Wille Edwards - Lead vocals, Dobro, Electric Lap slide, Banjo, Acoustic and Electric Guitars
Andrew Naumann - Drums, Percussion, Jews Harp and vocals
Kieran Doherty - Bass and vocals
Influences
Eric Clapton, JJ Cale, John Butler Trio, Bob Dylan, Bob Marley, Ben Harper, Robert Randoff, Eagles, Xavier Rudd, Dire Straits, Pink floyd, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Rage Against the Machine, Jimi Hendrix, Primus, Pearl Jam, Mr Bungle, Jeff Buckley, Martin Harley, John Martyn and Blues Traveller.........
Sounds Like
FOR BOOKING IN UK CONTACT:
Dave Dunn or Marcus at mail@ukrootsmovement.co.uk
FOR BOOKINGS IN EUROPE CONTACT:
GG or Eric at gerald@ginkomusik.com
PRESS RELEASES:
"Cheaper than prozac and better for you"
(Dr Phil Hammond BBC Radio Bristol)
"Front man Will Edwards whiskey soaked drawl and inspired slide guitar licks hark back to the 1930's Mississippi, while drummer Andy Naumann and ex Cantaloop bassist Keiran Doherty drag the Bandits brilliantly unique sound into the 21st century"
(GO2 Magazine)
“Wille himself is a great performer and had the crowd screaming for more, his slide guitar was just damn right sexy. They sound a lot like john butler trio but with a little more funk. Andy the drummer swapped back and forth from drum to bongo and made an awesome sound leaving nothing but a swarm of dreadlocks to be seen behind a drumkit. The band played on well after shut time and a few lucky spectators were able to stay back as they free styled. Overall an awesome band, who will defiantly be coming back again. If you have a chance to see these guys anywhere else remember your dancin shoes.”
(Belushis Bar)
Newquay
"“Awesome slide guitar playing”
(The Beautiful Girls)
"Wille's versatile guitar technique is largely self taught and his slide guitar is particularly impressive but his vocal is more Brit-orientated, reminiscent of that distinctive John Martin drawl. And very well it works too, combined with the inventive bass playing of classically-trained guitarist Ed Oliver and the percussion skills of jazz-tutored drummer Andy Naumann they are the archetypal festival band..”
(Plymouth Evening Herald)
"In an industry devoid of any roots music (Jack Johnson a notable exception) Wille & the Bandits show what the public is missing. The band is fairly unique currently with hints of what Rage Against the Machine might sound like doing roots music came to the fore. However, if the sets played are up to this standard, others will not only follow but Wille & the Bandits will have carved out a name for themselves as one of the countries top acts.”
(South Coast Entertainment)
"By far the best new thing in the kinda-bluesy mode we've heard in some considerable time, these guys groove as well as sing like whiskey Angels."
(The Bell Inn, Bath)
One of the most exciting and talked about acts to emerge in the past year, their sound seems to be an amalgamation of the best elements of music from every era creating a new vibe which is wholely their own. Imagine dusting off your old vinyl and blasting it out in your new spaceship.
This unique combo began by pioneering the Roots Rock scene in the south west and is now pushing out into the rest of Britain and Europe. A similar ocean inspired style of music has thrived on the surfing coasts of the USA and Australia, bringing us artists such as Jack Johnson, Ben Harper and John Butler. We now have a British representative Wille and the Bandits.
In their first year together the band played at over 15 prestigious festivals including Larmer Tree, Greenbelt, Goldcoast Ocean Fest, Maker Sunshine Fest, Jersey Longboard Festival, Surfstock and Beach Breaks to name but a few.
The band’s world music vibe makes them accessible to a wide range of audiences and they have been praised by critics for seamlessly crossing over and blending Rock, Blues, Folk, Latin, Bluegrass and Reggae, keeping audiences engaged to the very end. This versatility has enabled Wille and the Bandits to share stages with artists as diverse as blues roots legends; Eric Bibb and Donavon Frankenreiter, Folk superstars; The Levellers and Seth Lakeman and Reggae boppers; Finaly Quaye and The Beautiful Girls.
Wille is regarded by many as one of the finest lap steel players in the country and when accompanied by his gravelly voice the concoction is irresistible.
"Front man Will Edwards’ whiskey soaked drawl and inspired slide guitar licks hark back to the 1930's Mississippi, while drummer Andy Naumann and ex Cantaloop bassist Kieran Doherty drag the Bandits brilliantly unique sound into the 21st century"
(GO2 Magazine)
The band dedicates their lives to their music which shows in their performances and in the lifestyle that they lead, clocking up thousands of miles to get their sound heard.
They have appeared live on ITV, BBC Radio, Bristol, Cornwall, Somerset and Devon. Headlined shows in England, toured France, Belgium, Holland and Germany and have another tour of Europe booked before the festival season.
After selling out physical copies of their first EP in under a year, the band will be touring the UK in April to promote their debut album!
Thanks for playing Summer Breeze. Hope you enjoyed it. Check out www.leighgregory.co.uk for some fantastic pics of the day. Cheers and hope to see you soon. Andy
I like very much your roots blues good guitar beautiful voice, very good rhythm section. Everything to make a big group On May 15th to see you there live in Lille Amitiés bluesiaques Phiphi
Hi Guys! Thank you for adding us to your friendlist. You got some great songs, and we are looking forward to hear some more from you. Please feel free to visit our page and listen to something you don't hear every day: Country Music From Denmark!!!!! Cheers! Lonerock - Scandinavian Country That Rocks!! Official Website
Hi again are you playing greenbelt this year can't wait. we saw you last year. we were blown away. if you are playing will your album be out by then. if so we will definately get one. pleaz comment back.
love kaleidafunk
(check out new demos on our myspace include pose and smokey moon)
