10cc drummer Paul Burgess has joined forces with Craig Fletcher and Jez Smith from John Lee’s Barclay James Harvest along with singer-songwriters Clive Gregson and Neil Cossar in a new band The Guilty Men. The band are set to play their first live dates in December after releasing their debut album Invisible Confetti in the fall.
The video for “Susan’s Back Drinking,” the first single from the album, was directed by Award-winning filmmaker Nigel Dick known for producing the Britney Spears video “…Baby One More Time,” Band-Aid’s “Do They Know It’s Christmas?,” Oasis’ “Wonderwall” and videos for R.E.M, Cher, Paul McCartney, Tears for Fears and more. You can check it out below.
Burgess joined 10cc as an auxiliary member in 1973, from the first gig onwards after working with Eric Stewart and Graham Gouldman on sessions at Strawberry Studios. He first appeared on Deceptive Bends the fifth studio album by 10cc, released in 1977, the first album released by the band after the departure of founding members Kevin Godley and Lol Creme and produced the hit single “The Things We Do for Love”.
Outside of The Guilty Men, Burgess has remained in the 10cc line-up since then has also toured and recorded with Jethro Tull, Camel, Magna Carta, The Invisible Girls, Joan Armatrading, Elkie Brooks, Gloria Gaynor and The Icicle Works.
Keyboardist Jez Smith and bassist and singer joined John Lees’ Barclay James Harvest in the late 90’s. The band originally featured “Woolly” Stuart Wolstenholme on keyboards before his death in December 2010. John Lees announced on his website that his band would not tour after their 2023 gigs across Europe.
Singer-songwriter Clive Gregson formed Any Trouble in the late 70s and signed to Stiff Records. The band released 5 studio albums leaving Stiff Records in 1982 with a move to EMI America. After the band called it a day Gregson formed the folk rock duo Gregson and Collister. Gregson has also worked with Boo Hewerdine, Eddi Reader, Nanci Griffith, Ian Matthews and Dennis Locorriere.
Gregson’s reputation as a songwriter has led to his songs being recorded by artists, including Nanci Griffith (“I Love This Town”), Kim Carnes (“Touch and Go”), Fairport Convention (“Home Is Where the Heart Is”), Claire Martin (“Could This Be the One?”), Norma Waterson (“Fred Astaire”) and Smokie (“Northern Soul”). Gregson’s “I Love This Town” was recorded as a duet by Nanci Griffith and Jimmy Buffett in 2006, becoming a radio hit in the UK and U.S.
Guitarist and singer-songwriter Neil Cossar formed the power pop group The Cheaters in 1978 signing with Parlophone Records in 1980, and later released three albums. In 1981 The Cheaters were named “The hardest working group in the UK” by Radio 1 after playing 321 live dates over 12 months. The band also found success in Scandinavia where their debut album topped the charts. Cossar has also worked as a radio presenter and launched the online site This Day in Music in 1999 as well as a music publishing company.
The Guilty Men: UK Live dates:
Thu, Dec 5, Whittles, Oldham
Fri, Dec 6, The Globe Inn, Glossop
Sun, Dec 8, The Greystones, Sheffield
Thu, Dec 12, The Hare and Hounds, Birmingham
Sat, Dec 14, Ropery Hall, Barton-upon-Humber
Sun, Dec 15, Artisan Tap, Stoke-on-Trent
Wed, Dec 18, The Hug and Pint, Glasgow
Thu, Dec 19, Cluny 2, Newcastle Upon Tyne
2025:
Thu, Feb 13, Lamproom. Barnsley
Fri, Feb 14, Friarage Theatre, Yarm
Sat, Feb 15, Settle Victoria Hall, Settle
Wed, Feb 19, The International, Leicester
Thu, Feb 20, Huntingdon Hall, Worcester
Fri, Feb 21, The Met, Stafford
Sat, Feb 22, Otley Courthouse, Otley
Tue, Feb 25, The Crescent Community Venue, York
Thu, Feb 27, The Junction, Goole
Sat, Mar 1, Pound Arts, Corsham
Sun, Mar 2, Lyric Theatre, Carmarthen
Tue, Mar 11, Backstage at The Green Hotel, Kinross
Sat, Mar 15, The Plough Arts Centre, Great Torrington
Mon, Mar 17, Junction 2, Cambridge
Tue, Mar 18, Sudbury Quay Theatre, Sudbury
Fri, Mar 21, Arts for Hungerford, Hungerford
Sat, Mar 22, The Lighthouse, Poole
Listen to Invisible Confetti on Apple Music and Spotify.