Billy Gibbons’ Guitar Mastery Shines Beyond ZZ Top with The BFGs

ZZ Top, the “little ol’ band from Texas,” is synonymous with iconic guitar riffs and blues-rock anthems like “La Grange,” “Cheap Sunglasses,” “Sharp Dressed Man,” and “Legs.” Fans flock to their concerts expecting these classics, and founding guitarist Billy F. Gibbons rarely disappoints. However, Gibbons’ musical journey extends beyond the legendary trio, especially with his side project, Billy F. Gibbons and the BFGs. While his solo shows with the BFGs might include some ZZ Top deep cuts, they offer a much broader musical palette, showcasing his solo work, blues roots, and surprising covers from artists like Slim Harpo and Jimi Hendrix.

“The Billy F. Gibbons’ roadshow is intentionally different from what people anticipate at a ZZ Top show,” Gibbons recently explained. “The BFGs style is ‘out-of-the-box’ and allows for a break from rigid formatting. Our setlist is quite eclectic, far more so than a typical ZZ Top set, and definitely embraces musical experimentation. For instance, performing The Chantays’ surf rock instrumental “Pipeline” in Hawaii felt completely natural and was incredibly well-received. We’ll likely keep incorporating that ‘surf’ vibe as our tour continues.”

Currently touring the U.S., the BFGs lineup features Gibbons alongside two seasoned musicians: drummer Chris Layton, famed for his work with Stevie Ray Vaughan’s Double Trouble, and guitarist/keyboardist Mike Flanigan. This trio delivers a raw and powerful blues-rock experience, highlighting Gibbons’ guitar virtuosity in a different context.

“Chris ‘Whipper’ and Mike ‘The Drifter’ are consummate professionals,” Gibbons states. “We’ve been collaborating for a while, particularly in our annual ‘Jungle Show’ at Antone’s, which has seen numerous special guests over the years. Chris is a drumming legend, and Mike is not only a seasoned guitar player but also a gifted Hammond B3 keyboardist. Together, they form a powerfully minimalist rhythm section. Our music is deeply rooted in the blues, which provides us with a wonderfully shared musical language.”

The BFGs’ tour launch coincided with the release of Gibbons’ latest solo single, “Livin’ It Up Down In Texas.” This track is a quintessential Gibbons rocker, instantly reminiscent of ZZ Top’s iconic ‘80s albums Eliminator and Afterburner. It features his signature guitar tone and vocals, instantly recognizable to any fan. Adding to its appeal, 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 acts in the series.

“Taylor Sheridan wanted a raw and energetic song that captured the essence of the Landman series, which delves into the rugged world of the Texas oil fields,” Gibbons, a Houston native, explains. “Billy Bob, a long-time friend, reached out for us to collaborate on a song that fit the show’s atmosphere. When we asked about the desired ‘feel,’ he sent a photo of a blazing oil well with a note: ‘Write something that sounds like this looks.’ Perfect direction from Billy Bob.”

The song’s driving rhythm, particularly the pulsating drums, subtly evokes the rhythmic motion of a pumpjack, further grounding it in the oil field theme. Gibbons elaborates, “The song became almost autobiographical as so many in Texas have some connection to the oil industry. Having spent countless hours across Texas, that territory is deeply familiar to us. The song’s release is a genuine narrative and commentary on that unique oil-patch mindset.”

Gibbons and Thornton’s friendship spans decades, with Thornton even playing drums in Tres Hombres, a ZZ Top tribute band, which Gibbons jokingly called “Best Little ZZ Top Tribute Band in Texas.” “Billy Bob is incredibly musical on every level, alongside his successful acting career. His authentic sensibility, along with Mark and engineer CJ Boggs’ contributions, shaped the song’s character.”

“Livin’ It Up Down In Texas” serves as a taste of Gibbons’ forthcoming solo album, the follow-up to his 2021 release Hardware. “The Landman track aligns perfectly with the direction of my new solo recordings,” Gibbons reveals. “The upcoming collection features fresh sonic textures alongside some intriguing cover songs. We believe it’s a very engaging and enjoyable record.”

The BFGs tour is ongoing in the U.S. through February 20th. For complete tour dates and ticket information, please visit Gibbons’ official website.