T. Mandrake take their name from the flower (mandrake) whose roots (which resemble human figures) are used in magic rituals. Musically, they combine rock (and a lost ‘70s soundtrack that might include The Chicago Transit Authority, Arthur Lee’s Love and Blood, Sweat and Tears) with ‘60s Stax soul and jazz. However, a Mandrakes' song is as likely to remind you of Strange Days era Doors or Young Americans era David Bowie as it is to conjure up images of a Weill/Brechtian theatre-piece performed by The Sensational Alex Harvey Band.
T. Mandrake are fronted by half Thai, half American vocalist/guitarist Jay Zieseniss who is joined by Casper Christensen (keyboards), Mark "Monty" Garfield (drums & percussion), Claudia Georgette (vocals), Matt Hanson (guitar and backing vocals), Tad MacDonald (bass and backing vocals), and the ever-excellent Mandrake Horns, comprising Emma Frampton (tenor sax & BVs), Ellie Smith (trombone & BVs) and Kate Plane (trumpet, flugelhorn & BVs). Intriguingly, legendary Cream lyricist/percussionist Pete Brown is a co-lyricist and backing vocalist and also secures co-production credits for the band’s debut album From East To West And All The Rest alongside another legendary figure, Eddie Kramer, famed for his work with Jimi Hendrix and Led Zeppelin amongst countless others.
T.Mandrake's debut single "Always In The Summer" is available to buy on iTunes, along with B-side "Tall Grass" - CLICK HERE TO BUY NOW!
Their follow-up E.P "Bust 'n' Boom" is also now available to buy on iTunes - CLICK HERE TO BUY NOW!
THE PLAYGROUND presents O' WHEN THE FRENCH w/ KAVINSKY// AUTOKRATZ (Kitsune)// KAP BAMBINO// IS TROPICAL// TEENAGERSINTOKYO and PUNX SOUNDCHECK (Kitsune) on Saturday 14th August @ KOKO..
Make sure you book your tickets early, it's set to be a Big night!
THE PLAYGROUND presents Filthy Electro Trash on Saturday 14th Novmber. Come along and celebrate with:
Punks Jump Up (KITSUNE)// Punx Soundcheck (KITSUNE)// Steed Lord// Gobsausage// Glass Diamond// TOY TOY// The Education// Mr. Beasley// Ben Osborne// DJ Darkorse// Circa Burlesque- Little Bo Freak// Chrys Columbine// Slinky Sparkles and Straightola (VJ Set)
THE PLAYGROUND Vs Noise Of Art will give you a big Halloween bash on Saturday 31st October featuring
Man Like Me// My Tiger My Timing// My Toys Like Me// Trash Fashion// The Midi Midis// Glitches// The Teeth// Kindle// Gene Serene// DARKORSE-DJ set/// Rack ‘n’ Ruin – DJ Set// Afro Punk-DJ set// Slinky Sparkle// Chris Columbine// Little Bo Freak and Lydia Darling// Noise of Art’s “Dance of the Vampires” with They Came From The Stars and I Saw Them Vs Les Hommers DU Train// Ben Osborne -DJ set// Immaculate Extremists// Overlap// Your Mum// MOTH and more
“You're unlikely to attend another event in London like this so our advice is to get your ticket sharpish.” DJ Magazine, 2009.
After our hugely successful launch with the BRUTE CHORUS and CIRCUS BURLESQUE trapeze artists, stilts, performance artists and burlesque dancers we have the next instalment coming up on Saturday the 26th September featuring KAPUTT, ROMANCE, SPEAK AND THE SPELLS and a whole lot more. Looking forward to seeing you there.
FEAR NO FISH / THE GUILTY ONES / T. MANDRAKE @ Bar Rumba, 36 Shaftesbury Avene, Central London, W1D 7EP (tubes: Piccadilly Circus / Leicester Sq.) Friday 14th August; 7.30pm
We have our next mini-festival at 93 Feet East on Saturday 25th July with an amazing line-up along with our usual Burlesque, performance art and Electro DJ’s. Check out the ticket link below. See you there.
Legs..Legs..Legs..I'm so sorry i missed your show the other night but i've been really ill..i wont go into details! I'm there at the next one tho with my "I heart Legs" T-shirt on. Monty i'm also sorry i was quite drunk when we met last so i'm sorry for any BullS*** i was talking. Anyway peace and love to all.xxx
