When ZZ Top graces the stage, fans expect to be transported by the iconic sounds of “La Grange,” “Cheap Sunglasses,” “Sharp Dressed Man,” and “Legs.” This expectation largely holds true even when witnessing Billy F. Gibbons, the band’s legendary guitarist and singer, in his solo endeavors with his group, the BFGs. While these performances often feature ZZ Top classics, Gibbons also delves into deeper cuts from their catalog, his solo albums, and a diverse range of covers, spanning from blues icon Slim Harpo to guitar god Jimi Hendrix.
“The Billy F. Gibbons’ roadshow offers a different experience from a typical ZZ Top set,” Gibbons recently shared in an interview, highlighting the distinct nature of his solo project. “The ‘out-of-the-box’ BFGs style encourages a departure from rigid structures. Our setlist is quite eclectic, considerably more so than ZZ Top’s, and definitely embraces experimentation.” He further illustrated this point by mentioning the inclusion of The Chantays’ surf instrumental classic “Pipeline” during their Hawaii performance, which was met with enthusiastic reception and hinted at further “surfing” as their tour progresses.
Currently touring the U.S., Gibbons is joined by the formidable talents of drummer Chris Layton, renowned for his work with Stevie Ray Vaughn in Double Trouble, and guitarist/keyboardist Mike Flanigan. This trio forms the core of the BFGs, delivering a raw and blues-infused sound that showcases Gibbons’ guitar prowess in a fresh context.
“Chris ‘Whipper’ and Mike ‘The Drifter’ are the epitome of professional musicians,” Gibbons remarked on his bandmates. “We’ve collaborated for a while now, notably in our annual ‘Jungle Show’ at Antone’s, featuring numerous special guests worldwide. Chris is a legendary figure in drumming, and Mike, a seasoned guitar slinger and gifted Hammond B3 keyboardist, creates a powerfully simple yet dynamic rhythm section. It’s all deeply rooted in the blues, providing us with an inspiring shared musical language.”
The BFGs tour, launched on January 17th, coincided with the release of Gibbons’ latest solo single, the high-octane rocker “Livin’ It Up Down In Texas.” This track instantly evokes the iconic sound of ZZ Top’s blockbuster ‘80s albums, Eliminator and Afterburner, immediately recognizable thanks to Gibbons’ signature guitar tone and vocal delivery. Adding to its prominence, the song was previewed in Taylor Sheridan’s new television series Landman, starring Billy Bob Thornton, Demi Moore, and Jon Hamm. Gibbons co-wrote the song with Thornton and Mark Collie, who also stars in the series as Sheriff Walt Joeberg.
“Taylor Sheridan desired a raw and rowdy song to capture the essence of Landman, which explores the rugged and untamed world of Texas oil fields,” Gibbons explained, reflecting on the song’s origins. “Billy Bob, a long-time friend, reached out to collaborate on a song fitting for the series’ atmosphere. When we asked about the desired ‘feel,’ we received a photo of a raging oil well fire, accompanied by a note: ‘Write something that sounds like this photo looks.’ Perfect, Billy Bob.”
The song’s thematic connection to the oil industry extends beyond its lyrics, resonating in the rhythmic drumming reminiscent of a pumpjack’s pulse. Gibbons elaborated, “Following the session, the song emerged with a semi-autobiographical quality, as nearly everyone in Texas has some connection to the oil industry. Having spent countless hours traversing Texas, that infamous territory remains deeply ingrained in our collective experience. The song’s release is a genuine narrative and commentary on that unique oil-patch mentality.”
Gibbons’ friendship with Thornton, a musician in his own right, spans decades. He fondly recalled Thornton’s time as the drummer for Tres Hombres, a band Gibbons jokingly nominated as “Best Little ZZ Top Tribute Band in Texas.” “Billy Bob is musically gifted on every level, in addition to his successful acting career. His authentic sensibility greatly contributed to the song’s character, alongside Mark and engineer CJ Boggs.”
“Livin’ It Up Down In Texas” serves as a tantalizing preview of Gibbons’ forthcoming solo album, a follow-up to his 2021 release Hardware. “This Landman track aligns perfectly with the direction of my new solo recordings,” Gibbons revealed. “The upcoming collection features fresh sonic perspectives alongside some intriguing cover songs. We believe it’s quite appealing.”
For fans eager to experience Billy Gibbons’ guitar mastery live, the BFGs tour continues across the U.S. through February 20th. Detailed show dates are available on Gibbons’ website.
