The Bonnevilles

More Than Music "Imagine a two-headed fuzz delta garage punk fusion that comes on like an incestuous relationship between The Black Keys and The Jon Spencer Blues channeled via Rory Gallagher, Howlin' Wolf and Willie Dixon." 9/10

The Irish Times "...grief lurks over their second album like a leaden spectre. McGibbon’s whiskey-soaked voice is a powerful tool, driving home the likes of on of Reverbio with a steely fortitude and scaling it back for the tender shimmer of Separate Ways. Occasionally recalling the shady stalk of contemporary artists such as Dan Sartain..." 4/5

Mojo Magazine "... stunning of the wall twisted punk blues - makes the Black Keys seem like a bunch of pussys..." 4/5

Vive Le Rock A neat collection of primal electrified noise featuring lyrics that hark way back to the god-fearing era of Robert Johnson, Son House et al....

...Hip, hot, loud and likely a storm if you catch them live " 8/10

Alternative Ulster "...it’s dense, it’s thrashy, and oh-so-dark. We always had an inkling The Bonnevilles weren’t the tea sippin’ kind, but Folk Art & The Death of Electric Jesus presents us with a solid slab of woe sure to convince any non-believers. 8/10

Incognito Magazine Top 5 Songs of the year.
“10,000? by The Bonnevilles (Folk Art and the Death of Electric Jesus). If ZZ Top collaborated with a raw garage-rock duo, this song would be the result.

Jam Bands Capable of making a lot of noise when they want to, McMullan and McGibbon also know how to hold back when they need to – allowing the knockout punch to land all the harder. The tunes on Folk Art And The Death Of Electric Jesus are all the more impressive when you take in that these are all originals … and while there are wisps of inspirations here and there, the bottom line is, McMullan and McGibbon are bluesmen.
Rory Gallagher would’ve loved these guys.

Dan Hegarty RTE 2fm Album of the week.

Wes Freed "...Hey lovers of hard-edged bluesy RAWK everwhere! Check this out !- Irelands fearless road warriors the BONNEVILLES have a new release ! Hopefully we will be seeing them stateside sometime soon , meantime they will be tearing up the clubs, pubs & dark crossroads of the British Isles, laying down brutal licks & raw,gut-bucket vox , making you sweat like you were in the Mississippi delta on a hot August night. Hell yea! Thank you , that is all . feeqout..."

Charlie Bravo My album of 2012. BluesPunkGarage Bliss The Bonnevilles 2nd album Folk Art & The Death Of Electric Jesus

Red Wine On A Sunday Folk Art & The Death Of Electric Jesus sounds like the The Rolling Stones' Exile On Mainstreet on steroids

Rick Saunders Folk Art & The Death Of Electric Jesus is still knocking me out. '08s Good Suits and Fightin' Boots was a great heads-up but this is exceptional. You want.
- Various

More Than Music "Imagine a two-headed fuzz delta garage punk fusion that comes on like an incestuous relationship between The Black Keys and The Jon Spencer Blues channeled via Rory Gallagher, Howlin' Wolf and Willie Dixon." 9/10

The Irish Times "...grief lurks over their second album like a leaden spectre. McGibbon’s whiskey-soaked voice is a powerful tool, driving home the likes of on of Reverbio with a steely fortitude and scaling it back for the tender shimmer of Separate Ways. Occasionally recalling the shady stalk of contemporary artists such as Dan Sartain..." 4/5

Mojo Magazine "... stunning of the wall twisted punk blues - makes the Black Keys seem like a bunch of pussys..." 4/5

Vive Le Rock A neat collection of primal electrified noise featuring lyrics that hark way back to the god-fearing era of Robert Johnson, Son House et al....

...Hip, hot, loud and likely a storm if you catch them live " 8/10

Alternative Ulster "...it’s dense, it’s thrashy, and oh-so-dark. We always had an inkling The Bonnevilles weren’t the tea sippin’ kind, but Folk Art & The Death of Electric Jesus presents us with a solid slab of woe sure to convince any non-believers. 8/10

Incognito Magazine Top 5 Songs of the year.
“10,000? by The Bonnevilles (Folk Art and the Death of Electric Jesus). If ZZ Top collaborated with a raw garage-rock duo, this song would be the result.

Jam Bands Capable of making a lot of noise when they want to, McMullan and McGibbon also know how to hold back when they need to – allowing the knockout punch to land all the harder. The tunes on Folk Art And The Death Of Electric Jesus are all the more impressive when you take in that these are all originals … and while there are wisps of inspirations here and there, the bottom line is, McMullan and McGibbon are bluesmen.
Rory Gallagher would’ve loved these guys.

