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~ the animals ~ animals and friends ~
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With lineage rooted in the finest British bands, Casbah Club comes forth with its own distinctive classic rock sound ...
Formed in 2005, Casbah Club comprises three well seasoned British rock talents: Simon Townshend (The Who), Bruce Foxton (The Jam), and Mark Brzezicki (Big Country). Considered by some to be among the most experienced and accomplished musicians in the country.
Simon Townshend has been recording and performing since the age of nine, successfully self-producing and independently releasing five well received CD's. In addition, Simon has worked with numerous established artists, including nine years as guitarist and now producer for The Who. Along with his brother Pete, Simon has become a permanent fixture in one of the world's most famous rock bands.
Bruce Foxton was a founder member and bass guitarist in The Jam, who were one of the most successful groups of their generation. The band had 4 number one hit singles and released 6 albums during their monumental career. Since 1990 Bruce has toured the world with Stiff Little Fingers.
Mark Brzezicki is best known as the drummer in Big Country. Big Country were given their big break by The Jam when they were invited to join Foxton's band on their farewell tour which included five nights at Wembley Arena. Major worldwide success followed for Mark when Big Country's debut album, The Crossing, sold over 3 million copies and earned them 2 Grammy nominations, ensuring they would be remembered by the world as one of Scotland's favourite acts. Mark has gone on to perform with a long roster of premiere acts including The Cult, Procol Harum and Pete Townshend.
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Del Bromham formed the band "STRAY" in 1966.
They soon secured a recording contract with Transatlantic releasing their first album STRAY in 1970 featuring the song ALL IN YOUR MIND which soon became the group's anthem and was later recorded by IRON MAIDEN. Following the release of their second album SUICIDE, the band finally tasted chart success with their third release SATURDAY MORNING PICTURES for which the legendary Rainbow Theatre in London's Finsbury Park was hired to premier the album at a Saturday Morning Picture show - those were the days! Constant gigging around Europe built a huge following for the band and elevated Del Bromham amongst the all-time great guitarists.
Del Bromham has now completed his first blues based solo album DEVILS' HIGHWAY.
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Connie Lush and Blues Shouter
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Widely recognised as one of the finest blues singers that the United Kingdom has ever produced. That indisputable fact was acknowledged when she was voted Best UK Female Vocalist by readers of Blues In Britain for 5 separate years, earning a richly deserved place in the Gallery of the Greats. She is also increasingly recognised on the continent, particularly in France, where she was honoured in the French Blues Trophies awards as European Singer of the Year for 2002. There are no separate awards for male & female singers in the European category, so Connie defeated all challengers. It is less appreciated that Connie's musical talents go beyond singing. She is a highly accomplished songwriter, confirmed by many excellent self-penned songs that form the content of her live & recorded repertoire. She has also written TV themes and featured as a DJ on Jazz FM.
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Since 1973 Dr Feelgood always offer 100% of the finest Rhythm n Blues to make you feelgood. The band contain three of the members who played alongsid Lee Brilleaux. Kevin Morris, Phil Mitchell and Steve Walwyn. The band is now fronted by ex Animals 2 frntman Robert Kane. Without doubt Dr Feelgood have the perfect medicine to give any festival a great fix of driving blues at its best.
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Sean Webster is the front man guitar vocalist for the 3 piece band with a fast-growing reputation on the British Blues and rock scene. Founded in June of 2003, theirs is a sound that comprises a sharp sense of song writing and a strong feel for the contemporary blues rock of the current era.
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Lancashire's top blues / rhythm'n'blues band
Founder member of Slack Alice in 1973, Cliff had previously played in 'travelling jukeboxes' touring working men's clubs, American air force bases and venues in Germany, etc. After the initial incarnation of Slack Alice, Cliff went on to record an album 'Billy Plus Nine' as Stocker, Greenwood & Friends in 1979. During the 70's he undertook a lot of session work for Chapell Music.
