Back Porch Band, Blue Touch, Buddy's Blues Band, C Sharp Blues, Coalhouse Walker Blues Band, Confused Blues, Dave Raphael Band, Fabulous Fezheads, Hugh Budden, Jack Blackman, JC & Angelina Grimshaw, John Crampton, Johnny Sharp, Jon Walsh Blues Band, Kevin Brown, Martin Froud, Motel 6, Pete Harris, Robin Bibi Band, Saiichi Sugiyama Band, Steve Darrington, The Jawbreakers, The Jives, The Mustangs, The Rhythm 'n' Blues Brothers, The Riotous Brothers, The Riverside Blues Band, Will Killeen,
Back Porch Band
Dates Playing:
Website: www.myspace.com/backporchbanduk
The Back Porch Band’s unique variety of foot-stomping acoustic-ish good time blues with a dash of skiffle and a smidgeon of rockabilly has seen them build a strong following over the past few years. Their music regularly features on local radio and they are well-known in the thriving East Anglian live music scene.
The unusual line up features the strong, melodic vocals of Mike Rushmore, (with his right foot on bass drum anchoring the band), world class lead guitarist Jonny Miller, the extraordinarily powerful mouth harp of Steve Graham, with 12-string Tony and the incredible Washboard Dik providing the rhythm.
Blue Touch
Dates Playing:
Website: www.myspace.com/bluetouchinfo
Blue Touch play Blues Rock with an edge and have been in existence in a number of guises for more than 5 years but the current line up is without doubt the one that brings together all the elements needed to ensure they maintain their reputation as being one of the top live acts on the blues circuit.
Some 4 years ago the captivating Andrea Maria signed up for vocal duties and has been described in a Blues Matters magazine review as making Madonna look like a virgin. Andrea has been singing and performing for many years and brings a stunning stage presence to the band.The rock powerhouse that is Hugh Lawrenson on drums was added in 2003 and has helped to strengthen the feel of the band and firmly mark Blue Touch out as a powerful blues/rock outfit. The band plays a range of blues and rock arranged to provide different interpretations and a dynamic stage show featuring the vocal and guitar talents of Neil Sadler and Alan Cleaves. Alan has been playing for longer than he cares to remember but his fingers still fly across the fretboard and produce some breathtaking moments in the bands output. Neil joined Blue Touch in the summer of 2004 and has a firm belief in the use of valves to help create the right sound Supporting Hugh in the rhythm section is Merv Griffin on bass who seems to have the wrong number of strings on one guitar and lost the body of another but yet still seems to make the right sort of noise!
The band has played at many festivals, blues clubs and other events, and gained great reviews for their debut CD released in 2003. In 2004 they travelled north for a repeat appearance at the Colne Blues Festival in August and the Nidd Hall (Harrogate) Blues Festival in September, before taking a short break while Andrea gave birth to the lovely Anna. September2005 saw the release of their second CD Bump, which builds on the foundations laid on Grind theres no doubting its blues, but its not going to make you blue!
Buddy's Blues Band
Dates Playing:
Website: www.dolfinmusic.com/hughsblues.htm
Buddy’s Blues Band…Putting the Soul back into the Blues!
BBB is Hugh’s latest musical project joining him at the sharp end on Guitar and Vocals is the supremely talented Steve Brookes.
Couple this with one of the hottest rhythm sections on the South Coast, Neil Hibberd (turned pro in his teens and recorded at Abbey Road Studios) on Bass and Steve Faithfull (also pro from a teenager and the veteran of many world tours) on Drums and you have a band that will put the Soul back into the Blues and a smile back on your face!!
C Sharp Blues
Dates Playing:
Website: www.chrislonergan.co.uk/
C Sharp Blues is comprised of four like-minded souls dedicated to the art of the blues, but with a funky/rock retake on the genre. Seminal material from Robert Johnson, Muddy Waters, Albert King, B B King, T-Bone Walker et al is mixed with coruscatingly-compelling original material.
Mike Biggs (guitar, vocals) has been in the forefront of the UK’s remarkably healthy blues/r&b scene for a couple of decades now. His powerful vocals and earthy guitar work has been the signature of bands such as C Sharp, Red Rooster, Time Out and many more.