Dan Hegarty RTE 2fm Album of the week.

Wes Freed "...Hey lovers of hard-edged bluesy RAWK everwhere! Check this out !- Irelands fearless road warriors the BONNEVILLES have a new release ! Hopefully we will be seeing them stateside sometime soon , meantime they will be tearing up the clubs, pubs & dark crossroads of the British Isles, laying down brutal licks & raw,gut-bucket vox , making you sweat like you were in the Mississippi delta on a hot August night. Hell yea! Thank you , that is all . feeqout..."

Charlie Bravo My album of 2012. BluesPunkGarage Bliss The Bonnevilles 2nd album Folk Art & The Death Of Electric Jesus

Red Wine On A Sunday Folk Art & The Death Of Electric Jesus sounds like the The Rolling Stones' Exile On Mainstreet on steroids

Rick Saunders Folk Art & The Death Of Electric Jesus is still knocking me out. '08s Good Suits and Fightin' Boots was a great heads-up but this is exceptional. You want.
- Various

Twenty Stone Blatt Records Two gruff ’n’ ready musicians on guitar and drums? We’ve been here before. The Bonnevilles are more than just a Black Keys tribute act, even if the Belfast duo audibly dredge the same blues-infused well of influences. The biggest distinction lies in subtle nuances; both Andrew McGibbon and Christopher McMullan lost a parent in close proximity, and their grief lurks over their second album like a leaden spectre. McGibbon’s whiskey-soaked voice is a powerful tool, driving home the likes of on of Reverbio with a steely fortitude and scaling it back for the tender shimmer of Separate Ways. Occasionally recalling the shady stalk of contemporary artists such as Dan Sartain, this is a fine, authentic collection of footstomping, hip-swivelling bluesrock.thebonnevilles.co.uk

4 out of 5 Stars. - The Irish Times

Twenty Stone Blatt Records Two gruff ’n’ ready musicians on guitar and drums? We’ve been here before. The Bonnevilles are more than just a Black Keys tribute act, even if the Belfast duo audibly dredge the same blues-infused well of influences. The biggest distinction lies in subtle nuances; both Andrew McGibbon and Christopher McMullan lost a parent in close proximity, and their grief lurks over their second album like a leaden spectre. McGibbon’s whiskey-soaked voice is a powerful tool, driving home the likes of on of Reverbio with a steely fortitude and scaling it back for the tender shimmer of Separate Ways. Occasionally recalling the shady stalk of contemporary artists such as Dan Sartain, this is a fine, authentic collection of footstomping, hip-swivelling bluesrock.thebonnevilles.co.uk

4 out of 5 Stars. - The Irish Times

The Eruption Organisation has unleashed their first foray into 7” vinyl with a split 45 that features a side apiece by The Bonnevilles and Thee Phantom Herd. The former are Free or Frankie Miller having done some kind of RJ deal with the devil. I was expecting something entirely different but this could have wide appeal and is several light years better than anything I’ve heard by The Raconteurs to drop a name. Other than the fact that I believe said combo knocked out a version of (I think) “Headin’ For The Texas Border”. Thee PH are not without their charm also and I’d venture that this could be how the JJR could sound if they took their hooves off the decibel level. This is swingin’ lowdown dirty bluesmanship. “Lordy” richt enough and will raise you a “have mercy”. - THE NEXT BIG THING

The Eruption Organisation has unleashed their first foray into 7” vinyl with a split 45 that features a side apiece by The Bonnevilles and Thee Phantom Herd. The former are Free or Frankie Miller having done some kind of RJ deal with the devil. I was expecting something entirely different but this could have wide appeal and is several light years better than anything I’ve heard by The Raconteurs to drop a name. Other than the fact that I believe said combo knocked out a version of (I think) “Headin’ For The Texas Border”. Thee PH are not without their charm also and I’d venture that this could be how the JJR could sound if they took their hooves off the decibel level. This is swingin’ lowdown dirty bluesmanship. “Lordy” richt enough and will raise you a “have mercy”. - THE NEXT BIG THING

The Bonnevilles are a northern irish based garage blues two piece featuring andrew mcgibbon jr on guitars and chris mcmullan on drums. this is pure quality garage punk blues. the album was pretty much recorded live in the studio to 8 track analog tape. imagine an even more raw sounding black keys with the voice of rory gallagher. the album has a beautifully raw feel about it and goes right back to the early blues of howlin wolf or willie dixie whilst also adding in the pure energy of sixties garage punk. its full of perfectly fuzzed up guitar sounds, stripped down drums and a voice that was quite simply made for this kind of sound. i have to say this is as good as garage punk blues gets and any fan of the likes of the black keys, jon spencer and sixties garage sounds will absolutely adore this one. - ROAD RECORDS (Dublin)

