The Gubbins are a five strong rock band from somewhere in Wales. Acording to their MySpace page they are ‘a group of footpads, sheep-stealers, beggers, cutpurses, cut-throats and highwaymen who inhabited the area around Lydford in Devon around the time of the English Civil War.’

I’m not sure if that is true or not, but I can tell you that if it is then they have all aged extremely well, especially the lead singer who looks, to me, like a young Richard Branson. Another thing I can tell you is that their old age has not diminished their ability to write a good song.

I listened to all the songs on their MySpace page a few times, and while they were all very good something about Jack the Lad caught my attention more than the others.

I love the way the music flows smoothly between the cool and mellow guitar with the harmonica accompaniment in what I think is the chorus, and the restrained power that dwells within what I think is the verse.

The song stands out for me, I think because it showcases the wide ranging talents of the band. While songs like ‘Is this your life?’ and ‘Life outside the lines’ show that they know how to write a great rock song that can get your blood pumping, ‘Jack the Lad’ shows that they have both the technical ability and the confidence to excel when the tempo is slowed and the volume is turned down a little.

The musicianship of this band is exceptional, but that’s not surprising considering they have a combined age of over 1800.