Smudge Smith (guitar, piano) is blessed with a ferocious blues guitar sound and a remarkable skill as a boogie piano player. He was a mainstay of the Ben Waters Band for many years, when a major feature of the band’s live shows was his four-hand piano duets with Ben, the acknowledged master of boogie-woogie in the UK.
Chris Lonergan (bass) played alongside Ben Waters and Smudge for many years as the band toured the UK, Europe, Scandinavia, Canada and Africa, playing at major gigs (Ronnie Scott’s, 100 Club, Royal Festival Hall, Albert Hall etc) and festivals (Glastonbury, Cork Jazz Festival and many more). He’s also been seen onstage alongside the likes of David Gilmour, Gary Brooker, John Etheridge, Mick Taylor, Andy Sheppard and the like.
Paul Fancy (drums, percussion) first came to prominence with John Peel favourites The Martian Schoolgirls in the 1980’s and has been touring constantly since, from English stately homes to the Victoria Falls in Zambia. Paul’s funk-orientated approach to the blues is a major factor in C Sharp’s unique sound.
You will witness a take on the blues that has its soul in the Mississippi Delta, while its sound is firmly planted in the 21st Century
Coalhouse Walker Blues Band
Dates Playing:
Website: www.myspace.com/coalhousewalker
Raw and Live and that's how we like it! The Coalhouse Walker Blues Band recreates the distinctive Chicago blues of the 1940s to 1970s, topped with foot-stomping Boogie Woogie piano.
This four-piece band comprises of Harmonica, Piano, Guitar and Drums, providing a distinctive sound as the energy releases and the blues rhythms capture the audience.
Stuart Webb (vocals, harmonica) played with Big Moose Walker and Luther 'Guitar Junior' Johnson before forming his own band Mississippi Rhythm Method and playing regularly at London's Station Tavern. Now with the reformed Coalhouse fronting out the band with powerful soul and love for the blues.
Richie Biggs (piano) is foremost a Boogie Woogie pianist of 20 years experience and incorporates blues in his style beautifully. His solid and consistent boogie bass lines replace upright or electric bass and give Coalhouse their distinctive sound.
Mick Simmons (drums) not only provides the powerhouse for the band but generates huge enthusiasm too!
With 20 years of experience and regulars at the famous Ain't Nothin' But... blues bar in Soho, London you can expect an awesome experience.
Confused Blues
Dates Playing:
Dave Raphael Band
Dates Playing:
Website: www.davidraphael.co.uk
Billed in some places as the Electric Rhythm Riders
Fabulous Fezheads
Dates Playing:
Website: www.fezheads.com
The Fabulous Fezheads are England's Premier Sand Dance Vaudevillian Illusionists carrying on in the tradition of Old 'Blind Ned' Cleggett with his famous stage act of the 1920's and 30's, and actually starring his Great-Grandson Pete 'the Flying' Cleggett .
Under the watchful eye of Father Ken and featuring Keith the Camel, the Fabulous Fezheads blend a mixture of Dance, Danger and Music that will Astound, Astonish and Amuse
Jack Blackman
Dates Playing:
Website: www.myspace.com/jackblackmantheguitarist
Jack Blackman’s live musical career began following an appearance with Paul Jones and the Blues Band. Since then he has performed regularly at venues and festivals across the Midlands including the Robin 2, Cox’s Yard, Taylor Johns House, the Yardbird, Upton Blues Festival, as well as national festivals including the Acoustic Festival of Britain and Guilfest.
Jack performs solo, utilising finger style acoustic guitar and vocals. His repertoire ranges from traditional blues and folk as well as his own unique compositions.
Jack’s influences extend from the early country blues performers of the 1920s and ‘30s, through the “folk baroque” of Bert Jansch, John Renbourn and Nic Jones to more contemporary artists such as Kelly Joe Phelps and Martin Simpson.
In the summer of 2009, Jack travelled to the Mississippi Delta and played a series of gigs in the Hopson Commissary in Clarksdale. He also appeared on the legendary King Biscuit Radio Hour on KFFA in Helena, Arkansas with longstanding host “Sunshine” Sonny Payne.
In the autumn of 2009 Jack was also a semi-finalist in the BBC Radio 2 Young Folk/ Roots artist of the year. (Other awards in 2009 were an EMI Music Sound Foundation Award, and MBF Young Talent Award.)