The Bonnevilles are a northern irish based garage blues two piece featuring andrew mcgibbon jr on guitars and chris mcmullan on drums. this is pure quality garage punk blues. the album was pretty much recorded live in the studio to 8 track analog tape. imagine an even more raw sounding black keys with the voice of rory gallagher. the album has a beautifully raw feel about it and goes right back to the early blues of howlin wolf or willie dixie whilst also adding in the pure energy of sixties garage punk. its full of perfectly fuzzed up guitar sounds, stripped down drums and a voice that was quite simply made for this kind of sound. i have to say this is as good as garage punk blues gets and any fan of the likes of the black keys, jon spencer and sixties garage sounds will absolutely adore this one. - ROAD RECORDS (Dublin)

Hog wild rock'n'roll! This duo are spitting guitar riffs tougher than ACDC. Absolutely killer stuff - think John Spencer Blues Explosion meets Motorhead. A sound steeped in the good stuff; elements of Chicago Blues, Memphis Rock'n'Roll and tough 70's rock all bound with a raw garage punk energy. If you go wild to the heavy sounds then buy this one now! 3 Stars out of 3/Kill for it - SOULGENERATION.COM

Hog wild rock'n'roll! This duo are spitting guitar riffs tougher than ACDC. Absolutely killer stuff - think John Spencer Blues Explosion meets Motorhead. A sound steeped in the good stuff; elements of Chicago Blues, Memphis Rock'n'Roll and tough 70's rock all bound with a raw garage punk energy. If you go wild to the heavy sounds then buy this one now! 3 Stars out of 3/Kill for it - SOULGENERATION.COM

THE WRENCH MAGAZINE OK, so it’s safe to say, I’d been waiting for this album for a long time... but it was worth every second of the wait. Listen people...and more importantly...learn. This is how all music should be – raw, honest, stripped down and delivered from the heart. What I find truly amazing, is the wall of dirty assed sounds that these two gents serve up. For just two of them, the sleazy guitar and vocals from Andy, against the beatings of rhythm king Chris, hit all the right buttons. There quite literally ain’t a bad song on here, but then I never had a doubt, as The Bonnevilles consistently deliver. Buy this album today and improve your record collection in one easy move. Blinding. - THE WRENCH

THE WRENCH MAGAZINE OK, so it’s safe to say, I’d been waiting for this album for a long time... but it was worth every second of the wait. Listen people...and more importantly...learn. This is how all music should be – raw, honest, stripped down and delivered from the heart. What I find truly amazing, is the wall of dirty assed sounds that these two gents serve up. For just two of them, the sleazy guitar and vocals from Andy, against the beatings of rhythm king Chris, hit all the right buttons. There quite literally ain’t a bad song on here, but then I never had a doubt, as The Bonnevilles consistently deliver. Buy this album today and improve your record collection in one easy move. Blinding. - THE WRENCH

There's something of a '60s revival goin' on at the minute and it's sneakin' up on the blindside. While everyoneis worryin' 'emselves green about the prospect of a loada cocky kidz diggin' the sounds of Echobelly or whatever, there's a rabble of bands out there runnin' headlong through the crowds, chinning justabout anyone who gets in their way... and sometimes, that includes the listener. The Bonnevilles are no exception. These Lurganites were found this mornin' in my speakers kickin' out the tweeters and showin' knuckle-dusters to this bleary writer. Man, I'd been awake for under a second and these garage yobs are pickin' a fight. Instead of kickin' me to a pulp... they hit me with a sound so fuggin' good that I done filled my trews! 'The Explosive New Sound of Punk Blues' it may be... but it's that familiar ol' time sound of trouble... Now, this is where most reviewers start botherin' you with tales of where the band are from, how they started and what they dig. I ain't... one listen to this greased-up, sleazy garage-blues and you know exactly where The Bonnevilles are from. Somewhere between a rottin' hot-rod engine and the nipple of a titty twister. They're the black line strikin' down the middle of their own sleeve. Jeez, these is one of the sleaziest LPs you'll ever hear! And not a sax in sight! Before you've even got around to listenin', this LP demands you dig. Song titles like 'The Belgians Are Coming!', 'One More Nail Outta Rock 'n' Roll's Coffin', 'Hardtale Lurgan Blues' and 'The Drag'... makes you wanna like this band huh? Well, thankfully for you, these elemental no-fi rockers can make a tune that you CAN dig. Many bands who tellyer that they're 'garage', all too often sound like The Byrds. Course, that ain't a bad thing as such... but you want evil, bug-eyed, grimey kicks with attitude and fuggin' volume? Man, The Bonnevilles can deliver... and instead of leavin' you a note to say they've called, they'll kick yer door in and make 'emselves at home... in your home... one sleepin' off the drink in your bed and the other one laughin' at you're Fair Trade Teabags. "Chump...". "'Kay... so when you gon' give us a review huh?" Simmer. These cats are everythin' you just read and more. If you like, I'll tell you about the skuzzy guitars, the primal beat, the tough wailin' and great tone of the whole thing... but really, you shoulda guessed that already. The clues are in there man... and this band, like most from this field (the battle field should you need tellin') are gettin' down and dirty and ready to blow your brains out... if only they could stand up straight for long enough. However, these hopeless drunks ain't dunderhead-central... man, these are poetic drunkards, down the end of the bar 'citing lines from some misunderstood poet before slammin' down chasers and cuttin' up the Hooray Henry's with their own tie-clips. These cats are good... real good. Looks like they'll make it all the way home. And rightly so. This may not be the most sophisticated LP yool hear, but man, it'll be one of your favourites. You need this. - MOF GIMMERS

