The Brook, 466 Portswood Road, Portswood, Southampton SO17 3SD
Box Office Hours - 1.00pm - 7.00pm Mon - Sat (023) 8055 5366
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April 2012 @ The Brook

Rock Heavyweights! Phil Mogg – Pete Way – Paul Raymond – Vinnie Moore – Andy Parker - Return to The Brook for what is sure to be a sell out again ~ Don't hang around now!

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UFO

True rock legends distinguish themselves not only by contributing several classics to musical history, they also keep their artistic output at a permanently high level and – despite all routine – always have a fresh wind blowing through their band structure. UFO fulfils all these criteria: next to classics such as Phenomenon, Force It and No Heavy Pettin, which saw the band clock up one success after the other during the Seventies, and the beginning of the new millennium finds Phil Mogg, Pete Way and Paul Raymond as inspired and creative as ever. Thanks to their American guitarist, Vinnie Moore, who joined the fold four years ago and proved his class and significance for the group on You Are Here, his debut recording with UFO, and the live cut, Showtime, the band has grown even stronger.

There are even more stories about UFO than they've composed songs. Any band who have been in the music business for over 35 years are bound to have experienced difficult times, but also dazzling successes and spectacular events. UFO's success story began in London way back in 1969, when vocalist Phil Mogg, drummer Andy Parker, guitarist Mick Bolton and bassist Pete Way formed the group, borrowing the band name from a legendary London music club. Even in the Seventies, the band distinguished themselves with their very own, unmistakable style, touching a nerve among their growing following with rock numbers like 'Prince Kajuku', 'Follow You Home' and 'C'mon Everybody' from their albums UFO 1, Flying and UFO Live.

The global breakthrough arrived when German guitarist, Michael Schenker, joined the fold in 1973, having left his band Scorpions to follow an offer by Phil Mogg and Pete Way. UFO released three consecutive rock classics with Schenker (Phenomenon (1974), Force It (1975) and No Heavy Pettin' (1976)), featuring classics like 'Doctor Doctor', 'Shoot, Shoot', or 'Rock Bottom'. Following the arrival of keyboarder/rhythm guitarist Paul Raymond, UFO released their two studio albums Lights Out (1977) and Obsession (1978), including the hit singles 'Too Hot To Handle', 'Lights Out' and 'Only You Can Rock Me'. Their live cut Strangers In The Night came out in 1979 and is referred to by the press to this day as one of the best live releases of all time, while also signalling the 'end' of the Mogg, Way, Schenker, Parker & Raymond line-up.

The reorganised band underwent fifteen years marked by various eras and numerous line-up changes. To everyone's surprise, autumn 1993 saw the return of the former UFO line-up. This new edition of the classic team brought out Walk On Water, their first joint effort after one and a half decades, and embarked on a world tour. However, Schenker left UFO during the Walk On Water tour again to continue working with his own group, MSG, while Mogg & Way went on to release their second album, Chocolate Box. The UFO albums Covenant and Sharks, recorded by Mogg, Way and Schenker, arrived at the stores in 2000 and 2002. With Schenker returning to MSG yet again, Vinnie Moore joined the UFO family, and the album You Are Here was recorded with Jason Bonham on drums. During the subsequent world tour, UFO cut a show in Wilhelmshaven, Germany, which was later released as a double live album, Showtime, along with a DVD of the same name which featured additional bonus material. Later, Bonham made his farewells to join Foreigner and was replaced by UFO's original drummer, Andy Parker.

Gospel Greats like: 'Oh Happy Day' and 'His Eye is On the Sparrow' from Sister Act, 'Amazing Grace', 'Hallelujah' and many many more...

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In 1982 a dream and a vision came alive. Revd. Bazil Meade, with the help of Lawrence Johnson, Delroy Powell and John Francis, made a mark in history pioneering the first concert gospel choir in Britain – the London Community Gospel Choir (LCGC)

Trying to fit LCGC into a neat slot is virtually impossible.They are adaptable, flexible and create dynamic melodies with rich harmonies whether they are performing as an octet or a 30-strong choir. LCGC is known for their funky gospel flair, swing-beat, R'n'B, traditional and soulful arrangements, with invigorating choreography and vocal gymnastics.
LCGC are outstanding to watch!

Its members perform just about anywhere: private corporate functions, after-show parties, conferences, schools, cabaret functions, clubs, weddings, christenings, funerals, prisons, churches, open-air festivals, theatres and concert halls.

