Black Country Communion

Black Country Communion Biography

Black Country Communion is an English-American hard rock band based in Los Angeles active from 2009-2017, California. Formed in 2009, the band is a supergroup comprising bassist and vocalist Glenn Hughes, guitarist and vocalist Joe Bonamassa, drummer Jason Bonham, and keyboardist Derek Sherinian. Originally formed by Hughes and Bonamassa with the help of producer Kevin Shirley, the group released its debut album Black Country in September 2010. Second album 2 followed in June 2011, which was promoted on a European tour later in the year. The band released its third album Afterglow in October 2012. They disbanded in 2013, to return with their fourth album in September 2017. The band was initiated as a side project by Hughes and Bonamassa following a performance together in Los Angeles in November 2009, who on the advice of Shirley recruited Bonham and Sherinian later in the year. The name Black Country Communion is derived from the term Black Country, referring to the West Midlands area of England where Hughes and Bonham were brought up. The group's sound is intentionally reminiscent of popular classic rock groups of the 1970s, reflecting the previous work of frontman Hughes as well as the link between Bonham and his father John's band Led Zeppelin. After disbanding Glenn Hughes and Jason Bonham formed California Breed and Derek Sherinian joined Joe Bonamassa's touring band. Their reunion album from 2017 is entitled BCC IV. It’s the first album to be released since the band’s breakup in 2013. Recorded in Malibu, California, with producer Kevin Shirley, released on September 22, 2017. BCC IV expanded the combination of blues rock (Bonamassa’s solo work) and hard rock (Hughes’ previous work with Deep Purple and Black Sabbath, and Bonham’s link with Led Zeppelin) that took place on the first three albums. It’s a high quality hard rock album that brings a great feeling that classic rock is alive and in good hands. Recorded in only seven days, the band was careful enough not to repeat the previous albums. BCC IV sounds bolder with heavy riffs, undeniable hooks, melodic flair and infectious choruses. Kevin Shirley’s importance is huge by guiding the band into the right directions for the album’s best interest, and the result is spectacular.