There's something of a '60s revival goin' on at the minute and it's sneakin' up on the blindside. While everyoneis worryin' 'emselves green about the prospect of a loada cocky kidz diggin' the sounds of Echobelly or whatever, there's a rabble of bands out there runnin' headlong through the crowds, chinning justabout anyone who gets in their way... and sometimes, that includes the listener. The Bonnevilles are no exception. These Lurganites were found this mornin' in my speakers kickin' out the tweeters and showin' knuckle-dusters to this bleary writer. Man, I'd been awake for under a second and these garage yobs are pickin' a fight. Instead of kickin' me to a pulp... they hit me with a sound so fuggin' good that I done filled my trews! 'The Explosive New Sound of Punk Blues' it may be... but it's that familiar ol' time sound of trouble... Now, this is where most reviewers start botherin' you with tales of where the band are from, how they started and what they dig. I ain't... one listen to this greased-up, sleazy garage-blues and you know exactly where The Bonnevilles are from. Somewhere between a rottin' hot-rod engine and the nipple of a titty twister. They're the black line strikin' down the middle of their own sleeve. Jeez, these is one of the sleaziest LPs you'll ever hear! And not a sax in sight! Before you've even got around to listenin', this LP demands you dig. Song titles like 'The Belgians Are Coming!', 'One More Nail Outta Rock 'n' Roll's Coffin', 'Hardtale Lurgan Blues' and 'The Drag'... makes you wanna like this band huh? Well, thankfully for you, these elemental no-fi rockers can make a tune that you CAN dig. Many bands who tellyer that they're 'garage', all too often sound like The Byrds. Course, that ain't a bad thing as such... but you want evil, bug-eyed, grimey kicks with attitude and fuggin' volume? Man, The Bonnevilles can deliver... and instead of leavin' you a note to say they've called, they'll kick yer door in and make 'emselves at home... in your home... one sleepin' off the drink in your bed and the other one laughin' at you're Fair Trade Teabags. "Chump...". "'Kay... so when you gon' give us a review huh?" Simmer. These cats are everythin' you just read and more. If you like, I'll tell you about the skuzzy guitars, the primal beat, the tough wailin' and great tone of the whole thing... but really, you shoulda guessed that already. The clues are in there man... and this band, like most from this field (the battle field should you need tellin') are gettin' down and dirty and ready to blow your brains out... if only they could stand up straight for long enough. However, these hopeless drunks ain't dunderhead-central... man, these are poetic drunkards, down the end of the bar 'citing lines from some misunderstood poet before slammin' down chasers and cuttin' up the Hooray Henry's with their own tie-clips. These cats are good... real good. Looks like they'll make it all the way home. And rightly so. This may not be the most sophisticated LP yool hear, but man, it'll be one of your favourites. You need this. - MOF GIMMERS