Later he was a member of Seven Year Itch with Dave Walmley (ex Los Bravos - of 'Black Is Black' fame) and based in Europe for a number of years. The band had a hit record in Holland 'Oh Ya Ha' (which resurfaced on Slack Alice's 'Broken Dreams' album).
Reformed Slack Alice in 1996, Cliff's distinctive gravel edged vocals are reminscent of Joe Cocker and Rod Stewart.
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Sam Hird
Sam is without doubt One of the freshest Artist on the Blues scene.
His Debut album boasts the Guitar legend Jerry Donahue along with one of the Globes finest Saxophone players, Snake Davis.
The press are dubbing him the British Jeff Buckley.
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Born in Glasgow's East End, Jim, heavily influenced by the voices of Ray Charles and Otis Redding ,joined his first band at the age of 14. Moving to London, he formed the band Bandit and went on to sign to Clive Davis' Arista Records. This brought his voice to the attention of the Godfather of British Blues, Alexis Korner, who invited him to work with him on his "Just Easy" album.
Jim was then approached to go to Los Angeles to form a band with Earl Slick (guitarist on Bowie's "Young Americans") and Carmine Appice from Rod Stewart's band. All three went on to write and record with Eddie Kramer, the legendary producer of Jimmi Hendrix. While in LA, Jim was asked to return to London to hook up with Tony Hymas and Simon Phillips from the Jeff Beck band and so Ph.D were formed. The first single taken from "Ph.D The Album", "I Won't Let You Down" went on to sell millions and become the classic song that it is today. The second album "Is it Safe?" also included a European hit, "I Didn't Know", which included Jeff Beck on guitar.
When Ph.D went their separate ways, Jim signed to A&M Records. Taken from his 1984 solo album "Double Crossed" the single "I Should Have Known Better" went straight to No.1 and went on to be nominated for an Ivor Novello award. The song's success became synonymous with the Band Aid single released at the same time when Jim urged the public to buy the charity single and not his own.
His next single "Hi Ho Silver" taken from his second solo album "Desire for Freedom" scored Jim another top ten hit.
In 1993 Jim was approached by Polygram records to write and record an album, and teaming up with Graham Lyle they released his top twenty eponymous album that year. After which, Jim went on the road to perform his songs acoustically in art centres across the country ending up at the Edinburgh Festival where The Scotsman described him, in their 5 star review, as Scotland's answer to Ray Charles and a writer of hidden depth.
In the late nineties Jim met up with saxophonist Snake Davis (MD of M People), and discovering a shared love of blues and soul they joined forces and performed together to critical acclaim.
Through Snake, Jim then met hammond player extraordinaire Paul Birchall and together they set about writing and recording Jim's new album "SOULED AND HEALED", released on the 7th February on Hypertension Records. (HYP 5234)
And so a life in music goes on...
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The Hamsters have been voted one of the UK's best bands by Kerrang magazine. Even BBC's Top Gear magazine recognises the band as the UK's hardest working, and featured them in an article on in-car entertainment, the Hamsters being the ideal people to ask as they're always travelling somewhere.
Now in their nineteenth year together, having performed more than 3,500 concerts and with a national mailing list exceeding 20,000, the Hamsters are established as the UK's premier blues-rock attraction. This has been achieved purely by hard work with the band handling all their own affairs, thereby disproving the popular misconception that it can't be done without major-label "muscle".
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Eric Bell Band
Ex Thin Lizzy
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Eric Bell was a founder member of Thin Lizzy one of Ireland's biggest, brightest and best bands.
He met Philip Lynott and drummer Brian Downey in Dublin in 1969 and together they formed the band which was one of the first Irish bands to be a huge success all over the world.
Eric stayed with the band until 1973 during which time they recorded and released their first three albums: Thin Lizzy , Shades of a Blue Orphanage and Vagabonds of the Western World with Eric playing guitar, singing and helping to write many of the songs with Philip.
