Singer/Guitarist : Eddy Gartry
Born in the North East. A regular on the UK blues scene. Mad for vintage amps, comedy and old American music. Credits include playing with the Fabulous Thunderbirds, The Muddy Waters Band, Doctor Hook, The Feelgoods and many more.
Harmonica : Rob Venables
Self confessed blues anorak and harmonica junky. The definitive outdoor action man. Hear him on TV; a regular on ads. Collects Irish tunes and dissects harmonicas in his spare time! Previous supports with, Midge Ure, Chris Farlowe, The Yardbirds and Catfish Keith.
Guitar/Vocals : Richy Davies
Born on the Welsh borders. The youngest band member. Ex-Cadillacs and Wild Honey. Avid archivist of music, film and comedy. Has played with Gypy Mayo and Tony Mcphee. Support slots include; Peter Green and Wishbone Ash
Bass : John Hamilton
Born in Dublin, raised in Essex. The bass player?s bassist! Rare blues vinyl horder. Previous employers include; Alison Moyet. [ALF] Gypy Mayo and The Groundhogs. Dudes include Steve Weston, The Roosters and the Hamsters.
Drums/Vocals/Piano : Paul Recchia
Born in York. Mentalist party Animal. Mr Versatile. TV. albums,
tours galore. Master drummer and the maddest since Keith Moon. Sounds like Bonham, frightening solos and killer voice. Utterly unpredictable and completely unforgettable!
A SURPRISE FROM THE HEART OF WALES......
Amidst the scenic hills and picturesque landscape along the Welsh/English border, (where
the magic mushrooms grow and beer is still £1.80 a pint) a very interesting secret has been harboured. Until now, that is.
Recently, this area has been reverberating to the sound of a particular brand of blues music. Coincidentally, this same locality appears to be the home ground, and meeting place for a band of very dedicated musicians.
A group it seems, who have one important and mutual obsession in common, a lifetime
of devotion to playing blues music; their way. Apparently, these guys have all toured the World, individually backing many famous names along the way, but for them to
congregate in this obscure neck of the woods seems peculiar.
However, to their local fans, their unique brand of hard blues is extremely welcome. Pretty young boys, brought up in a world of karaoke, they are not. But their reverent approach to blues music, irrespective of fashion, sets them aside from most of today's 'programmed' entertainers. Collectively named, 'Blues State U.K.' these are characters who execute their craft with a passion. Don't even ask how I got there, but I was fortunate enough to catch the band performing at a very odd gig, in some obscure village in Wales. The place was
packed with odd-looking punters, all hot, excited and jumping. Blues State U.K. were going down a storm and the atmosphere seemed like Woodstock in a pub.
Make no mistake; this band are to be reckoned with. A unique chemistry carried them through two blistering sets. The slide guitar, piano and harmonica solos in
particular, were exceptional. Drums and bass were as tight as the proverbial and the
mood just got spookier as the evening progressed. The vocals were executed with an authenticity hardly befitting the white, skinny bloke singing, and by the end of the evening, the crowd were rendered as helpless as I was, clapping, banging and screaming for
more. Together, they performed a frightening version of a Billy Boy Arnold song, threw in some Slim Harpo for good measure and left us with a storming John Lee Hooker number. If you're a punter that likes tough music with a kick-ass attitude, or a geezer that just loves the blues, then see this band at all costs, even if it means a trip to Wales. Better still, if you can organise 'Blues State U.K.' a gig at your local venue, before they hit the big time, then do it straight away, you'll be rewarded with an unforgettable night. It would impress your strange locals too!
Blues Unlimited.__
Hi Ed & the Gang, amazing how it seems like only yesterday. It brings back so many memories. A full 30 years ago! Maybe it's time to show the young uns in Amsterdam how to do it. Nik
Hi there Ed, just been watching the clips on YouTube again (and again and again). Fantastic stuff. It's high time you guys did a tour of Holland. Lots of love from Caroline and the rest of the Walker Clan
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