"When you have been to a Sons show, you know you’ve been to a Sons show! It’s full of energy right from the first note, to the very last! We believe that the crowd are there to be part of the band, so we make that happen."

Sons of Liberty: Hard Rock Had a Baby and They Named It Southern/Blues Rock 

The band of Sons of Liberty from Bristol have established themselves as one of the most popular live and recording bands on the current original hard rock scene. With a reputation built on a solid foundation of extensive live touring, blistering live performances and a passion for creating exceptional new rock music the bands trajectory continues to be extraordinary. These boys uniquely manage to mix a lot of fun and humility with a deep appreciation for their audience and a deadly serious commitment to creating authentic, well crafted music. Sons of Liberty are Russ Grimmett (Vocals), Fred Hale and Andy Muse (Guitars), Mark Thomas (Bass) and Steve Byrne (Drums). 2024 sees the band celebrate 10 years of rocking with 45 original songs released across 3 albums and 2 EPs and over 250 live performances in the UK and Europe. Their third album ‘The Detail Is In The Devil’ was released on Feb 2024, produced and engineered by Josiah J Manning, taking things up a few steps.

(Sons of Liberty / Photo by Michel Wieczorek - Metal Addiction Fr)

Sons of Liberty are excited to announce their 10th anniversary UK tour with special guests Kit Trigg taking in some of their favourite grass roots venues that have seen them thrill audiences and gain new fans over the years. Dates: 10th Oct - The Victoria, Swindon / 11th Oct - Parish, Huddersfield / 12th Oct - The Motorsport Lounge, Llandudno / 17th Oct - The 1865, Southampton / 18th Oct - Leo’s Red Lion, Gravesend / 19th Oct - The Electric Banana, Weston-Super-Mare / 24th Oct - The Giffard Arms, Wolverhampton / 25th Oct - Bannerman’s, Edinburgh / 26th Oct - HMV Live, Glasgow (acoustic afternoon in-store) / 27th Oct - Backstage At The Green, Kinross.

Interview by Michael Limnios               Special Thanks: Wes O’Neill (O’Neill PR)

How has the Rock n’ Roll counterculture influenced your views of the world and the journeys you’ve taken?

Russ: I don’t really get influenced by any “normality” when it comes to music. Saying that, there have been many different countercultures in rock and roll over the years and the one that has impacted me the most is the need for people speaking up more about mental health. I realise I don’t just have a voice for the songs, but a voice for the people and can be a real influence to help minds by way of music. The image you portray on stage is not always the reality (Instagram versus reality) and I want to show the real me, the real us. If that then influences people to speak out more then I’m happy. Rock and roll is typically seen as glamorous or fun and the image bands portray isn’t always what happens when the lights go down. It really is OK to talk, and anyone reading this, please talk to someone if you need to about anything! It could be all you need.

How do you describe the band's sound, music philosophy and songbook?

Fred: I’d say we’re a pretty full-on hard rock band built on a southern/blues rock foundation. As we’ve progressed through the years, we’ve become less conscious of sticking in any lanes as rules are meant to be broken, aren’t they? Each time we start work on an album we have an aim in mind for it from the start. For ‘The Detail Is In The Devil’ we agreed we weren’t out to make ‘Aces & Eight’ Mk 2, we wanted to make what we call ‘forever music’. When pulling songs together we think about the whole album and what might give it variety and a balance that should engage the listener. We also think about what we’d like to add into the live environment from the start.  We definitely think of a recording as a whole body of work, not a collection of singles.

Our songbook chronicles our story as a band, we have recorded over 45 original songs and we feel each release always needs to be a step up in terms of writing and quality. Having Russ join us has really opened up the possibilities melodically. We certainly haven’t finished creating new music by any stretch.

"I think there is something in British society that celebrates innovation. We have always had a big mix of cultures which brings a lot of different influences to art and the music scene. I guess our history as adventurers, explorers and inventors is what makes us British. This seems to make us good at experimenting with music. There always seems to be an audience for all different types of music here and wee also like to back the underdogs." (Sons of Liberty / Photo by John Bull, Rockrpix)

What is the story behind the band's name: Sons of Liberty?

Fred: The band’s name came about when we were looking for something with a southern rock vibe. Sons of Liberty has origins in US history, whilst having links to a youth brigade in the Civil War we liked the fact that the Militia that essentially kicked out the British (the Boston Tea Party lot) went under this name; we thought it was ironic that a British southern rock band would be taking the genre back to the United States.

Currently you’ve sung on one album with Sons Of Liberty. How did that relationship and idea of you joining the band come about?

Russ: I was asked to audition for the band, almost out of nowhere. My best mate, Pete, was driving for them with Preacher Stone on tour in 2023 and whatever happened and was talked about led to me being asked to audition. I took the song they sent me, and it felt like it was actually written for me! The rest is genuinely history as it all moved so fast and so perfect, the relationship built itself up very quickly.