Controversial, Professional, Energetic, Inspiring and Spirit-filled! Whatever adjective you choose to describe the sound and vision of the London Community Gospel Choir, "there ain't no stopping them now". They will continue to go where angels fear to tread.

Oh Geno! A man so gifted Dexys Midnight Runners even wrote a song about him. Don't miss this one!

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Touted as the world's first and finest Fleetwood Mac tribute band. Come and watch them live up to the hype

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FLEETWOOD BAC are the world's first and best Fleetwood Mac Tribute Band, endorsed by Mick Fleetwood himself, and raved about by Peter Green's biographer, the only Mac tribute band to authentically replicate the classic Stevie/Lindsey/Christine/John/Mick 'Rumours' line-up.

The band returned in 2001 with their best line-up yet, and in the last 2 years the response has been amazing. Rave reviews in 'The Stage', The Fireflies and Go Your Own Way (the U.K.s leading Fleetwood Mac fansites); an endorsement from The Nicks Fix (the official Stevie Nicks website); and ecstatic audiences wherever the band played, including wowing an audience of 10,000 at the H.O.G. festival in St. Tropez, and very successful recent shows in the Cayman Islands. The band has also recently been rated by The Times as one of the U.K.'s leading tributes, alongside The Bootleg Beatles, Bjorn Again and the Counterfeit Stones.

The sound, the look, the mystical atmosphere and on-stage chemistry are all portrayed with the passion and energy that got the seal of approval from 'Big Daddy' Mick, and built up an excellent reputation amongst Mac fans through numerous tours, festival appearances, corporate events and TV and radio slots all over the U.K. and Europe.

Fans include original Mac bassist and biographer Bob Brunning, who has joined the band several times on stage for great versions of 'Need Your Love So Bad', and Peter Green's official biographer Martin Celmins.

The Fleetwood Bac show focuses on the Stevie Nicks/ Lindsey Buckingham/ Christine McVie 'Rumours' era of the band (still the 5th biggest-selling album of all time). It also features several songs from the Peter Green days, plus some of Stevie's biggest solo hits, in a theatrical two-hour show, including costume-changes and an acoustic section.

Songs featured include: Dreams, Don't Stop, Go Your Own Way, You Make Loving Fun, Tusk, Gypsy, Everywhere, Oh Well, Rhiannon, Little Lies, Black Magic Woman, Seven Wonders, Say You Love Me, Big Love, Oh Diane, Stop Draggin' My Heart Around, Albatross, Sara, Man Of The World, Hold Me, Green Manalishi and Need Your Love So Bad.

Fleetwood Mac fans are also raving about seeing and hearing favourites like: Gold Dust Woman, The Chain, 2nd Hand News, Silver Springs, I'm So Afraid, Songbird, Sisters Of The Moon, Isn't It Midnight, Leather And Lace, Oh Daddy, Monday Morning, Landslide, I Don't Want To Know, Beautiful Child, Over My Head, Never Going Back Again, World Turning, Blue Letter, Has Anyone Ever Written Anything For You, Eyes Of The World etc.

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After celebrating their 20th anniversary in 2008 with the release of their much praised live DVD/2CD "The Anatomy Of Melancholy", as well as exclusive live shows surrounding this event with Anathema and My Dying Bride, PARADISE LOST now return with the highly anticipated follow-up to 2007's "In Requiem": the brand new studio album "Faith Divides Us – Death Unites Us".

"In Requiem" owed a lot of its phenomenal success to its increased heaviness and the band's unique feel for gloomy melodies. The album was hailed by critics as the band's most metallic effort since the classic albums"Icon" (1993) and huge-selling "Draconian Times" (1995), but the brand-new opus "Faith Divides Us – Death Unites Us" strikes an even darker path.

For the first time in the band's history, guitarists Greg Mackintosh and Aaron Aedy have used 7-string guitars and decided to record with Jens Bogren (Katatonia, Opeth) at Fascination Street Studios in Örebro, Sweden, which resulted in a natural, warm and organic production. The new album was recorded with session drummer Peter Damin, who has now been permanently replaced by Adrian Erlandsson (Cradle Of Filth, At The Gates, The Haunted).