2010 will see the release of Jack’s debut EP as well as appearances at festivals including the Upton Blues Festival, Tewksbury Blues Festival and Mayfest and support slots with Coco Montoya and the Phil Beer Band.
JC & Angelina Grimshaw
Dates Playing:
Website: www.freewebs.com/villagebikerecords/vbhome.html
JC and his sister Angelina have worked together professionally for ten years performing locally and internationally. They work as a duo, independantly and as part of their five piece band The Dance Preachers.
They began performing in folk clubs in their early teens and have developed their sound throughout their twenties drawing inspiration from acoustic roots, jazz, folk and blues.
JC and Angelina have travelled extensively playing at festivals and clubs as far afield as Russia, Japan and the USA, working with and supporting numerous high profile acts including: Waterson/Carthy, Pentangle, Dr John, Buddy Guy and Van Morrison. JC recently completed a two year world tour with Midge Ure.
Over the last five years JC and Angelina have concentrated on recording original material and to date four CD albums are available - see CD Releases page.
These albums have recently enjoyed exposure on various European radio station, on the main stage at Cambridge Folk Festival and on BBC Radio 3's 'Late Junction'.
John Crampton
Dates Playing: Friday, Saturday
Website: www.crampton62.freeserve.co.uk/
Wow! A one-man blues explosion with a big, powerful sound of hard-hitting and danceable up-tempo blues. John plays slide or bottleneck style on a 1930s National Steel Guitar with fantastic harmonica and thumping stomp box to provide a driving rhythm. If you like John's influences - Howlin' Wolf, Bukka White, John Lee Hooker and Ry Cooder - you'll really enjoy John!
He has recently played in Florida, Greece, Ireland, Norway, Germany, Switzerland, Canada, Czech Republic, Poland, France and Slovakia, and is booked for a tour of Tasmania, New Zealand and Australia.
"Stomping and unstoppable ... like a runaway train ... an act well worth watching " Blues in Britain
"You can practically fry eggs on the man as he radiates energy into the room. His gravel-gargling voice is a perfect compliment to his 1930's National steel guitar, harmonica and footboard. The sound he produces has astonishing depth" Bill Grainger, Beaford Arts
"Crampton plays heavy blues in a kind of Tom Waits/ John Hammond vibe ... a wonderful singer and guitarist ... really cooking!" Michael Messer
"One of the UK's top acoustic slide and steel guitarists" Hookers Blues Club
"Stunning blues voice ... he blew me away!" Blues in Britain
"Crampton creates a big and powerful sound which gets your feet tapping, your body dancing and your heart singing ... everyone was blown away" Ashwyn Smyth, Digital Blues
"John's incredible, he takes to the stage with nothing more than a National Steel guitar, a harp and miked up stomp box and then lets rip." The Spitz, London
Johnny Sharp
Dates Playing: Friday, Saturday, Sunday
Website: www.myspace.com/johnnyguitarsharp
After being musically influenced heavily at an early age, I took up learning the guitar when I was about eight years old on an old Hofner V3 after seeing an early performance of Buddy Holly & The Crickets on TV. My dad was a regular at folk clubs in the early 70's and, mother being a keen pianist, I had music going on all around me near enough all the time. After many years of endless practising and listening to my dad's old 45's and LP's from the 50's and 60's from The Beatles to The Kinks, I formed my first school band called 'The Deadbeats' and started to write and compose my own songs when I was 14 years old.
Throughout the 1990's i played guitar in many different bands including Retrovibe, The Billy Austin band, The Cosmic Jug, Maelstrom, Chris Starling, and On The Beach. After I left college in 1998 with a Diploma in Performing Arts, I went on to attend The London Music School in 1999 forming Indie rock power-trio 'Denim'. We gained national recongition and I also played session guitar with many band's through getting work at a local recording studio as well as busking in and around London and trying to make a name for myself as a solo artist regularly attending folk and blues clubs, the 100 club, 12 bar club etc, sitting in with bands and playing where and when I could.After graduating from music school and still living in a grotty little flat in East End London, I decided to go solo after personal differences and clashes within the band forced us to split up and I released two self penned acoustic albums titled 'Beyond the valley of green' & 'Field & fireside'. Still active sessioning with different bands & still working 24/7 on the circuit I started gaining a good reputation as a folk/blues guitarist.
