By Monk
Although he grew up on the outskirts of Chicago, and subsequently moving to first Missouri and then Texas, dUg Pinnick – best known for his four-decade long career as frontman with prog metal pioneers King’s X – had never dabbled in the blues. That all changed back in 2014, when he teamed up with the Bihlmann brothers, Jabo and Scot, and thus the Grinder Blues project was born. Now, seven years later, the trio – Pinnick seems to have a thing about threesomes (sic) – are back with, as its title suggests, their second album.
‘El Dos’ is steeped in the blues traditions of the deep south, melding the dense, grungy sounds of the Delta with those of Bayou and the Lone Star State. There are big, thumping grooves galore, masses of vocal harmonies, swathes of slide guitar and enough foot-stomping to give seismologists heart attacks every time you turn that volume button up a notch or three. And, given Pinnick’s Illinois roots (coupled with the fact that the Bihlberg boys are from neighbouring Indiana), there are plenty of neat Detroit soul-style interjections, especially in the bass runs and the choruses of the likes of ‘Everybody’ and especially lead single ‘Gotta Get Me Some Of That’:
There are also nods to Pinnick’s prog pedigree, such as on the opening of latest single ‘Who Wants A Spankin’ (and I don’t think he’s talking about his bass!), which has an early King’s X vibe before evolving into a cheeky little ditty that reflects its title. Elsewhere, the trio are not afraid to criss-cross the entire blues spectrum, from ZZ Top style stompers such as opener ‘Another Way Around’ to late-night whiskey-sipping soundtracks like ‘When The Storm Comes’ and ‘Hold Me Close’, and barroom floor-fillers such as ‘Somebody’ and closer ‘King Without A Throne’.
The overall result is a blues album for the modern era. One which pays homage to the music’s heritage but gives it a fresh and contemporary twist, giving the potential to reach the broadest audience possible, from old-school blues purists to those brought up on the more modern, heavier, sludgier translations by the likes of Clutch and their ilk.
- ‘El Dos’ is out now. You can get your copy HERE.
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