In 1968 Chicken
Shack were a major signing to MIKE VERNON'S now
legendary BLUE HORIZON label. Led by the mercurial Stan
Webb on guitar and vocals, Chicken Shack were a band
brimming full of talent, far outweighing the bands,
groups and solo performers purveying the BLUES - a
musical tradition in many forms, taken from the 'Folk
Roots Of Black America'. Probably the bands most well
known member was CHRISTINE PERFECT (later McVie) who
went on at a later date to even greater fame and fortune
with FLEETWOOD MAC.
The late sixties
were a prolific time for Chicken Shack with their first
two albums "40 Blue Fingers Freshly Packed And Ready To
Go" and "O.K. Ken" storming into the U.K. top twenty,
whilst the singles "When The Train Comes Back" and
"Tears In The Wind" also scored heavily in the charts.
Stan's blistering guitar style
matched with a huge stage presence have made Chicken
Shack a firm favourite of rock and blues fans
everywhere.
Since those heady
days of the late sixties a further fifteen albums have
been released together with numerous compilations
proving that Stan, really is "The Man".
Throughout a
distinguished career Stan Webb has played and recorded
with the very best, including, STEVIE WONDER, HOWLING
WOLF, TAJ MAHAL, PETER GREEN and CANNED HEAT, whom he
joined on guitar for a U.K. tour following the departure
of the bands guitarist.
As the '60's have
given way to the '70's; '80's and '90's, Stan Webb and
Chicken Shack show no sign of slowing down, continually
touring the U.K. and Europe to packed houses and rave
reviews. In 1997 Stan received the BLUE HEART AWARD for
services to Blues in Germany, the previous recipient had
been BB KING, a glowing testament to Stan Webb and his
ongoing love of playing the blues.
Since that time
Stan Webb has continued to release quality CD’s (“Webb”
and “Still Live after All These Years” to name but two)
and a great DVD recorded livein the UK. His back
catalogue continues to pop up in the record store racks
as interest in Stan Webb and hi product show no sign of
abating.
Two thirty date
tours of the UK took place in 2004 and 2006 with John
Mayall, playing to sold out houses everywhere as people
flocked to see two giants of the blues scene ply their
immense craft on the same stage.
Though often named a modern blues band, The Brew have
evolved far beyond the restrictions of blues to become
one of Europe's most prominent rock bands. Hailing from
Grimsby (UK) the band draws inspiration from a wide
range of influences, from the experimental psychedelic
tunes of the '60s, to more contemporary artists on the
rock scene.
The band's extensive European tours have resulted in a
massive underground following, which is just beginning
to break into the mainstream as their fan-base rapidly
increases. Appearances across national television and
radio stations in Belgium, France, Germany, Poland,
Spain and the Netherlands have confirmed the band as one
of Britain’s better known musical exports.
Rainbreakers are a four piece rock outfit that create a
raw and hard-hitting sound. Influences can be heard from
a range of different styles that echo back to the
stylings of the late 60’s and 70’s, layering a
combination of rock, pop, blues and soul.
Holding on to tradition, but by no means purists,
Rainbreakers indicate a fascination with older artists
such as Free and Hendrix, yet the band draws significant
influence from the contemporary sounds of The Black
Keys, Gary Clark Jr and Monophonics. Since their
formation in 2012, Rainbreakers have played countless
amounts of shows at club venues and festival stages,
resulting in the development of their own sound that
truly represents themselves as well as the experiences
they share. The band’s impassioned and fervent live
performance has given leverage to acquire a strong and
honest following in their hometown and across the
country.
Alongside the release of their latest EP ‘Blood Not
Brass’, Rainbreakers are already set to perform with
Chantel McGregor and Laurence Jones on their 2015 UK
Tours as well festival bookings including Stourbridge
Blues Festival, Farmer Phils and many more.
Rebecca Downes is fast establishing
herself as one of the star attractions amongst the new
vanguard of blues performers in the UK, with her unique
and powerful voice, drawing influences ranging from
Blues and Soul to Jazz and Rock.
Rebecca’s voice and performances have
been, quite rightly, likened to such legendary artists
as the full on Tina Turner, the bluesy feel of Etta
James, and the raw power of Janis Joplin.
Her passion for music comes from a deep
belief in the power and authenticity of live music and a
love for what she does.
The five guys of Southbound finally came together as band over a
period of 2012/2013 after occasionally meeting up just a few
times a month for jamming sessions along with at the time,
various current and past members. Initially just playing
together for fun and enjoyment, then in its current form,
gelling as firm friends and realising a common bond and the love
of the Blues and Southern Rock, which was influenced by the
likes of Clapton, Hendrix, Peter Green, Allman Brothers, Muddy
Waters and alike.
2014 was a great first year for the band, keeping busy with
regular gigging in local pubs and clubs In and around the
Hertfordshire area, playing an interesting set of covers by the
afore mentioned artists, thankfully these gigs turned into
repeat gigs in many of the venues played, and they are
receiving some great feedback from owners, clients and musicians
alike who were not expecting the mature choice of material from
such young guys. A sound which seemed to appeal to the more
mature listener and a good healthy following started.
On the back of those gigs a couple of hugely enjoyable local
festivals came along and they gained confidence to slowly
introduce some of their own material into their sets, indeed
their first festival slot at the Rock at the Priory in the
summer of 2014 comprised purely of their own songs.
2014 finished on an exciting high with a visit to Catman Boogie
Studio record demo recordings of two of their songs, Lover Boy
Blues and Tell Me What a Man’s Gotta do, both of which excitedly
have recently received FM airplay and internet station plays
that have been played in the UK Europe the USA and further
afield.
2015 has started on an even more high far more in excess than
the guys could of hoped for, with gigs and festivals already
booked into the new year and summer, some support openings for
Larry Miller at Hertford Corn Exchange and The Skammers at the
Fiddlers Elbow, some fantastic London visits to some truly
iconic venues, The Troubadour in Earls Court, The Spice of Life
In Soho, The Fiddlers Elbow, The Garage, The George Tavern E1
and the famous 100 club later this year.
Excitingly, they have been already invited back to Headline gigs
at the Troubadour and Spice of Life this year and hope that
this feedback continues from venues, and that they continue to
entertain and grow the Southbound name- they also continue to
add strong enjoyable solid songs to their repertoire.
Mick Simpson is the unsung hero of UK
Blues. Initially coming to public notice when playing
with Elkie Brooks in the 1980s. His playing became
highly recognised and he was in demand, writing music
with John Parr (St.Elmo's Fire), which was featured in
several Hollywood movies.
In 2005 Mick
guested at BB King's 80th Birthday held at BB's New York
Blues Bar. He has also played alongside Gary Moore and
Snowy White.
2010 saw the
release of Mick's debut solo album 'Hard Road', with one
of the tracks ' Sometimes I Feel So Lonely' nominated
for best original song at The British Blues Awards 2011.
2014 saw the
release of 'Unfinished Business' 14 tracks of soaring
blues guitar, driving rock anthems and melodic country
blues. Mick has recently spent time writing new material
for an album scheduled for release in late 2016, and
will be gigging throughout 2016.
Solid
Entertainments Presents... DONCASTER Blues Festival