I moved to Bath in 2001 to attend university, where I studied, worked & recorded with producer Paul Corkett (Radiohead/Portishead/Jet) on several occasions and was a talent scout for an independant record label, on the lookout for new up and coming talent. Still active being a session guy in various indie bands, I teamed up with rock band 'Countermine'. During my time with 'Countermine' we toured and played support slots for 'Simple Mminds' and 'Blondie' and played the Isle of Wight Festival in 2004, meeting acts such as David Bowie, The Charlatans, The Delays, The Libertines, Snow Patrol, The Who, Manic Street Preachers, British Sea Power, Stereophonics and Jet - which was a great and memorable time.
After i graduated in 2005, I decided to move back to my scenic coastal homeland of North Devon and I formed bluesrock band 'The Spoonful'. We played the local circuit and national music festivals, toured for three years and released two studio albums. Since departing from 'The Spoonful' in December 2008 to concentrate more on my songwriting, I formed raw blues duo 'The Black Aces' and we play at local festivals and gigs. I recently teamed up with local fellow musician and songwriter Phil Lively-Masters and formed a great new project called 'Maple Canyon', which is folk rock, country & Americana-sounding with Phil on acoustic guitar and vocals and myself playing lead guitar. We are constantly writing new songs and playing at as many open mic nights as we can and hope to be playing festivals and onto bigger things soon.
www.myspace.com/maplecanyon www.myspace.com/johnnyguitarsharp
Kevin Brown
Dates Playing:
Website: www.mykevinbrown.com
Last year we had the pleasure of being introduced to great British slide player, writer and singer, Kevin Brown. From the very beginning of his open mike slot the audience knew they were in for a treat and he duly delivered with his driving, poignant and often amusing songs alive with anecdotes and humour.
Kevin wraps his rich vein of material around some delicate yet punchy slide playing that really reflects the many years he has spent as a full time musician. Kevin learnt a lot both from his brief time he spent with Son House, and the time he spent in Texas during the early 80’s.
Hailed by Mark Knopfler, Albert King, Wiz Jones and many more, Kevin is a great favourite amongst fans and musicians alike. Presently signed to Doodah Records his impending album will feature much of his material aired at Swanage, this is very likely to include the sound of his new love, the lap steel.
He will be appearing with his hot new trio creating a wonderful drone blues style gleaned from his love of the Delta Hill country styles that form a driving backdrop to his current material. This is Kevin’s last appearance before returning to Texas where he has been invited to perform both at the Dallas steel guitar show and swxsw event in Austin.
Dave Hatfield, Bass. From Flaco Jiminez, Jerry Douglas, DizWatson and much between Dave Hatfield is the acoustic bass man very much in demand, a great lover of all things roots, he is the perfect provider of that meaty bottom end so characteristic in Kevins work.
Robin Tothill, Drums. Robin and Dave go together hand in glove, never obtrusive and always in total support of the song. Robin has played drums all his life ever since his parents replaced knitting needles with real drumsticks, which he apparently also used to help him learn to walk.
If you like your blues delivered in a subtle but powerful manner, enjoy great slide work and appreciate a good groove then the Kevin Brown trio should more than fit the bill.
Follow Kevin and his progress here www.mykevinbrown.com www.myspace.com/mykevinbrown
Martin Froud
Dates Playing: Friday, Saturday, Sunday
Martin does a wonderful job leading the Open Mic sessions all weekend. He's also a top slide-player!
Motel 6
Dates Playing: Friday
Website: profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendID=118149470
Dan Anderson - Guitar/Vocals. Dan has been on the music scene since the age of fourteen, playing in various bards such as Pack M Up, Triple Rock and Custers Last Blues Band. He has also played many festivals and is also highly regarded on the dep. scene.
He has also played with some of the top players in the country such as Paddy Milner, Ben Waters, Collin John (USA) and Robbie McIntosh, to name but a few.
On a small tour of the club scene in Austin Texas he cut teeth with some of the top local players, he then moved on to Chicago and met up with the legendary Buddy Guy. Dan's main concern now is the playing and the promotion of Motel 6.