The band's first massive hit was Whiskey in the Jar with Eric's distinctive guitar work which he has turned into his own special anthem. The Rocker was a second big hit and is still hugely popular at live gigs.
Before forming Thin Lizzy, Eric used to play in an Irish showband called The Dreams and he also had his own band: Shades of Blue.
Eric has worked with Van Morrison and Them, Jimi Hendrix's bassist Noel Redding, Rory Gallagher, Bo Diddley, Henry McCullough, Dick Heckstall-Smith, Keith Tilman and Keef Hartley.
He also has his own blues band, the Eric Bell Band, and has made four CDs: Live Tonite, Irish Boy, Live Tonite Plus and A Blues Night In Dublin.
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The Animals was one of the most important bands originating from England during the '60s. The group is widely considered the raunchiest, the dirtiest, the most authentic and uncompromisingly raw band of their time. Formed in Newcastle-Upon-Tyne, by John Steel and Eric Burdon, the group reflected their earthy upbringing with hard-charging, blues-based rock 'n roll, deriving much of their early repertoire from American Blues and R & B sources.
Rock and roll hall of fame inductee and founding member of The Animals, John Steel is still present today. Performing all the classic hits including, House of the rising sun, We gotta get out of this place, Dont let me be misunderstood, It's my life. Bring it on home to me, I'm crying plus many more. John is joined on stage by fellow 1965 Animals keyboard player Mickey Gallagher(also from The Blockheads and The Clash). John Williamson (Titanic) and Peter Barton (The Mindbenders).
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THE DAVE KELLY BAND/CHRISTINE COLLISTER: Arguably two of Britain's best voices .... touring together for the first time. Christine's rich velvet vocals - Dave's achingly soulful blues voice .... performing a set of soul, r&b, country, folk ... and much more. The voices are but the icing to a great night of music performed by their dextrous, solid...yet subtle band featuring Gary Fletcher, Pick Withers, Peter Filleul and Peter Emery.
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From Blues/Rock to Folk/Rock to Soul, to playing in a Country band at Wembley Arena, to writing/performing in Rock band, Panama Scandal, Gary's early musical years were multifarious. In the mid 70s he joined long running Blues/Rock band, Sam Apple Pie, later known as The Vipers. It was during this time that Gary met Dave Kelly who he joined in The Blues Band. Gary's songwriting features in both the Blues Band and Dave Kelly Band sets, as well as in his own solo work
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The Leeds -based foursome release 'Hands and Bridges' - their eagerly awaited follow-up to their acclaimed debut, 'Like Everybody' - on May 16th. Not only is the CD (described by BOB HARRIS as 'a lovely album') once more released via their own label, this time there are no other musicians featured - with every note written, sung, and played by the four girls on this self-written and self-produced release.
Says Patsy Matheson: "When we first started to write and arrange together we knew we had something special. We've all done solo projects before but as a foursome we feel we have more energy, more drive, more creativity - and we certainly have more fun! Waking the Witch is like being part of an extended family, it just feels right."
Conceived in January 2003, PATSY MATHESON, JOOLS PARKER, BECKY MILLS and RACHEL GOODWIN soon made their mark on the northern scene, where their ability to captivate audiences rapidly gained them a devoted following. News of the strength of their live performance spread rapidly, and soon they were appearing at countless venues throughout the U.K.
The launch of their ground breaking debut CD 'Like Everybody' in October 2003 produced a wave of excitement throughout the UK acoustic music circuit and by the Spring of 2004, they had completed a national tour as guests of the recently formed super group, Casbah Club (featuring BRUCE FOXTON of THE JAM and members of the Scottish rock group, BIG COUNTRY). During the Summer, they made appearances at many UK festivals, including Trowbridge, Nantwich and Beverley. Their appearance at the 2004 Glastonbury Festival was so impressive that it resulted in them being invited to perform at the after show party, as part of a band including GLENN TILBROOK of SQUEEZE.