Already the album title, which contrasts the spiritual term "faith" with the bitter reality of "death", hints at the stark musical twists and turns on the album. From the foreboding mid-tempo crunch of "As Horizons End" over the drivingly heavy "I Remain" to the schizophrenic "Frailty" and the majestic title-track, the album is characterised by a clash of seething rage – well symbolised through Nick Holmes' gruffer vocals - and melancholic despair evoked through the captivating guitar play of Greg Mackintosh. A song like "Rise Of Denial" is easily the most aggressive track the band has written in years, the riffs in "Living With Scars"even have a certain old school death metal edge to them, yet PARADISE LOST never fail to add enough of their unbelievably skilled sense for accessibility and effective song-writing. The epic anthem "Last Regret" for instance is destined to become a new sing-a-long favourite during the band's upcoming European headlining tour, which kicks off late October 2009.

Since their conception in 1988, PARADISE LOST have not only founded the genre gothic metal with 1991's"Gothic", but also diligently defined and daringly transcended it. From the crawling, harrowing doom of their debut "Lost Paradise" (1990) to the electronic sounds of "One Second" (1997) over to the dark rocking punch of "Paradise Lost" (2005), the band's entire career has been accompanied by the desire to evolve and stay ahead of musical trends and fashions. "Faith Divides Us – Death Unites Us" easily and proudly continues this successful tradition and clearly points out that PARADISE LOST are one of the few outstanding acts working hard and earning their legendary status by the power of the song.

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Bow Wow Wow's early history may be short but it's complex. Over their four-album life span, Bow Wow Wow's music ranges from simple, goofy, nonsensical tunes to complex, crisp pop masterpieces. Bow Wow Wow's music has been described as a pastiche of Latin and African beats, 50's rock-n-roll, and spaghetti western soundtracks. The band packaged all of this together with an incredible sense of humor and vigor. Their style and sound have influenced many recent and modern bands around today.

With thundering African/Latin percussion and twangy, Duane Eddy guitars, Bow Wow Wow struggled to maintain a consistent image and sound through a host of record producers in their short life span. But despite the numerous people who shaped their sound from 1980-1983, a strong Bow Wow Wow identity remained intact. That unique style created a wonderful antithesis to the gloom of the London and U.S. music scene in the early 80's. Unemployment and inflation were at record highs in both countries.

Let's start at the beginning.

The year is 1980 and the place is London. Adam and the Ants were moving away from their "Dirk Wears White Sox" punk days, adopting the driving rhythms of the central African Burundi tribe, the war paint of Native Americans, pirate costumes and swashbuckling antics. This change came about through the mechanisms of the ex-manager/image consultant of the Sex Pistols, Malcolm McLaren. According to legend, after charging £1,000.00 for his advice and consultation, the Ants (Dave Barbarossa, Matthew Ashman, and Leigh Gorman) fell prey to McLaren's charm and left Adam to find other Ants. As Matthew put it: "I was an Ant. It was a horrendous experience. I'm really glad I'm out the band. McLaren came along to be our manager in the Ants and he told us to kick Adam out. So we did. Adam was writing all of the songs before McLaren came along…and Adam wasn't very good really. Didn't really like him really. He wasn't very good at dancing and I thought he was a bit old. He was 25…so, we kicked him out."

McLaren knew the group needed a lead singer. Legend has it that McLaren discovered the 14-year-old Myant Myant Aye (Burmese for"cool, cool, high") singing in a north London (Kilburn) dry cleaners. Actually, according to Annabella, one of McLaren's people came in to the dry cleaners where she was working part-time after school and asked her if she wanted to audition for the band. She showed up at the audition and got the part. Annabella was born in Rangoon (the capitol of Burma) and had moved to England at an early age.

With Annabella's voice, smarts and charm, she fit McLaren's vision of a musical experience that would be part high camp and high concept, with a huge dose of adolescent sex and innocence. Bow Wow Wow was now ready to record. With Annabella Lwin (vocals), Matthew Ashman (guitar), Leigh Gorman (bass), and Dave Barbarossa (drums), the group christened themselves Bow Wow Wow. According to most accounts the name means nothing. It was rumored that they came up with their bizarre name as a homage to the trademark of the RCA label-the dog listening to the phonograph. However, Bow Wow Wow were not on RCA when they named themselves. Their first contract was with EMI. So that theory doesn't work. When asked about the group's name Leigh Gorman said, "a dog came up and said it to me one day." I'll leave that for you to interpret.