Chris Page - Drums/Vocals. Chris has been a professional drummer since leaving school, playing in bands and freelancing for numerous acts of diverse styles (Psychedelic-punk to shows and cabaret). He has played all over the world with some of the finest musicians and professional acts in the business. Chris has vast experience in both studio and live recordings and can list many live albums and radio sessions, along with several TV appearances.
He has toured the USA, Middle East and Scandinavia several times over and has had many European engagements, including Spain, Germany, Holland, Belgium, France, Italy and Ireland. Chris has also played in many of the most prestigious and famous venues including 'The Whisky A Go-Go' (LA), CB-GBS, The Cat Club, Limelight (New York), The Good Morning Club (Paris), 100 Club, The Marquee, etc.
Festivals include Cork Jazz and Blues Festival, Wembley Country Festival, Glastonbury, The More Blues Festival. Acts include Max D Barnes (7 US country no. 1's), Albert Lee - Tammy Jones (UK no. 1), Ricky Valance - Steve Simpson (Meal Ticket), Bernard Manning, Roy Chubby Brown, Rocket 88, Diz Watson, Robbie McIntosh (P. McCartney, Pretenders), Big Bill Morganfield (Muddy Waters' son) Eddie Kirkland (John Lee Hooker), Phil Guy (USA), Jack Johnson & The Oilers (USA), Colin John Band (USA), Ben Waters, Paul Howard and Tender Trap, Orange, The Little Angels and Kevin McDermott.
Laurie Higgins - Bass. Laurie has been playing bass for 15 years, having studied jazz under such luminaries as Steve Berry (Loose Tubes) and Nikki Iles.
He plays in a variety of bands in many musical styles, including Lightning Head (a samba/ reggae band that has just finished rocking top London venues like Cargo and The Vibe Bar). A versatile musician, Laurie is equally at home alongside top jazzmen like Tony Roberts as well as blues men like Big Bill Morganfield, Paddy Milner and Colin John.
Laurie has performed at many top UK festivals including Glastonbury and The Big Chill, as well as occasional tours of Europe including France, Portugal and Italy. His first love will always be jazz and blues, and Motel 6 is one of the most electrifying bands he has been involved in for sheer musical excitement.
Tom Hughes - Hammond B3. Tom Hughes has been playing for 23 years and his main instrument is the Hammond organ. He also plays accordion, guitar and sings.
Tom is a member of originals band, The Lucky Bishops who started in 1994 and who have had 2 self produced albums released and are completing a 3rd. They play their own unique brand of short psych pop songs with vocal harmonies. The band have played many gigs and festivals notably several Terrastock festivals in London and Boston as well as the SXSW festival in Austin, TX, gigs in New York -CBGBs and The Knitting Factory, plus a short tour of Germany and a recent appearance at the Felipop festival in Spain.
Tom is also a member of Dorset group, Gothic Chicken - "Hot psychedelia played by cold professionals." They play lots of obscure and not so obscure songs by the likes of The Association, Blossom Toes, Soft Machine, The Zombies etc.
Tom does lots of gigs with local group, The Sidekicks, a popular covers band who can be found jamming songs they've not necessarily played before in many local pubs.
In 2003, Tom toured Spain with Phil Guy (blues legend Buddy's brother) and fellow band mate, Chris Page and guitarist, Colin John.
In 2004 Tom joined progressive rock group, Nektar, touring all over America. He recently played with them in Germany and appeared on German TV show, Rockpalast. (!!!!)
In his spare time, Tom records other local bands as well as his own
Grant Day – Guitar. Grant has been playing guitar for almost 28 years and studied and acquired a diploma in jazz. Grant has been a guitar tutor for many years, teaching all styles to adults and children around his home county of Dorset, The Strat wielder has trodden the boards all around the UK with bands such as Contraband and Flared Up, and sessioned for many songwriters and artists who require his services. Grant depped for the awesome Glen Smith with Motel 6 and is now a very happy, fully fledged member of the band following Glen's departure.
"Filling Glen's shoes has been an enormous task but I hope I can contribute a different edge to the band's sound," he said. After being offered a tour of the States with his band Bottle Up And Go in 1987 (declined due to family commitments), Grant decided to hone his style with a huge array of local bands and artists in Weymouth, Dorset, and shared the stage with many successful musicians including Robbie Macintosh, Chris Lonergan and Ade Millward. Grant's first love is the blues and admits to being "ecstatic" after being invited to join Motel 6.