Waking The Witch are all acclaimed solo artists in their own right, with musical pedigrees to match. Patsy, Rachel, Jools and Bex have at one time or another appeared as guests with the likes of CHRISTY MOORE, JOHN MARTYN, FAIRPORT CONVENTION, SAM BROWN and the SAW DOCTORS. But it is as a foursome that they have really made their mark. All four are respected guitar players, all write songs and all have voices to die for. Together, their voices build from haunting, delicate beauty to an explosion of soaring harmonies. Their melodies are rooted in blues and R&B, rock and folk, and the result is a sound that blends and transcends these genres into something unique and personal.
Their stunning debut album 'Like Everybody' took people by surprise with it's uniqueness and energy - and similarly, the new release, 'Hands & Bridges' radiates womanly zest and attitude, but unlike the first, it features just the voices of four girls and their four accompanying guitars, so the overall sound is more 'rootsy', definitely more 'acoustic' and a stunning recreation of what the band does live.
Waking the Witch are positive proof that there is plenty of exciting, vibrant new talent. The music industry is not dead, after all.
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King Pleasure and The Biscuit Boys
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They'll Swing You Into Bad Health!
King Pleasure & The Biscuit Boys present a breathtaking mix of 1940s Kansas City Jazz and Blues in a truly exhilarating, swinging, non-stop live stage performance.
Looking like they just stepped straight out of a 1940's black and white B movie, this inimitable six-piece delivers a shot of pure and authentic Jazz and Blues from a bygone era, when Swing was King.
The main man, King Pleasure, is unique. He sings, he romps, he roars, he relentlessly drives the band forward and clearly has such a ball as he does it. Bands are rarely blessed with such a huge personality, and the bonus comes with his sensational tenor sax playing.
These guys have thousands of shows and numerous albums under their crown and have enjoyed huge critical acclaim from both the press and their many fans worldwide.
Don't miss King Pleasure & The Biscuit Boys live on stage at a venue near you - it's an unforgettable musical experience.
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Danny Bryants Redeye Band
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Danny Bryant's RedEyeBand were born in 1999, the line up comprised of Danny Bryant - lead guitar/vocals/songwriter, Ken Bryant, his father, played bass and Andy Burt drums. In August 2004 Andy and the band decided to part company and Dave Raeburn [ex Hoax, ex Nimmo Brothers] was welcomed aboard, a very good pedigree to bring to Danny's band!
Ken's solid bass playing meshes perfectly with Dave to make a tight driving rhythm section. The band are a power house trio led by a guitar virtuoso [in the real sense of the word] who has an amazing ability to wring every last drop out of his guitar, and then a bit more! Danny's singing perfectly compliments his guitar playing, whether it is belting out a raw blues number, or a subtler rendition.
Most people by now know about the bond between Walter Trout and Danny and they are indeed firm friends. They love to jam together and a few lucky people have been able to witness this at some of Walter's concerts over the past three years, last year the band played two gigs with Walter and his band in Germany to sell out crowds who want them back again in their own right.
In July 2004 the band released their third album on Blues Matters Records, entitled 'Covering Their Tracks', the first time that the band have featured some covers as well as original songs, they have had so many requests from audiences to record these covers which they play live at shows that they bowed to popular demand. The album sold in great quantities, and their prior releases 'Watching You' [2002] and 'Shadows Passed [2003] are still selling extremely well.
The band have now released their fourth album on the Blues Matters label, entitled 'Days Like This' with special guest on the title track Walter Trout, this is proving to be their most popular release so far.
Danny and the band are going down a storm on the Continent, regularly touring over there to big, enthusiastic audiences, they culminated a tour by headlining Wespelaar Festival in to rapturous applause and several encores, leaving the stage with the crowd still begging for more! Closer to home, the band headlined the three day Rock and Blues Festival in Skegness UK and have been re-booked for this in 2006. In July 2005 they headlined another Belgium Festival, which the band and fans alike loved!
