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)
"Absolutely blew us away"
(Bristolbands.com)
“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 and the bandits are the faces taking the blues roots scene forward in the south west and in great style"
(Martin Harley)
"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, the amps are a little louder than what we are used to, but who wouldn’t turn them up when you’re this good, these boys can groove and sing like whiskey angels and it doesn’t take long to realise why they belong on the festival circuit.”
(Trowbridge festival)
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.
The band are embarking on a similar trail to those great British bands of the 70’s such as Led Zeppelin, Cream and the Rolling Stones by trying to put the blues into a different format and bringing it into the present, whereas the bands in the 70’s sped it up and made it electric the bandits are taking a different approach to the rhythm section using more hip hop and reggae grooves.
"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)
Wille is regarded by many as one of the most innovative lap steel players in the country while the guitar lays across his lap all sorts of sounds can be heard, from the soft trippy soundscape’s associated with Dave Gilmore’s playing right through to the thunderous distorting blues licks of Rage against the machine, add this to Wille’s gravelly voice and the concoction becomes irresistible.
hey boys cheers for finding me. ur music's sweet- check out my friends band www.myspace.com/thethomasoliverband and also anther sweet nz band the black seeds, and little bushman reckon u'd like their licks. peace- miss dom x
Thanks for the add Willie and the Bandits!! Ur choons are great, hope everything goes well on your tour and you should come over to Dublin sometime, ur music would be well adored =)
Looking forward to sharing the stage with at the fleece on the 1st of december.
Myself and Kyle (drums) have seen you a couple times at our local watering hole Riflemans in Glasto. Loving the tunes! See you in a few weeks :) Tom LBN
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