Bio

This year sees Auckland’s Bernie Griffen step out into new territory with his second album Salvation, recorded at Auckland’s The Lab studio in May 2014 with star-studded band The Thin Men comprised of the formidable Chris O’Connore [The Phoenix Foundation, SJD and more] Mike Hall [Pluto, Nightchoir] Mathias Jordan [Pluto, Nightchoir] Jolyon Mulholland [Gasoline Cowboy, Mulholland] Steve Roach [Bernie Griffen and the Grifters] Louise Evans [The Flaming Pearls] and Bernie’s long-time partner/collaborator Kirsten Warner [The Flaming Pearls].

The new record sings out like a scream in a quiet night -- Bernie’s characters are hard-living and hard-loving, outlaw and savior, the lover and the man in trouble -- Bernie Griffen tells tales of adventure, loss and a life hard lived.
It’s a timely follow-up from 2011’s Everything So Far (Bernie Griffen and the Grifters) -- which featured the song 29 Diamonds, championed by Radio NZ’s Trevor Reekie in 2011: "If there’s any justice in this industry, 29 Diamonds would win a Silver Scroll, it is achingly poignant and it will travel forever."

Founding member of The Grifters, Bernie has been front and centre of New Zealand’s music scene for nearly two decades, as long-time and well-loved host of 95 bFM’s Border Radio show as well as performer and champion of independent Kiwi music and a founder of the alt-country show The Gunslinger’s Ball.

In 2009 the big-voiced, charismatic figure started to emerge as a notable singer-songwriter. A powerful voice full of soul, humour and sadness, Bernie Griffen is a story-teller to the core, penning songs about characters real and imagined existing in a world of criminals and saints; dusty feet and wounded hearts.

Griffen draws influence from blues, from the country-rock of Gram Parsons and The Grateful Dead, the sharp-tongued lyrical wit of Bob Dylan, the mournful wails of Neil Young and outlaw country singers like Johnny Cash.

Having warmed the stage for such esteemed touring acts as Emmylou Harris, Justin Townes Earle, Little Band of Gold and Eilen Jewell, Griffen is a well-travelled performer who sings his heart-felt and unique brand of blues-based folk music with passion and driving delivery. You’d be wise to head down to the waterhole and be baptised by the big man himself, Bernie Griffen.
In performance, The Thin Men are Bernie Griffen (acoustic guitar, banjo, vocals) Kirsten Warner (acoustic guitar and vocals) Steve Roach (lead guitar and vocals) Marcus Dawson (bass and vocals) Louise Evans (fiddle) Ben Collier (drums).

Sadly, Bernie Griffen passed away in August 2023.

Band Members:
In performance, The Thin Men are:

Bernie Griffen (acoustic guitar, banjo, vocals)
Kirsten Warner (acoustic guitar, vocals)
Steve Roach (lead guitar, vocals)
Marcus Lawson (bass, vocals)
Louise Evans (fiddle)
Chris O'Connor (drums)

Links

• Artist Website
• Facebook Page
• Bandcamp Page
• SoundCloud Page
• Apple Music Page