This band is all totally committed musicians who always give a fantastic show and who are bouncing up the musical ladder and won't stop until they reach the very top. They are fast becoming one of the most popular and hard working blues/rock bands on the festival/club circuit. Danny Bryant's RedEyeBand are one of the most exciting live stage acts you will ever see, if you have not already seen the band in action then make it your number one priority, you will be very glad you did!
"All of the superlatives that you could apply in describing his playing are appropriate: he plays with emotion, intensity, tone, and fluidity. His vocals are the perfect foil to his playing in that he has a powerful, bluesy, gravely voice that belies his age" Al Kaplan www.bluesrockers.ws
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Snake Davis and Jim Diamond
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Snake Davis is well established as one of the UK's leading Saxophonists. He is in demand from the biggest names on the British Popular music scene, as well as visiting artists from overseas. In recent years he has been extremely busy and in the public eye. As resident saxophonist on "Tonight With Jonathon Ross" he played with the likes of, James Brown, Smokey Robinson, Chaka Khan and many more. He has been seen regularly on TV with the Eurythmics, M-People and B*Witched and presented a Saxophone "Masterclass" programme for ITV. He played all featured Saxophone and Flute parts - on record and tour - for Lisa Stansfield and M-People.
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Luther Grosvenor / Ariel Bender Band
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Luther Grosvenor (aka Ariel Bender) is one of the most inventive guitarists of his generation. "Floodgates" confirms his place right up there with Jeff Beck, Jimmy Page, Brian May and Mick Ronson.
His latest project is Ariel Benders Mott The Hoople. Performing all the classic Hoople favourites including Roll Away The Stone, All The Young Dudes, All The Way From Memphis, Golden Age of Rock & Roll, Foxy Foxy etc. Also included in the set will be all the Spookey Tooth favourites and classics from Widowmaker.
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Carvin Jones was born in Lufkin, Texas in June, 1966. At a very young age, he was seduced to the blues by listening to BB King records his grandfather constantly played in the house. At age 11, Carvin remembers "my grandmother bought me my first guitar because I would borrow other people´s and when they came back to get them, I´d bum out. She took me downtown and bought me a guitar. I´ll never forget that day." Carvin recalls "my part of town was a rough neighborhood with a capital ´R´. I saw people litterally get killed - shot, stabbed, whatever. The guitar kept me out of trouble because I was always
inside playing the guitar away from that."
For a few years after high school, Carvin was performing small gigs around Texas. He decided to move to Arizona for a change of pace. In 1989, he moved in with his aunt and uncle, The Rev. Henry Adams and his wife Mattie, in their home in south Phoenix. "They took me in and I owe all my success to them. If it
weren´t for them, there wouldn´t be any Carvin Jones" he says.
Working various jobs around Phoenix, Carvin had an epiphany on June 22, 1990 - the day, longtime residents will recall, the thermometer hit 122 degrees. "I was doing construction - not a tree in sight, no shade, guys were getting taken away in ambulances. I said to myself 'there´s no way I´m going to keep doing this. I`m going to bust my butt to play music so I never have to do this again'."
Thus, the first incarnation of the "Carvin Jones Band" was formed, and he began taking gigs anywhere they could get bookings. "We´d go in and play for hamburgers and soda pop" Carvin laughs.
By March, 1991, the Band had gained tremendous popularity, and were playing at clubs all over the Valley. They have maintained a consistent seven nights-a-week performance schedule since then. In March 2000, Carvin celebrated his 3000th performance!
Over the past 10 years, the Carvin Jones Band has opened for guitar legends BB King, Santana and Albert King, and has performed with Joe Cocker and the Fabulous Thunderbird's at the House of Blues 1996 Tour in Phoenix. The Band opened for REO Speedwagon in 1998 at New Year's Eve, and has been a feature band of FIesta Bowl's New Year's Eve Block Parties for the past two years.
The Carvin Jones Music Show, a 1/2 hour cable TV show promo, included interviews with Carvin, performance clips, local gig calendar, and website plug. The Show aired during February-March, 2000, once a week, on various local Arizona cable channels. The Band has also been featured on Arizona Channel 3's morning program for their local band spotlight.
