strings) and Los Da Plot (horns).
In Willie Dowling’s own words:
“I think it’s fair to say that many of my songs have had an element of social commentary built into their fabric.
“Bring Down The Billionaires is a more overt statement about what I see as arguably the greatest threat now facing humanity.
“A handful of immensely wealthy individuals largely control our access to news and information by owning most of the world’s media platforms.”
“They make no attempt to hide their desire to impose their ideologies on us all by actively trying to buy and change the shape of politics.
“In just a few years they have played a huge part in radically weakening Western democracies.
“Their sociopathic indifference to the increasing threats to the planet, while apparently competing to destroy humanity through their unregulated rush to develop the most powerful AI systems, is simply mind boggling.”
“Put simply — if they had any measurable degree of empathy they could still be the wealthiest individuals on the planet while a fraction of their wealth could improve the lives of millions across the planet.
“I see them as a genuine existential threat to the survival of humanity and therefore I think it an entirely rational statement to make: Bring Down The Billionaires.”
The verdict on Bringing Down The Billionaires
Willie Dowling’s always been an erudite and engaging social commentator but his unexpected Indian summer as a seriously compelling solo artist has ushered in a brave new era of unfiltered opinion.
The funky pop rock of Bringing Down The Billionaires sounds like it should have been lifted from a late 80s Fishbone EP or, at the very least, been a Living Colour co-write.
That it’s the brainchild of a bloke from the North East of England is just one of the quirkier aspects driving a deliciously dry take on shameless capitalism.
Of course Dowling’s working class roots demand he digs beneath the surface and questions why the privileged few continue to shaft the masses — for want of a better phrase.
And an authoritative voice on all things socio-economic presents a compelling case for a future financial meltdown.
Of course wor Willie manages to do it all with that cheeky smile on his face as he wanders around Canary Wharf dodging bankers (with a ‘b’) in his striking striped suit.
And even if you don’t quite agree with the sentiment then it’s impossible to dislike the music.
Bringing Down The Billionaires is Dowling at his mischievous best.
Everyone round to Willie’s for a read of the Socialist Worker and a watch of Our Friends In The North on repeat?
What’s next for Willie Dowling
The former Grip man is hitting the road with Luke Morley this month as the Thunder guitarist opens up for Little Angels.
Dowling has recorded a brand new, as yet untitled, album slated for release early next year.