Pete Harris
Dates Playing:
Website: www.peteharrisblues.com
Pete Harris has been active on the South Coast blues scene for nearly 30 years. With the Bob Pearce Blues Band he gigged extensively in the UK and Europe, recording a 'live' album on the prestigious Blue Horizon label. He has subsequently led various incarnations of the Pete Harris Blues Band, recognised as one of the leading blues bands on the South Coast. Pete has performed onstage with many American Blues artistes, notably Phil Guy (brother of Buddy Guy), Lowell Fulson, Tabby Thomas, Gene "Mighty Flea" Connors, Mojo Buford (ex Muddy Waters Band), Byther Smith, Carrie and Lurrie Bell, and Jerry McCain. He has appeared on BBC television, Southampton TV, Portsmouth TV and many times on local and national radio. He is also known on the Folk scene as musical partner of acclaimed singer/songwriter Mick Ryan.
Robin Bibi Band
Dates Playing: Friday, Saturday, Sunday
Website: www.robinbibiband.co.uk/
Robin Bibi is a charismatic and versatile performer who never fails to engage his audience. He has worked with Robert Plant, Jimmy Page, Ben E. King and many more.
Due to the band's growing reputation and a highly entertaining stage presentation, The Robin Bibi Band has become one of Britain’s busiest bands.
Blues, funk, soul, rock, reggae and jazz are all rolled together in their unique sound which can be heard on the album 'Blue Thrash Therapy'.
This is a mixture of the band's most requested songs from the live set and their own original songs. This album received excellent reviews and extensive airplay.
Robin Bibi is exuberant, passionate, dynamic, exciting and fun. His music is played straight from the heart and will move your head, your heart and of course your feet!
Saiichi Sugiyama Band
Dates Playing:
Website: www.myspace.com/saiichi
Saiichi has appeared with artists such as the Yardbirds, Stan Webb's Chicken Shack, and has collaborated with Zoot Money, Clem Clempson, Malcolm Bruce, Shana Morrison, Pete Brown as well as various former members of Bad Company, Graham Bond, John Mayall's Bluesbreakers and Rory Gallagher Band.
At the March Swanage Blues Festival, Saiichi will be joined by Rietta Austin, one of Australasia’s leading vocalists (“up there with the likes of Joss Stone and Anastacia"); drummer Wayne Proctor, ex-Aynsley Lister, Amor, Ian Parker Band; bassist Ben Reed, who also works with UK gospel giants Trace Campbell and Noel Robinson; and eminent keyboard player David ‘Munch’ Moore, whose credits include Dick Heckstall-Smith, Eric Bell, Keef Hartley, Pete Brown, Jon T-Bone Taylor, and Jeff Beck.
Saiichi’s ‘feel good’ band plays a groovy blend of original Soul, Funk, Motown and Gospel-infused numbers topped with his own killer Blues Guitar. Get ready for an up-lifting, emotional and danceable mix of cool covers and classy ’n’ catchy original songs with some great lyrics by Pete Brown, the Cream lyricist, all guaranteed to get your feet tapping and your soul burning.
Steve Darrington
Dates Playing:
Website: www.stevedarrington.com/
"Catch him if you can!" - Blues In Britain
Festival Organiser Steve Darrington was the house pianist and harmonica player at the legendary Blues Loft, Nags Head, High Wycombe in the 60s and 70s when it played host to many visiting American Bluesmen and rock bands. ("Too many to mention here!")
For over 40 years he has played piano with artists as diverse as Lonnie Donegan, Marty Wilde, Don Everly, Albert Lee, Brewers Droop, Roxon Roadshow, The Boogie Band, Arthur ‘Big Boy’ Crudup, The Mighty Flea, Billy Boy Arnold, and on over 50 albums.
Steve came to Swanage for two days in 2000, and never left! Nowadays he occasionally performs solo and sits in with different bands.
For further information, see www.stevedarrington.com
(and yes, the photo was taken recently!)
The Jives
Dates Playing:
Website: www.thejives.com/
“Classic material and excellent musicians, they start off with the energy most bands aspire to at the end!”