Do you have any interesting stories about the making of the new album ‘The Detail Is In The Devil'?

Andy: We had three visits to Momentum Studios and the magnificent Josiah J Manning and I think it’s fair to say we had fun and games each time! During the pre-production session we found a cool Nepalese restaurant and set out to try a few different options. It all went well until they brought out the worst ever guitar and a small practice amp – it was probably the roughest version of Sweet Home Alabama you’ve ever heard! We had a mad moonlight trip to the beach one night, and had at least one massive drinking session on the patio outside the lodge that we stayed at each time – there's pictures of me falling over into a hedge, but I’ll be damned if I can remember that actually happening! JJ pushed us really hard during the actual recording, he definitely managed to get career best performances out of all of us.

"Our songbook chronicles our story as a band, we have recorded over 45 original songs and we feel each release always needs to be a step up in terms of writing and quality. Having Russ join us has really opened up the possibilities melodically. We certainly haven’t finished creating new music by any stretch." (Sons of Liberty / Photo by Mark Ellis Photography)

It’s your 10th anniversary as a band, why do you think that Sons Of Liberty continues to generate such a devoted following?

Fred: I’d like to think we bring something positive and uplifting into people’s lives. Whilst we take our music and lyrics seriously, we don’t take ourselves too seriously and we like to generate a lot of fun, which people seem to enjoy along with us. I think people relate to the band on a personal level as well. We genuinely love meeting people when we’re on the road and like to take time with everyone. A gig is like coming to a Sons party, it’s a nice gang to be in.

What moment changed your music life the most and what’s been the highlights in your life and career so far?

Fred: Making the decision to record new original music with the Sons was the big one. From that moment it’s all been a bit of a crazy ride. Early highlights were winning the fan vote at Giants of Rock Festival which cemented our belief that we could have a successful career as an originals band. Later highlights for me have been our shows in France, hitting the main stage at the first Maid of Stone Festival was magnificent and getting to tour with FM, Grand Slam and Preacher Stone. The first vinyl was a real buzz and also being playlisted on Planet Rock radio…too many to list!

Russ: Without doubt the Sons chapter has changed me the most and the band I’ve already achieved the most with. There have been so many highlights with them in the last year I couldn’t even pick a favourite. One of my most prized memories was first singing on stage with dad though, I won’t ever forget that moment. It is one I can only keep alive in my mind now as he passed away and was such an inspiration to me being my hero. Best highlight in life, my kids, no question.

Andy: As far as I can remember I’ve always been into music. My mum sang and played violin and my nan played piano rather well too. I did the normal school shows as maybe an 11-year old, and then played trumpet in a Glen Miller style swing band with a fancy waistcoat and dickey-bow tie. Guitar and bass came after that, and it’s never really stopped. I played the Marquee in London and the old Colston Hall in Bristol (now Bristol Beacon) with previous bands, but there isn’t much that’ll top playing with the rest of Sons. Gigs like Showbike Acquitaine in France were just off the scale – 20,000 people with a “Download” sized stage complete with a massive ego-ramp and huge screens either side. The cold draft beer pump in the dressing room was kinda cool too...and it was Russ’ first gig with the band as well!

"The band’s name came about when we were looking for something with a southern rock vibe. Sons of Liberty has origins in US history, whilst having links to a youth brigade in the Civil War we liked the fact that the Militia that essentially kicked out the British (the Boston Tea Party lot) went under this name; we thought it was ironic that a British southern rock band would be taking the genre back to the United States." (Photo: Sons of Liberty are Russ Grimmett on vocals, Fred Hale and Andy Muse on guitars, Mark Thomas on bass, and Steve Byrne on drums).

What were the reasons that made the UK since the 1960s to be the center of rock experiments?

Fred: I think there is something in British society that celebrates innovation. We have always had a big mix of cultures which brings a lot of different influences to art and the music scene. I guess our history as adventurers, explorers and inventors is what makes us British. This seems to make us good at experimenting with music. There always seems to be an audience for all different types of music here and wee also like to back the underdogs.

What are some of the most important lessons you have learned from your experiences?

Andy: Maybe “don’t give up”, ha! Most of us had a crack at this band lark back in the 80’s and 90’s and here we are thirty years later doing something much cooler than we could have even imagined!

What can concert audiences expect to get on your 10th anniversary UK tour?

Russ: When you have been to a Sons show, you know you’ve been to a Sons show! It’s full of energy right from the first note, to the very last! We believe that the crowd are there to be part of the band, so we make that happen. You’ll often see me out in the crowd, we get the crowd to sing along often and we love making it all part of the show. You can see we absolutely love what we’re doing and it comes across ten fold in person. It’s a show you won’t want to miss… I would say that, but it really is!

Sons of Liberty - Home