The Steve French Band

Bio:

The band started life as FEEL THIS in about 1995, the very first line up being Francis Lamb on drums, Simon Woolley on bass, Andy Ryder on rhythm guitar and Steve French on vocals and lead guitar. The band almost started out as Ryder French Woolley Lamb but with little deliberation that idea was soon chopped.

As with many bands, musicians come and go for a variety of reasons, but when Sheena Savage came in to replace Francis in 1997, wonderful musical things happened, and she's been in the band ever since. She has become one of the most talked about drummers in the North of England, and her awsome grooves, fantstic time keeping and her passion for playing is now the foundation of the band. And what a chicago shuffle, wow!!

The band is currently a classic power trio format, but it hasn't always been that way. When Andy left in 2002 the fantastic guitarist Paul Vickers joined the band, and despite some personal traumas stayed for six successful gigging months. Tragically Paul passed away in 2005, he was only in his mid-thirties. He is sadly missed but also remembered not only as a brilliant musician, songwriter and producer, but also as one of the nicest and funniest people we've worked with. We think of him often.

The band has also worked with some wonderful keyboard players. Nick Fletcher on piano brought a subtler side to the band by incorporating his jazz leanings into the tracks. Joe Glossop also developed the band's sound by adding some outstanding Hammond organ and piano, which can be heard on some of the band's live recordings. Both Nick and Joe have moved on to develop their own successful music careers.

And we mustn't forget the wonderful bass players who have moved the band forward over the years. John Hudson, Mike Murrey, Mat Nashvili, Andy Carr, and Neil Hudson. Some time towards the end of 2003 Sheena and Andy Carr were tired of the band's name not been taken seriously and it was they who suggested "The Steve French Band".

The final change to be made was in the summer of 2006 when bass player Paul Mallatratt joined the band. He can play anything we throw at him. Top Man!

The band has done around an estimated 750+ gigs since it's conception in the nineties and all the members past and present have been utterly brilliant to work with.

THIS IS THE BANDS FIRST MUSIC VIDEO. PLEASE CHECK IT OUT!!!

Members:

Steve French (Guitars & Vocals),
Sheena Savage (Drums & Vocals),
Paul Mallatratt (Bass & Vocals),

Influences:

Up tempo blues/rock with songs from Jimi Hendrix, Stevie Ray Vaughn, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Cream, Rory Gallagher, Freddy King. We like to play our own versions of well known blues songs so think 'driving shuffles' and 'funky grooves'.

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Sounds Like:

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"Hendrix, Vaughan, power and passion... A Stratocaster Hero in the blues tradition"
(The Star)

"Sheffield's Premier Talented Blues Band"
(The Sheffield Telegraph)

"Put seeing this band at the top of your 10 must do things... Three highly proficient and entertaining musicians, always a pleasure to have them playing at our pub. Probably the best Sheffield blues band... ever!"
(Kevin & Steph Woods, The New Barrack Tavern, Sheffield)

"Tighter than a sadomasochists handcuffs. Prepare for pleasure."
(Neil Ramsden, The Den Hi-fi & Records, Keighley)

"Absolutely fabulous!"
(Frank Higgins, Mayor of Dronfield, Dronfield Music Festival 2009)

"Thanks for the gig last night at Scarborough Blues Club. It's always a pleasure promoting good bands that exceed expectations; that do more than what they 'say on the tin.' You certainly do concentrate on quality of sound and I thought your guitar playing was a pure joy. Quality of sound, genuine musicianship, and a first class blues band! What more could a blues fan want from a night out at their favoured venue?"
(Mark Horsley, Voluntary Promoter, Scarborough Blues Club)

"Saw The Steve French Band in Wakefield - excellent! Very tight, could not fault them. Wish I could have stayed for the 2nd spot which I believe would have been Clapton/more SRV. My sort of music & a good crowd."
(Dave Gascoigne, Rosewell-Amps)

"What a night we had on Saturday. THE STEVE FRENCH BAND! What a band they are! If you have never seen them, you must! The place was packed. Steve on lead guitar/vocals, Paul on bass/vocals, and Sheena Savage on drums and vocals, they are playing the best we have ever heard. They are so tight (no, that's not Steve's wallet) so a huge thanks goes to them. Can't wait until they play our music festival in a few weeks!"
(Steph Woods, The New Barrack Tavern)

"This band rate amongst the top three to have adourned the stage at Music! Nights with regard to professionalism, crowd pleasing and pure 'felt' performances. If you don't like this band, then you don't like live music! ... It's THAT simple!!!"
(Steve Creaser, Music! Nights & Whammer Jammer Live Events)

"Great gig at the Rugby Club on Sunday night. I have seen you a number of times at Colne over the years and on Sunday you were the best I have seen you for ages. Tight - really tight. It's not often I feel the need to email the band to tell them how good they were, but in this case I just felt I had to."
(Audience member - The Great British R&B Festival 2009, Colne)

"What can you say about the Steve French Band? Steve, Sheena and Paul - we can't get enough of them. Great people and great music and great crowds."
(Steph Woods, The New Barrack Tavern)

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