Brilliant guitar and harmonica duo featuring Jeff Chapman, ex-Wilko Johnson sideman and frontman for The Roosters, and Al E Bye from R&B band AM5.
Together they offer a compelling mix of R&B ranging from Little Walter's harp style to the more rocky side of Chuck Berry.
These good old Essex boys have established a brilliant reputation at festivals such as Banbury Blues Festival, the Great British Rhythm 'n Blues Festival, Monmouth Festival, Cromer Folk Festival, Broadstairs Folk Week, Upton-upon-Severn Blues Festival, Barnard Castle Festival, More Blues Festival (Belgium), and Boogaloo Blues Weekends.
“Classic material and excellent musicians, they start off with the energy most bands aspire to at the end!”
The Mustangs
Dates Playing: Saturday
Website: www.themustangs.co.uk/
THE MUSTANGS' unique brand of blues rock is cut from a different stone than other blues bands: combining the edge and tight punch of traditional r’n’b with a more melodic and lyrical slant, making the four-piece Hampshire based band sound like no other.
The Mustangs formed in 2001. Led by the stunning voice of charismatic singer/guitarist Adam Norsworthy, The Mustangs have forged a reputation as one of the best live bands in the country. The rhythm section of Jon Bartley (drums) and Ben McKeown (bass) is regarded as one of the tightest around. The line-up is completed by veteran Derek Kingaby on blues harp. The King Bee cut his teeth playing harp on the blues circuit in London in the late 60s, alongside rhythm and blues bands such as The Rolling Stones and The Yardbirds amongst many others.
The Mustangs first made an impact on the UK Blues scene by winning the Eel Pie Club's search for new talent in 2004. Since then they have headlined stages at high profile Blues festivals all over the UK including Colne, Hyde Park, Goodwood, Blues At The Fort, Swanage, Skegness, Farnham Maltings and Sinah Warren, amongst many others. They have recently returned from two triumphant shows at the famous Zinc Blues Festival in Paris.
The Band’s third album, Split Decision, was universally acclaimed as an essential blues rock album, and reached number 5 on the iTunes blues chart on release. The Band’s first two albums, Let It Roll and Rocking Horse, were released on their own label, Raging Horse. Both spent more than 2 years on the CD-Wow unsigned Top 10 chart and gained rave reviews in the blues press, with some writers hailing The Band as the country’s brightest new blues talent. Their last album Nothing Stays The Same was one of Blues in Britain magazine’s top 20 recommended albums of the year. Their fifth album, Cut Loose, will be released in November 2009 and looks set to underline the group’s reputation as the UK’s most exciting original blues rock band.
BLUESMATTERS label chief Alan ‘D’ Pearce said: “Entertainment, quality of musicianship and songwriting craft - The Mustangs are a band that can get a crowd up on their feet or enthrall a sitting audience and that is a great combination to have in your musical armoury”.
“Nothing Stays The Same is performed with skill, flair, and a true feeling for the music they so clearly love. This outfit has the potential to change how British blues is perceived and received” – Blues Matters Magazine
“In a genre so dominated by predictable cover bands, the Mustangs have broken free from the 12-bar rut to deliver an accessible all-original album of musical depth, where sheer balls is tempered by plenty of heart and soul” Record Collector review of Nothing Stays The Same
“Split Decision is a compulsory purchase for British Blues Rock fans” – Musician Magazine.
