'Salvation', New Album From Bernie Griffen And the Thin Men

MEDIA RELEASE
8 September 2014

Announcing 'Salvation', the New Album From Bernie Griffen And the Thin Men

Are you ready for Salvation?

Bernie Griffen has been front and centre of New Zealand’s music scene for nearly two decades, as long-time and well-loved host of 95 bFM’s Border Radio show as well as a performer (as a founding member of The Grifters), promoter and champion of independent Kiwi music.

This year sees Bernie step out into new territory with the album Salvation, recorded at Auckland’s The Lab studio in May 2014 with star-studded band The Thin Men comprised of the formidable Chris O’Connore [The Phoenix Foundation, SJD and more] Mike Hall [Pluto, Nightchoir] Mathias Jordan [Pluto, Nightchoir] Jolyon Mulholland [Gasoline Cowboy, Mulholland] Steve Roach [Bernie Griffen and the Grifters] Louise Evans [fiddle] and Bernie’s long-time partner/collaborator Kirsten Warner [vocals].

The new record sings out like a scream in a quiet night, the title drawing inspiration from Griffen's "secret Catholic heart". Bernie’s characters are hard-living and hard-loving, outlaw and savior, the lover and the man in trouble -- Bernie Griffen tells tales of adventure, loss and a life hard lived.

The first offering from Salvation is "Crying Too", a poignant song from the point of view of the lover who leaves, rather than is left. “If you loved me, none of this would be happening...”
https://soundcloud.com/b-griffen-the-thin-men/crying-too

The album was recorded at The Lab Studio in Mt Eden in May 2014, with Jol Mulholland as producer. From Bernie Griffen and the Grifters, Steve Roach plays lead guitar, Chris O’Connore on drums (Phoenix Foundation, SJD) Mike Hall on bass (Pluto, Nightchoir) and Matthias Jordan on keyboards (Pluto, Nightchoir). “Once we started, it was clear that Jol Mulholland couldn’t resist playing too.” Jol (Gasoline Cowboy, Mulholland) plays bass and guitars.

It’s a timely follow-up from 2011’s Everything So Far (Bernie Griffen and the Grifters) -- which featured the song 29 Diamonds, championed by Radio NZ’s Trevor Reekie in 2011: "If there’s any justice in this industry, 29 Diamonds would win a Silver Scroll, it is achingly poignant and it will travel forever."

Drawing inspiration from the rigorous work ethic of The Eastern and Delaney Davidson, Griffen and band will set off on an epic tour of New Zealand in support of Salvation. You’d be wise to head down to the waterhole and be baptised by the big man himself, Bernie Griffen.

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BERNIE GRIFFEN AND THE THIN MEN
WITH SPECIAL GUESTS THE NUKES

• 25 September, The Tuning Fork, Vector Arena
[Tickets from Ticket Master]
• 26 September, Titirangi RSA
[Tickets from undertheradar.co.nz]
• 28 September Leigh Sawmill

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