The Bonnevilles are a grimy punk-infected rocknsoulblues duo out of Lurgan. Bonnevilles guitarist/singer Andy McGibbon day job is boss of Lurgan's Motor Sound Records which represents a stable of underground (if there is such a thing anymore) outsider blues and garage outfits from around the globe (check out my review of Motor Sounds wicked compilation Blood On The Scratch Plate '65). With their new release Good Suits and Fightin' Boots, The Bonnevilles announce their arrival as a band to reckoned with, feared, and loved. McGibbon's voice is a gritty, sexy, early Danny Auerbach-ian soul machine. His guitar sound swings thick, heavy, and as tasteful as a saws-all with a new blade, at once vicious and keen-edged. McGibbon keeps the vibe hangin' low, feedback full, and on-point exact. Drummer Chris McMullan's work is burly...soulful like ironwood and it tears at the seams of McGibbon's vintage pinstriped pocket, primally adding what's sonically required and vital. As a team they give each other the needful room the music requires to breath, grind, wail, and shake. Shall we get on to the album? Let's shall. Hey! Bonnevilles! Who the fck starts out their first album with an instrumental? You do, ya bastards. That takes some cojones. But while Good Suits stands tall as a powerful eleven track filler-less collection of singles it also flows album-wise, weaving from the aforementioned instro One More Nail Outta Rock n' Rolls Coffin to the souped up garage stormer Army of One to the boogieass menace of title tracker Good Suits and Fightin' Boots. No Government, No Country, No King is a slow, tense politiblues burner which is followed by The Drag which sports a similar hot slow burning, if not sexier vibe and ends with the snip of a JFK speech. The centerpiece of this work, God Might Love Me (But He Doesn't Know Me Like The Devil Does) stands as one of the tracks I found myself playing repeatedly. McMullan's simple slow tribal toms match McGibbon's on-point grungy slide work to set a resigned yet menacing tone. Acoustic roots rocker I don't Like Whiskey is a blues redeemer. Super single C'Mon is a delicious hook filled head knocker and bottle buster with it's singalong chorus raisin' hell and fuss. The Belgians Are Coming is two minutes of Dick Dale-esque red tide dirty surf perfection. The set ends with the wicked live anthem Hardtale Lurgan Blues that smokes deep and hard from fit to fin. Like my man Dj Hillfunk says "it's a slow grower" but once I locked into the turbo charged souled-out grinding alt-blues sound of The Bonnevilles I was blown up and dusted. The Bonnevilles Good Suits and Fightin' Boots easily ranks high on my short list of best albums of the year. - Deep Blues

The Bonnevilles are a grimy punk-infected rocknsoulblues duo out of Lurgan. Bonnevilles guitarist/singer Andy McGibbon day job is boss of Lurgan's Motor Sound Records which represents a stable of underground (if there is such a thing anymore) outsider blues and garage outfits from around the globe (check out my review of Motor Sounds wicked compilation Blood On The Scratch Plate '65). With their new release Good Suits and Fightin' Boots, The Bonnevilles announce their arrival as a band to reckoned with, feared, and loved. McGibbon's voice is a gritty, sexy, early Danny Auerbach-ian soul machine. His guitar sound swings thick, heavy, and as tasteful as a saws-all with a new blade, at once vicious and keen-edged. McGibbon keeps the vibe hangin' low, feedback full, and on-point exact. Drummer Chris McMullan's work is burly...soulful like ironwood and it tears at the seams of McGibbon's vintage pinstriped pocket, primally adding what's sonically required and vital. As a team they give each other the needful room the music requires to breath, grind, wail, and shake. Shall we get on to the album? Let's shall. Hey! Bonnevilles! Who the fck starts out their first album with an instrumental? You do, ya bastards. That takes some cojones. But while Good Suits stands tall as a powerful eleven track filler-less collection of singles it also flows album-wise, weaving from the aforementioned instro One More Nail Outta Rock n' Rolls Coffin to the souped up garage stormer Army of One to the boogieass menace of title tracker Good Suits and Fightin' Boots. No Government, No Country, No King is a slow, tense politiblues burner which is followed by The Drag which sports a similar hot slow burning, if not sexier vibe and ends with the snip of a JFK speech. The centerpiece of this work, God Might Love Me (But He Doesn't Know Me Like The Devil Does) stands as one of the tracks I found myself playing repeatedly. McMullan's simple slow tribal toms match McGibbon's on-point grungy slide work to set a resigned yet menacing tone. Acoustic roots rocker I don't Like Whiskey is a blues redeemer. Super single C'Mon is a delicious hook filled head knocker and bottle buster with it's singalong chorus raisin' hell and fuss. The Belgians Are Coming is two minutes of Dick Dale-esque red tide dirty surf perfection. The set ends with the wicked live anthem Hardtale Lurgan Blues that smokes deep and hard from fit to fin. Like my man Dj Hillfunk says "it's a slow grower" but once I locked into the turbo charged souled-out grinding alt-blues sound of The Bonnevilles I was blown up and dusted. The Bonnevilles Good Suits and Fightin' Boots easily ranks high on my short list of best albums of the year. - Deep Blues