McCoy : The Sound of Thunder : 3CD Box Set for fans of Gillan and Samson
A truly special box set that captures the essence of one of rock’s most dynamic bass players, John McCoy. If you’re a fan of the Gillan band or have a soft spot for classic rock and metal from the late ’70s and ’80s, this one’s for you.
For those who might not be immediately familiar with the name, John McCoy is best known for his powerful bass playing with the Gillan Band during their heyday in the late ’70s and early ’80s. He played a pivotal role in albums like Mr. Universe, Glory Road, Future Shock, and Double Trouble, which are all essential listens for any fan of hard rock and metal. Before his time with Gillan, McCoy was also part of the jazz-rock outfit Zzebra and later joined the legendary metal band Samson, further cementing his status as a bass powerhouse.
This new 3CD box set, The Sound of Thunder, brings together 3CDs of John McCoy’s work. It includes the McCoy EP, which was released shortly after the Gillan band disbanded, alongside the full-length albums Think Hard and Brainstorm. To top it all off, there’s a live recording from 1977 featuring Paul Samson.
Disc 1: McCoy EP and Think Hard
The first disc features the McCoy EP, including the standout track “Oh Well,” a devastatingly good cover of the Fleetwood Mac classic. This EP showcases McCoy’s raw energy and talent, with contributions from other notable musicians like Colin Towns and Paul Samson. The Think Hard album continues in this vein, delivering a rough-and-ready rock sound that’s both immediate and powerful. Tracks like “Free Mind,” “Living Lies,” and “Heads Will Roll” highlight McCoy’s significant influence in shaping the sound of the Gillan band.
Disc 2: Brainstorm
Brainstorm was released in 1998, a time when rock music was struggling to find its place amidst the rise of grunge and nu-metal. Despite this, Brainstorm stands as a lost rock masterpiece. The album ranges from aggressive heavy metal to more melodic tracks that harken back to McCoy’s earlier work and also Mammoth. It’s a hidden gem that many fans may have missed at the time.
Disc 3: Live 1977 with Paul Samson
The third disc is perhaps the most intriguing for fans—a live recording from 1977 featuring McCoy with Paul Samson. It’s important to note that this recording is a bootleg, likely captured on a cassette player with a tiny microphone somewhere in the crowd. While the sound quality isn’t perfect, the historical significance and the raw energy of the performance make it a worthy inclusion. You can hear McCoy’s bass lines clearly, and Samson’s guitar work is as impressive as ever. The recording was made by Chris Alymer who would become Samson’s Bass Guitarist after John McCoy joined Gillan.
This box set is a fantastic addition to the collection of any Gillan fan or anyone who appreciates the heavy, raw power of late ’70s and early ’80s rock.
Thank you to HNE Records and Cherry Red for bringing this music back into the spotlight. Whether you missed out on these albums the first time around or are discovering them for the first time, this set offers an exciting opportunity to experience the brilliance of John McCoy’s work.
Phil Aston | Now Spinning Magazine