Awards/Recognition Carvin has received numerous awards and recognition. In Arizona, he was awarded New Times' "Entertainer of the Year" award in 1997, "Best Guitarist" in 1998 by Get Out Magazine, and Char's Has the Blues named him "Best Guitarist of the Year" for three years in a row. The Band received the Arizona Entertainment Award for "Best Blues Band of the Year" in 1993, and was voted "Best Blues Band" from 1994 through 1996 by the New Times' Reader's poll.
Carvin was featured in Experience Hendrix Magazine, in its November/December, 1999 issue. Read the full article here..
Guitarist Magazine voted Carvin into "The 50 greatest blues guitarists who ever walked the earth!" in January 2001.
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Roadhouse was formed in 1991 by Gary Boner, ably assisted throughout by the driving bass of Bill Hobley and the the powerful drumming of Roger Hunt. Seizing on an eclectic mix of influences from Lynyrd Skynyrd to Creedence Clearwater Revival, the band has developed a sound all of its own. In the words of a recent Blues Matters review: "They veer towards the rocky side of the Blues, but are clearly Blues based and play in a punchy style with musicianship of the highest quality".
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Guitar maker Brian Eastwood has gained a reputation for making some of the finest handcrafted guitars. Since the age of eleven Brian has developed a schoolboy hobby into a thriving business and on the way made some of the most famous one-off guitars used by musicians around the world.
"As a boy I used toy railway lines to make the frets and made the body out of bits of plywood and, believe it or not, it sounded all right."
After leaving Rochdale Art College, Brian studied ceramics in Cardiff before returning and setting up his guitar making business.
"I started to repair guitars as well as making them and I soon found a huge market for it."
Since those early days his reputation has steadily grown and one of Brian's specialities, the Bender Distortorcaster (on display), has been used by the likes of Hank Marvin, Motorhead and ZZ top.
One of the most recognisable guitars Brian has ever made is the Blue Moon guitar (on display), built for the 70's group Showaddywaddy, and seen by millions on Top of the pops. The other guitar on display was made for the local band Tractor (they can be seen playing it in the footage on the screen to your right). Brian still lives in the area and his guitars are in demand throughout the world. He has also played in several bands in the area including Straw Dogs, Three's a Crowd and Trigger. His latest three-piece is called Pie.
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STRAY made their mark in the late 60s by owning lighting rigs, pyrotechnics and transport in a time when most bands were content to just get up onstage and play. STRAY dated back to 1966 when teenagers vocalist Steve Gadd, guitarist Del Bromham, bass player Gary Giles and drummer Steve Crutchley formed the band whilst all were attending the local Christopher Wren School in London. At this point the average age of STRAY members was 14. Steve Crutchley quit to pursue traditional Jazz and was duly replaced by Richie Cole as STRAY became regulars on the London club circuit, performing at such venues as Shepherds Bush Goldhawk Club and Covent Garden's Middle Earth.
In May 1969 STRAY supported THE GROUNDHOGS at Southall Farx Club and signed to Transatlantic Records in January 1970.
STRAY appeared at their first Reading Festival in 1971, alongside such acts as RORY GALLAGHER, MEDICINE HEAD and VAN DER GRAAF GENERATOR. Later that year the group also made their debut TV appearance on the show 'Disco 2', although a gig the same year at the Weeley Festival found STRAY in bother with the coastguard when stage flares were mistaken for a distress call by the local lifeboat!
STRAY's first British headline tour in the winter of 1971 had RED DIRT and STEVE TILSTON supporting. The band the band would also tour Europe as support to TEN YEARS AFTER. They would promptly return to the UK for more support shows to the likes of STATUS QUO before touring nationwide with THE GROUNDHOGS. At this point STRAY took on the services of manager Wilf Pine.
