Band members are:
GOLLY GOULDING: on lead guitar (although he's develped a technique that makes the term 'lead' a bit inadequate). Golly has been playing in the north west area since the 60's in the Fontaines, MBQ, and since around 1980 in Citizens Band. He is probably the best exponent of vintage rock and original R n B.......sounds more like Chuck Berry than Chuck Berry at times!
DEREK 'THUNDER' JACKSON: Lead vocals and harmonica player. Always delivers. Main influences Howlin Wolf and Captain Beefheart with every other great Chicago R n B harpist/vocalist not far behind.
GARY PUGH: Bass and usually soundman. Played in the early original line up and now rejoins us after more than 2 decades.
ERIC BROADBENT: Seems to buy as many drum kits as I do sox. Again a drummer from the early CB line up and a welcome return to the fold. Been playing since Hannibal crossed the alps
Influences
Chicago Blues, Vintage Rock, Coasters, Brenda Lee. Dr Feelgood, Chuck n Bo. Anybody really good
Sounds Like
Loud and good that's for sure! Chuck Berry meets the Feelgoods meets Sonny Boy Williamson. Not for the faint hearted or cabaret lovers.
Citizens Band (and a few derivatives such as Transit Blues Band & Rockhouse) pretty well ruled the RnB roost in Lancaster area during the very late 70's to late 1980's till lead vocalist Thunder Jackson hit the highway. Following his return to Lancaster in 2006 the band reformed immediately and basically...........are just as good and gigging regularly in the North west area............it's just like the Blues Brothers film (well sort of).
The band contains the original guitarist Golly Goulding, vocalis/harp player Derek 'Thunder' Jackson (the original founder members and core of the band), one of the original bassists Gary Pugh and early drummer Eric Broadbent.
We are occasionally joined by some tasty pianists.......Rob Bee or Boogie Bill Roberts in the recent past, and more recently Thunder's old mate Ben Ruth (from the Convulsions) who has joined us on a pretty regular basis and who opts to reliquish his own tasty harmonica playing for the evening and joins us on hammond type organ. When Ben has other committments we are proud to have Greg Morgan with us on piano.
The band play kick ass RnB....Chuck Berry, Howlin Wolf, Sonny Boy Williamson as well as some great and obscure rock standards, all performed in their inimitable 'no prisoners' fashion. The band still derive a certain thrill after 35+ years in hearing that timeless request from publicans 'can you turn it down a bit lads'..............to which the answer is always a resounding NO!
Thanks so much for taking part in our Big Bash on Saturday. We raised £551. 77 for the Christmas Shelter, as well as having a great (but exhausting) time!! Nonie xx
