Cowboys & Aliens

Cowboys & Aliens started their musical career way back in 1996. At that time the band performed a different kind of music (more alternative rock) in a slightly different line-up. They recorded a debut album and played lots of gigs. Looking back at these beginning years, the bands considers this time more as a sort of learning process, in preparation for the bigger work they had in mind. But let us not talk about the past. Today, Cowboys & Aliens is one of these bands that can create a real buzz, purely out of live-performances. Several half-legendary Belgian bands had to break up to make this happen. The current and more steady line up makes the chemistry work as one can hear on 2 superb albums released on Buzzville Records. Singer Henk V. has a powerful, yet clear and very emotional voice that makes an exciting contrast with the band's sound. Without any doubt, this vocalist is one of the best rocksingers Belgium has ever had. Henk is a classic rocksinger in the vein of John Garcia and even Robert Plant. Guitar player John P. can be seen as the musical brain of the band, writing songs and producing layer upon layer of low, heavy & rhythmic guitar spawns, which makes the band's sound so unique. Yet Cowboys & Aliens would not be the same without the driving-force of Kris V (bass) and Peter G (drums), the solid rhythm section. Both musicians find their roots in the 70 pre-metal bands like Black Sabbath & Co. They add a certain good old heavy swing to the more metal driven riffs. This is definitely what you call "groove at it's best". Talking influences, one can name anything between Sabbath & John Spencer. Cool classic rock with a groove driven sound. 2000 release "A Trip To The Stonehenge Colony" was recorded at The Hype Studios and produced by D.J., known for his work in the legendary 80's band La Muerte. D.J. has done a very good job, giving this album the right spirit and the wonderful groovy heavy sound which will make Cowboys & Aliens to be considered as one of the best Belgian bands of this era. Early 2002 Cowboys & Aliens are celebrating the release of yet another groove driven piece of rock entitled "Love, Sex, Volume". Under the moto 'never change a winning team' again the album was recorded at The Hype Studios, produced by DJ (of La Muerte fame) and mastered by Alan Ward. In September 2003 long time drummer Peter V. leaves the band due to musical differences. His decision came as a shock for the three remaining bandmembers but they decide to go on and start auditions for a new, suitable candidate for the vacant drumseat. Very soon drummer Johan VDS joins the band and leaves again after only a few months of rockin' out with the boys. In October 2004 local drummer Thailonius Monster joins the band. For some reason, after only one show, Thailonius thinks he can't live up to the expectations and in good old Spinal Tap tradition ... decides to leave. In the meantime Cowboys & Aliens starts writing new songs for the next album and late 2004 the band enters the studio to record "Language Of Superstars" with super-drummer Mario Goosens (of Hooverphonic & Triggerfinger fame) as a studio musician and Peter Iterbeke (Channel Zero / Feed) as producer. The search for a suitable drummer continues when all of sudden studio-musician Mario Goosens sees the light and, impressed as he is with the new material decides to join the band permanently as the new drummer. Around the same time producer Peter Iterbeke realises this is the band he wanted all along and joins in as second guitarist. Along the road Cowboys & Aliens changes from the Buzzville to the Apache Productions label. The new album "Language Of Superstars" is set for a may 2005 release so be prepared for THE rock album of the decade which will definitely change the face of Belgian rock forever !