Securing another Reading Festival slot in 1972 - appearing with STATUS QUO, TEN YEARS AFTER and WIZZARD - STRAY supported THE GROUNDHOGS once more in August 1973, experimenting with additional live musicians; including keyboard player Andy Powell, backing vocalists and brass section. STRAY also opened for BLACK SABBATH at Alexandra Palace in the same month.
STRAY's line up remained stable until 1974 when an additional guitarist, Pete Dyer, was recruited. Gadd departed during the recording of 'Stand Up And Be Counted', leaving Bromham and Dyer to share lead vocal duties. The band undertook their first American dates in July 1975, performing with SPIRIT and CANNED HEAT and then found themselves as support in 1976 to the debut British tour by KISS.
The band gained another prestigious support for Canadians RUSH on their first British venture and, for a bit of added publicity STRAY found themselves for a short while being managed by Charlie Kray, the brother of the infamous Kray twins. Unfortunately, despite progress being made with live shows and recording STRAY split in December 1977 dogged by management and financial pressures.
Del Bromham would be the first to kick start his career as he signed a solo deal with Gull Records, releasing the single 'Who Do You Love' in 1978. He toured the clubs billed as THE DEL BROMHAM BAND.
At the turn of the decade STRAY were reformed by Dyer, Cole and Giles with new guitarists in Don Hollis and Tony Pow. The new incarnation of the band supported SAGA on the Canadian group's 1981 British tour. however, this line up soon disintegrated - with Pow and Hollis departing in favour of a returning Bromham.
With Del Bromham back in the band STRAY opened for BARON ROJO in Spain during 1982 and Gadd returned for the 1984 reformation that completed a line up including Giles, Cole, Bromham and vocalist Peter Dyer.
In 1987 Bromham was mooted to have been joining NIGHTWING. This liaison in fact led to the formation of RAZORBACK with ex STRIFE and NIGHTWING bassist Gordan Rowley and former NIGHTWING drummer Steve Bartley. Ill health on the part of Rowley forestalled progress however and an album fully recorded was shelved. Bromham later worked with THE KILLER B'S although STRAY reformed again with Bromham, Gadd, Giles and Cole in 1993 for a series of live shows.
In mid 1995 STRAY reformed for a London club show and a live album, released in 1996, was recorded at Dudley's Robin Hood R&B club. The record found STRAY comprised of Del Bromham, bassist Dusty Miller and drummer Phil McKee. STRAY were still a going concern in 1997, recording an album titled 'New Dawn' and touring through Britain during the winter.
The 2001 Receiver release 'Dangerous Games' would herald in 35 years as a recording entity. The album, which received commendable reviews, compiled recent live outings from shows in Dudley during 1996 with studio cuts dating to 1997.
It's worth noting that no less an act than IRON MAIDEN covered the STRAY track 'All In Your Mind' as the B side to the 'Holy Smoke' single. STRAY would be announced as the special guests to veteran Rockers MOUNTAIN on their Spring 2002 UK tour.
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Founded in 2002, GILES are making a big impression on the live music scene, both in the UK and abroad.
To date, they have released 3 albums that have had excellent reviews worldwide and is being played by over 70 radio stations in many countries.
Their mission: put blues back on the map!
Founder and frontman Mark Koehorst is the driving force behind GILES. He is originally from Holland and writes all the original material for the band. In England, he fronted excellent bands such as Glass and Sattva. In total, he has released 7 albums and was signed to various labels. His songs are original and sensitive. His search for simplicity and truth finally brought him back to the blues, his first love. His charismatic stage presence and effortless yet powerful vocal and guitar style leave a lasting impression with live audiences
"What an exceptional outfit"
Blues Matters!
"Excellent. a splendid live performance."
Blues In Britain
"Entertains & sticks to the ears with an original sound like none other you'll ever hear. A + 5 *****'s"
Eddie Russell of Rainbow Smoke Network (US)
"Outstanding musicianship, excellent original songs,
and a fresh approach to the blues make GILES a must-see band.
