Influenced by loads of artists... uh... Rory Gallagher, Mark Knopfler, Robert Cray, Ray Charles, John Mayall, Jimi Hendrix, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Pink Floyd (and any David Gilmour), Sonny Landreth, John Mayer, Muddy Waters, Howlin' Wolf, loads of blues fellers... also folk - Bert Jansch, Davey Graham, John Renbourn, Richard Thompson...
BACK DOOR SLAM started life as four school mates from the Isle of Man who shared a passion for the blues and started a band to prove it. Fast forward a couple of years, and the just-legal Davy Knowles, Adam Jones and Ross Doyle notched up hundreds of dates across America, and found themselves opening for the likes of Kid Rock, Govt Mule and The Who. And now sees the next exciting chapter in the BDS story, as Davy releases album no2 'Coming Up For Air' - produced by & featuring the legend Peter Frampton...
But first, back to the start.
Brought up on a potentially overindulgent appetite of Everything Blues, four teenage friends from a tiny Island in the middle of the Irish Sea used their precocious talents to create their own mindblowing brand of contemporary/traditional blues-rock, with a flavour of their celtic heritage brought into the mix. There was Davy on lead and vocal, Brian Garvey on rhythm guitar, Ross on drums and Jamie Armstrong on bass. The result was a sound reminiscent of the greats (BB King, Howlin Wolf, Jimi Hendrix, SRV) but with a big fat nod to the modern music and songwriters they all share a love of (Clapton, Knopfler, Mayall, Mayer). Add that twist of 'Mann' - and the fact that the singer-songwriter guitarist of the group is one of the most accomplished young musicians of our time - and you have a truly distinctive, exciting sound.
After the tragic death of their rhythm guitarist Brian, and a change of bass player some time later, they settled as Davy, Adam (bass) and Ross (drums) - a trio that fast became a musical force to be reckoned with. Their debut CD 'Roll Away' was released in 2007 to critical acclaim, on US indie label Blix Street Records. Their live shows have been praised across America as some of the best around - with Davy being hailed as 'the new Jimi', 'the new SRV', 'the new Eric' and 'a guitar God in training', and the band enjoying comparisons to Cream & Double Trouble among others.
In January 2009, Davy went into the studio to work on the highly anticipated follow up to 'Roll Away', with Peter Frampton producing. Although Adam and Ross are now going to be pursuing their own music careers in the UK and Europe, the super-talented, 21 yr old Knowles continues the incredible story of Back Door Slam - with plenty more exciting times ahead...
Davy is managed by Bob Miller (Corinne Bailey Rae) and signed to Blix Street Records.
"I heard the spirit of Jimi Hendrix coming from the open, street side windows of
a joint called B.D. Riley's. It was 'Red House,' executed superbly by a surprisingly
young trio called Back Door Slam, from the Isle of Man in the U.K. The club was
packed and so was the street outside. Folks were transfixed by this kid on guitar
who played with a fiery spirit and sang with conviction, making the song his own."
- Patrick MacDonald, Seattle Times
"If 'Roll Away' isn't a hit then every rock music writer (myself included) is responsible.
The album is a grenade launcher; it's an incendiary device, it's a melodic, melancholy
and effervescent cannon ball set to music." - Jason Hood, Time Out Music Columnist
"Outside Woman Blues" at Smith's Olde Bar. Courtesy MAV TV.
Male & female tshirts & posters available from this link. All other merch - including woven patches, badges and custom guitar picks available from the merch table at gigs.
Thanks so much for the add!! I also wanted to make sure you had a chance to check out my friend Nycole Valentina's page. She just added some new songs and pics, let me know what you think, Thanks!
Do me a favor, please checkout and add Nycole Valentina at www.myspace.com/nycolevalentina, or Just click on the banner below:
Hello my friend! Great to hear the new songs online! Hope the tour is going strong man! Thanks again for playing for the free clinics..you rocked the place! See you the next time your in SF!
I want to congratulate you on the BEST show i've seen in the past few years. It wasn't up until that point when i started liking blues but you guys made me love it even more. I am amazed at the skill level of you all and hope you continue playing and spreading your music across the world. You guys rocked out Ribfest in Fort Wayne, IN and i was just stopping by to say thanks for the great show, thanks for the inspiration for me to keep playing, and thanks for being a new role model for me to look up to. Keep playing the blues guys, you are an amazing band and i want it to stay that way.
My wife and I saw you and the band play last night at Ribfest in Fort Wayne, Indiana. We both have but 1 thing to say and it is - - WOW!!!! You and the band rocked the Fort. We hope you come back again! You sir have a unique talent with the guitar. I have not witnessed such a talented person up close and in person like that! What an experience!!
Ps. - You do need to record and release your encore song!! It is awesome!!
Hi everybody, just here to say our new RORY GALLAGHER HAWK BOOSTER is ready for shipping. Have a listen if you get a chance, All the best, Stevie Flynn.
