Neil Gowans & The Winos (Re)-Born 2005, reborn 2015 and reborn again in 2022
Under a bad sign, in a crossfire hurricane, by the river, to be wild, under a wandering star, with a smile on their face, etc.
Description
Neil Gowans & The Winos have undergone a number of changes over the years. They started as Cardinal Wino in 2005 but but between 2015 and 2019 original drummer Jonny Sear left, original bassist John Heal decamped to follow his own muse and the next drummer, Sammy Samuels went off to drum for Jimmy Regal and the Royals (a fine driving hard blues band) so had to reduce his involvement. James Richards, who played all the lovely sparkly guitar bits stepped away for a while and then lockdown meant not a lot happened for a couple of years. In late 2021 Neil asked Tim and Harry, who play in a number of other bands such as Garden Room, The Trash, and Los Ladrones del Amor if they’d like to be Winos? They said yes, which was lovely. The band is now Hertfordshire based and they are a three-piece power pop ‘n’ roll band of the highest order!
They play tuneful, upbeat rock ‘n’ roll full of twanging romanticism, a soupcon of soul and a generous dollop of new wave attitude.
If you were looking for some influences to hang around their necks, you might want to look at Nick Lowe, Johnny Cash, Teenage Fanclub, Joe Jackson, The Clash, Buddy Holly, Bob Dylan, Edwyn Collins, both the Elvises (Elvi?), old Motown stuff, a smidgeon of Northern Soul and a whole bunch of others from whom they are perfectly happy to glean untold inspiration.
They are:
Neil Gowans – Vocals & Guitar
Neil plays the guitar and sings. His favourite musicians are Elvis, Edwyn Collins, David Bowie, Nick Lowe & Stevie Wonder. There are lots more that he frequently nicks bits from. His favourite colour is probably green. The colour of love.
His favourite book is The Life and Opinions of Tristram Shandy. No, really.
He might pretend his favourite film is Citizen Kane or The Godfather Pt II but it is probably Cry Baby or His Girl Friday.
He supports Hibs in a very lackadaisical and half-hearted way.
He has previously played in The Artisans, Vincent, Liberty Valance and Pluko.
Nobody has heard of any of them.
He is older than Tim & Harry
Tim Voss – Bass guitar & occasional vocals
Tim started on the drums, sometimes plays guitar but now plays the bass and is a sort of unofficial MC for The Winos.
It will come as no surprise to learn his favourite musician is Paul Weller. He quite likes Paul Simonon too. Oh, and Joe Strummer. (Mind you, people who don’t like Joe Strummer have no soul).
His favourite artist is Roy Lichtenstein and his favourite book is The Grapes of Wrath.
For TV, it’s The Sweeney and for film it’s The Wicker Man.
His favourite colour is black. Or white. Or black & white. The colour of mod adjacent sartorial elegance.
He supports Tottenham Hotspur. Poor Old Soul.
He plays or has played in: The Astronauts, The Trash, Garden Room, Los Ladrones Del Amor and King Angry.
He is younger than Neil but older than Harry
Harry Pearson – The Drums
Harry plays the drums. His favourite musicians are Charlie Watts and Chuck Berry. His favourite colour is aquamarine, the colour of tranquillity.
His favourite book is the 2023 Beano Annual and his favourite film is Slade in Flame.
Who he supports appears to be a secret. Sensible fella.
He plays or has played in: Los Ladrones del Amor, Garden Room, The Trojan Horses, King Angry and Mackenzie Breaks.
He is younger than Neil & Tim
They are all lovely.