Don't miss them!"
Boogaloo Promotions
"Funky as hell"
Red Lick Records
"'Blue Funk' is an outrageously cool, sensual piece of 2005 blues with a difference"
Toxic Pete
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Taste - Rory Gallaghers original Band
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Before becoming a solo star, Rory Gallagher fronted the blues-rock trio Taste, which experienced reasonable success in the U.K. in the late '60s and early '70s. Taste was molded very much on the model of Cream, adding some folk, pop, and jazz elements to a blues-rock base, and featuring a virtuosic guitarist.
The focus of Taste was always upon Gallagher. In addition to playing accomplished and versatile lead guitar, he sang in a gentle but convincing fashion, and wrote the band's original material. Much of Taste's repertoire was more restrained and balanced than the territory Gallagher would explore on his '70s outings, which placed more emphasis upon him as guitar hero. Gallagher also played occasional saxophone and harmonica with the group.
Gallagher formed Taste in his native Ireland in 1966. In May of 1968, he relocated to London and, still months shy of his 20th birthday, formed a new version of Taste with bassist Charlie McCracken (who had played bass with Spencer Davis, though not at the peak of Davis' hit-making days) and drummer John Wilson (who had been a drummer with Them, likewise not during one of their well-known incarnations). Two studio albums followed in 1969 and 1970, the second of which made the British Top 20.
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The Inmates were formed in North London in 1977 and soon established themselves as one of the capital's most popular live groups. Their influences included The Animals, The Pretty Things and The Rolling Stones. They arrived at the tail end of the pub-rock movement, but still managed to find success with their mix of originals and covers of classic R&B and Rock & Roll tunes. Of the latter, a version of the Standells' "Dirty Water," included on the band's 1979 debut First Offence, became a hit on both sides of the Atlantic. Capitalising on chart success throughout Europe & North America, the early Eighties saw the band confirm their international status.
Bill Hurley left The Inmates in 1983 through illness and was replaced by long-time friend Barrie Masters from Eddie And The Hot Rods. In 1985 Barrie departed to reform the Hot Rods and Bill Hurley, fresh from the success of his solo album " Double Agent ", returned to his old position, centre stage. In 1987, the leading French newspaper Liberation decided to organise a special concert in Paris as part of the Sgt Pepper 20th anniversary and set their choice on The Inmates as the band who would perform an entire concert of Beatles songs. The resulting live album rapidly acquired a cult status throughout Europe.
"Fast Forward" followed in 1989 and was the last album to be produced by top English producer Vic Maile (Motorhead, Dr Feelgood, Led Zeppelin, Fleetwood Mac, Hawkwind, Girlschool, The Dogs, The Vibrators.) who played a significant part to the distinctive sound of The Inmates through the years. The album also features Dr Feelgood's guitarist Gypie Mayo on Robert Cray's "Bad Influence".
"Fast Forward" contains such stage classics as "Caroline", "Move On" and "Dangerous Love", with most tracks written by lead guitarist Peter Gunn and a few well-chosen covers for good measure. Despite their capability to write excellent original material, The Inmates have never been afraid to experiment with cover versions and make them sound as their own songs. "Sweet Nuthin's" and "Goodbye So Long" are shining examples of the band's ability to pick songs and make them into energy-fuelled R&B while still paying respect to the original. The remastered version features three previously unreleased live tracks, including a marathon version of their classic "(I Thought I Heard A) Heartbeat", a reminder of the band 's infectious garage rock and soul energy on stage.
Thanks to Bill Hurley's fine vocals ("The best British singer" - Robert Plant) and Peter Staines blistering guitar work, The Inmates often excel other bands who play "traditional" Rock & Roll, simply because the band is able to give their songs and live act that extra something. The rhythm section of Ben Donnelly and Eddie (also from The Vibrators) together with Tony Oliver's killer rhythm guitar provide an unmistakable punky R&B drive.
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~ house of the rising sun ~ |
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