"Let It Roll perfectly showcases the Mustang’s ear for a good hook and blistering musicianship" Music Eye Magazine
"The Mustangs press all the right buttons…and have quality songs in abundance. Traditional hi-octane blues with a modern twist." Gigbase Magazine
"Those that like to dance will be well pleased with the Mustangs, those that like to sit and listen will enjoy, in fact this band have something for everyone no matter how you like your Blues. Glorious!" Blues Matters Magazine
"Performing a selection of blues tunes it’s easy to see why they were voted best band of the year in respected music magazine GigBase.Frontman Adam Norsworthy draws his charismatic voice from some dark corner of his soul, and presumably rips his dynamic guitar mayhem from the same scary place" Blue Matters Website
"The Mustangs stand out. It is obvious these guys have their own agenda" Surrey Comet
"Good music, a tight band, a real desire to please the audience and a fabulous frontman! There are very few frontmen around who can combine a great voice and guitar-playing with a high energy stage performance, natural charisma and good looks!" Monica Madgewick, Boogaloo Blues
"Ass-kicking" Blues Pilot Radio
"The tightest blues band in the UK" CD-Wow
"One of the most exciting blues bands in the UK today" AND Magazine
"The Mustangs are the top south coast blues band" Petersfield Post
"The Mustangs have a growing reputation – time to investigate" Blues In Britain Magazine
“If you want a band that gets people up and dancing, the Mustangs are it” – Blues in Britain Magazine
“Truly storming, ferocious…the very definition of blues rock” – Rock’n’Reel magazine
“Intelligent songwriting…accomplished and very entertaining” – Rock’n’Reel Magazine
The Rhythm 'n' Blues Brothers
Dates Playing:
Website: www.therhythmandbluesbrothers.co.uk/
The Rhythm and Blues Brothers are an eight-piece strong Blues Brothers Tribute Band with a ‘Blues Brothers’ theme. They delivera fast-paced, high octane performance of songs you know and love, songs only the most hardened soul fan may have heard and some special arrangements of songs previously unrelated to the Rhythm and Blues genre - all with a full horn section, keys, drums, bass, guitar, harmonica and vocals.
The Rhythm and Blues Brothers kick-start any party into life!
The Riotous Brothers
Dates Playing:
Website: www.riotousbrothers.co.uk
Welcome to the Riotous Brothers – driving powerhouse rhythm & blues.
We formed this band because there's a certain kind of music we were hearing in our heads - a set of ingredients for which we needed just the right band to cook up a storm.
A large helping of original material, influenced by a cup of Stevie Ray, a pinch of Little Walter and a spoonful of Zep all go in the pot and come out in a unique, fiery blend of electric rhythm & blues.
Four experienced musicians in the band they always wanted to play in, we’ve already shared bills with Jon Cleary, Sherman Robertson, Matt Schofield, Snowy White, Lightnin’ Willie & The Poorboys, Wilko, The Hoax and many others.
But don’t take our word for it, we’d rather play than talk about it so come and check us out and spread the word!
The Riverside Blues Band
Dates Playing:
Website: www.riversidebluesband.co.uk/
A talent so big they can hardly hardly fit it in their Mini Metro, Riverside Blues Band will bring their lively take on the Blues to Swanage for the first time this year (unless you were lucky enough to catch them at Robin Bibi's Electric Jam at the Festival in October).
Tight and hard-rocking - and that's just the Sax player's trousers - RBB play a mix of classics old and new, furious R'n'B of the old school, and just a hint of anchovy, with a devil may care aplomb and an almost total lack of mind altering substances.
Syd and Helen nail the beat with Paul and Dom weaving mysterious harmonies and melody, while Stan swears that no-one has ever built a bushel big enough to hide his light under.
Will Killeen
Dates Playing: Friday, Saturday
A dazzling player with a huge repertoire of songs, Will is a walking blues history manual, taking you on a journey from Robert Johnson and Elmore James through to an unlikely but brilliant version of "Duelling Banjos" - all on one acoustic guitar!
It may all have been said before about Will, and his fans will know what to expect, but for the uninitiated, you will be dazzled by a brilliant mix of Elmore James/Robert Johnson and Bob Dylan and more, by simply stunning guitarist.
Irish acoustic blues player with totally unique style. Celtic roots mixed with American blues. You can expect songs from early blues standards through to Dylan classics delivered with inimitable percussive guitar and whirling vocals. He's also considered to be one of the foremost slide guitar players in Europe today.
Will Killeen was born in Mayo, Ireland. He taught himself guitar from the age of 10 then, influenced by Howlin' Wolf, Doc Watson, The Pretty Things, Robert Johnson, Bob Dylan and the Rolling Stones to name a few. Soon he was performing around London and once replaced Rory Gallagher when Taste was formed. Will's unique-Blues guitar style shows influences from a mixture of Country, Celtic, Eastern and Rock music.
He plays regularly at countless venues and festivals around London and the rest of England, in Ireland, Wales, Scotland, Italy, Germany and the United States.
Wherever he plays, he amazes audiences with his own compositions and new arrangements of traditional songs.
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