Sons of Liberty – A Friday Night Special – Gig Review by Tony Davis

I’ve always been partial to a bit of rock from the Southern States of the USA, such as Georgia, Louisianna and Florida. It’s rock with it’s own sound and sense of purpose as presented by the likes of Lynyrd Skynyrd, The Allman Brothers and Tom Petty, and now the UK has it’s Southern Rock giants in Sons of Liberty.

They, like their American counterparts, have a sort of swagger and energy, both about their music and the way that it is presented.

So on Friday 10 September 2021 I ventured out to Gravesend in Kent to see these Bristol based rockers at Leo’s Red Lion. It was a venue I had never visited before and gives you an up close experience to the band. What a night it was. The Sons of Liberty make it clear that they are paying homage to their American Cousins by donning cowboy hats and making sure that they look the part. Indeed when vocalist Rob Cooksley enters the hall, from behind the audience, you could swear that you were watching some deep south shamen going about his business.

And from then on it is pure class rock and roll. The guitar work supplied by Fred Hale and Andy “Moose” Muse is exemplary and the beating heart of the band, drummer Steve Byrne and bassist Mark Thomas, lay down a powerful backdrop as the band run through a 75 minute set.

As you would expect the set includes several numbers from the new album Aces & Eights but also includes some of their back catalogue from their last album, Animism and their two previous EPs. For me the highlights were Rich Man, Poor Man, Beggar Man, Thief and their two recent single releases Damaged Reputation and Ruby Starr which formed part of the Encore. Having said that the whole set was excellent and extremely well received by an enthusiastic audience.

I was lucky enough to video interview Fred and Moose earlier in the year (see below for link) and so it was an absolute pleasure for me to be able to meet them in the flesh as well as meet the others for the first time.

I have to say Friday’s don’t come much better than this. A night of quality music with some quality guys. Would I see them again…..absolutely and you should too! This is a band that delivers!

If you fancy a listen to their music you can find them on Spotify