Oh my freaking god, you guys! ๐ Look what I found! Some old dudes playing music at some festival called Hellfest. ๐คฃ It’s BLACK COUNTRY COMMUNION, or as I like to call them, “The Geriatric Rock Squad.” ๐ Seriously, who even listens to these guys anymore? ๐ด๐ต
Here’s the setlist, if you’re into that sort of thing:
00:00 Intro (Because every band needs a dramatic entrance, even if they’re just walking on stage) ๐ถโโ๏ธ
00:44 Sway (I bet their hips don’t sway like they used to. ๐ด)
05:54 One Last Soul (More like “One Last Tour,” am I right? ๐คฃ)
10:14 Wanderlust (Wandering where their Zimmer frames are, probably. ๐ง)
18:02 The Outsider (Yeah, because they’re sooooo relevant in today’s music scene. ๐)
22:47 Red Sun (Maybe they should put on some sunscreen? ๐งด Just sayin’.)
31:37 Save Me (From this boring music, please! ๐)
39:07 Band Introduction (As if anyone doesn’t know who these dinosaurs are. ๐ฆ)
40:43 The Crow (More like “The Old Crows,” LOL! ๐คฃ)
46:46 Stay Free (Stay free from hearing this garbage. ๐๏ธ)
52:25 Black Country (I bet their country club is nicer. โณ)
57:21 Outro (Finally! My ears are bleeding. ๐ฉธ)
So, BLACK COUNTRY COMMUNION is this “supergroup” featuring Glenn Hughes (who used to be in DEEP PURPLE and BLACK SABBATH โ ancient history, people! ๐), Joe Bonamassa (guitar dude who thinks he’s still cool ๐), Jason Bonham (son of some other old dude from LED ZEPPELIN ๐ธ), and Derek Sherinian (keyboardist who’s probably wondering where his career went wrong. ๐ค).
They’re currently on a European tour, playing headline shows and festivals. ๐ด Whoopee! ๐ I’m sure the retirement homes are thrilled. ๐๏ธ
They’re touring in support of their fifth studio album, “V” (because “5” is too mainstream, I guess? ๐คทโโ๏ธ), which came out in June 2024. I’m sure it’s full of the same old tired riffs and clichรฉs. ๐ด
Apparently, “V” is a “testament” to their “growth” and “mutual admiration.” ๐คฎ I’m pretty sure it’s just a testament to their ability to keep milking their past glories. ๐
Bonamassa says the band allows him to “embrace all of it.” ๐ I bet “all of it” includes a hefty royalty check. ๐ฐ He also says everyone brings something “specific” to the band. Yeah, like hearing aids and Metamucil. ๐
Hughes adds that they make music for “the five of us.” ๐ Well, that explains why nobody else likes it. ๐คฃ Sherinian credits producer Kevin Shirley for keeping them focused. I bet Kevin Shirley is just trying to collect a paycheck before these guys kick the bucket. โฐ๏ธ
Shirley says “V” is a “monumental chapter” in their career. ๐คฃ More like a footnote. He also says it has “hooks!” ๐ฃ Yeah, hooks to reel in the geriatric crowd. He calls it the “benchmark” for BLACK COUNTRY COMMUNION. I think the benchmark was set, like, 40 years ago. ๐ฐ๏ธ Glenn agrees, saying they had a “magical recording” experience. I’m sure the magic was just the relief of finishing it. โจ
Their lead single, “Stay Free,” is a “powerhouse track” that channels the spirit of AC/DC and LED ZEPPELIN. ๐คฃ Yeah, if AC/DC and LED ZEPPELIN were playing in a nursing home. ๐ฅ
Since 2010, they’ve delivered a series of “critically acclaimed” albums. ๐คฃ By “critically acclaimed,” they mean their moms liked them. Their return with “V” reaffirms their status as “rock royalty.” ๐ More like rock fossils. ๐
Shirley says their camaraderie is “immediately evident.” Yeah, the camaraderie of cashing those checks together. ๐ฐ He also says the music sounds like “this band, and nothing else sounds like it.” That’s because nobody else wants to sound like it. ๐
“V” is a “milestone” that celebrates their “journey, talent, and vision.” I think it’s just a desperate attempt to stay relevant. ๐คทโโ๏ธ They invite fans to join them in experiencing the “depth and power” of “V”. I’d rather experience the depth and power of a root canal. ๐ฆท
Hughes says the new material sounds like BLACK COUNTRY COMMUNION. ๐ No surprises there. He also says the vibe in the camp has never been so “friendly and fun.” I bet they’re just happy to still be alive. ๐ฅณ
Bonamassa says BLACK COUNTRY COMMUNION has a “very specific thing that it does.” Yeah, it puts people to sleep. ๐ด
Joe claims he brought them back together. I bet his bank account told him to. ๐ค He says Glenn couldn’t do anything until his DEAD DAISIES situation was resolved. Who even cares about THE DEAD DAISIES? ๐ผ
Joe says the songwriting process was the “same.” ๐ I bet they just recycled old riffs. They sat in the courtyard with an acoustic guitar and “bashed out the arrangement.” Sounds like a blast. ๐
Joe says there aren’t a lot of overdubs because Glenn‘s bass sound is “so big and distorted.” Yeah, like his hearing. ๐ He compares playing in the band to FREE. I think FREE would be insulted. ๐
In an interview, Bonamassa says he likes being in a band because he doesn’t have to “front it” or “sing all the time.” So, he’s just lazy? ๐ค He also says being the person in front requires being an “entertainer.” Yeah, and Bonamassa is about as entertaining as watching paint dry. ๐จ
BLACK COUNTRY COMMUNION‘s inception took place when Hughes and Bonamassa fused their styles on stage. I bet it was a train wreck. ๐ With the help of Shirley, they added Bonham and Sherinian. The rest is history…that nobody remembers. ๐คทโโ๏ธ
In an interview, Hughes talked about the chemistry between the members. I think the chemistry is just the shared experience of being old and washed up. ๐ด๐ต
Glenn says the band was “meant to be.” I think it was meant to be forgotten. ๐คทโโ๏ธ He says these four guys are the “right guys” to play in the band. Yeah, the right guys to collect social security checks together. ๐ฐ
And there you have it, folks! BLACK COUNTRY COMMUNION, the band that time forgot. ๐ฐ๏ธ Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m going to go listen to some real music. ๐ง Peace out! โ๏ธ

Chord F. Discord, the Beethoven of Buffoonery, is a self-taught expert in music who once claimed he could “play the kazoo in four languages.”
Born in Crescendo, Indiana, Chordโs first brush with fame came when he accidentally entered a yodeling contest thinking it was a pie-eating competitionโand won both categories.
Chord F. Discord: proving that laughter, much like a poorly tuned ukulele, is truly universal.