Bow Wow Wow's first release came in the form of the world's first-ever cassette single. In July 1980, EMI released "C30, C60, C90, Go" only on cassette in the U.K. with "Sun, Sea, and Piracy" to accompany it. The single was followed by another cassette-only, U.K.–only release, "Your Cassette Pet," an extended cassette EP featuring eight snappy tracks. One featured vinyl single came from this EP, "W.O.R.K. (N.O. Nah No No My Daddy Don't), which was released in March of 1981 with "C30, C60, C90, Anda" to accompany it. Though McLaren's weak production on the EP and singles make the band sound a little cheap and undeveloped, the band's energy and potential make up for the lack of quality recording.

Lieutenant Lush arrived on the scene. A camp follower of the group. Lush began co-fronting the group with Lwin and was booed off the stage at the Rainbow Theatre gig in 1981 and was dropped from the line-up. Lieutenant Lush changed his name to Boy George, and created Culture Club.

In 1983, tensions in the group were rising. Suffering from illness and exhaustion after intense US touring, they went there separate ways.

WILD IN THE U.S.A. – BOW WOW WOW'S FIFTH ALBUM
For the first time in over a decade, Annabella and Leigh reunited in December of 1997 for a 4-month tour of America. They recruited new guitar player Dave Calhoun (Vapours), as a replacement for original guitarist Matthew Ashman, who had died of complications from diabetes in 1995. They also brought along drummer Eshan K. who replaced original drummer Dave Barbarossa. Dave had prior touring commitments with the band Republica and could not join the Bow Wow Wow reunion. Dave did, however, have enough time to train Eshan with his unique style of drumming before the band left England for their American tour.

The "Barking Mad" tour played to packed houses thru April of 1998 which eventually led to the band signing a record deal with indie giant Cleopatra Records. The live CD titled Wild in The U.S.A. was captured from performances on the 97-98 "Barking Mad" tour.
INLAND INVASION - 2003
After a 5-year hiatus Bow Wow Wow reformed once more to help KROQ celebrate their 25th Anniversary. The band performed alongside such luminaries as Duran Duran, The Cure, Echo and the Bunnymen, Soft Cell's Marc Almond and Interpol, to name but at few, at the third installment of KROQ's prestigious Inland Invasion concert series, held at the Glen Helen Hyundai Pavilion on Sept. 20th 2003. The 45,000+ sell-out event was KROQ's fasted selling concert ever.

Original members Leigh Gorman and Annabella Lwin were joined onstage by special guest Adrian Young from No Doubt, who took Dave Barbe's seat behind the drums (Dave had a prior commitment in the UK with dance band Cicane).

After having a blast on stage in front of so many people, Bow Wow Wow decided to continue doing what they do best‚ playing killer live shows. Over the past years the band have also made numerous radio, film and TV appearances (including Jimmy Kimmel Live, The Orlando Jones Show, and FUSE TV's Daily Download,), also recording segments for the third series of VH1's popular "I Love The 80's", as well the entertainment show "Extra", promoting Sofia Coppolla's film "Marie Antoinette").

"I Want Candy" was also the lead song for the recent US number 1 Russell Brand movie "Hop" and is also the lead song for Verizon's new 2011 advertising campaign. The band are about to play Japan's Sonic Festival in August 2011, this time with drummer Dylan Howard from the band Unwritten Law, and have other dates in the US coming up.

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LIMEHOUSE LIZZY - THE GREATEST HITS OF PHIL LYNOTT & THIN LIZZY

Renowned for an action-packed pyrothechnic-fuelled explosion of a show, Limehouse Lizzy continue to keep the spirit of Celtic rock icon Philip Lynott and his band Thin Lizzy alive, well and dominating stages worldwide.

Attention to detail, playful audience interaction and that all important X-factor that leaves you with the feeling of witnessing the real thing have led to their performance being described as "beyond tribute", by both audience and critics alike.

Following the enormous success of their ˜Live & Dangerous" & ˜Dedication" tours, the band embarked upon their "Into the Limelight" 2008 tour to tie in with their appearance on an episode of BBC2's 'Arena' documentary series of the same name. The tour travelled as far as a headline slot at the Rhodes Rock festival in Greece, and the Virgin Atlantic Music festival in Barbados. The band appeared alongside diverse world music acts, and played a Thin Lizzy set representing the celtic rock genre.

Their latest tour continues to explore and celebrate the artistic and musical legacy of the hard-living, hard-rocking, yet at times surprisingly tender and romantic artist that was Philip Lynott.

Expect Celtic influenced tracks like "Whisky in the Jar" and "Black Rose", amongst the usual razzamatazz and classic tracks "The Boys are Back in Town", "Sarah" and many others we've come to expect from one of the most highly rated acts on the circuit.

QUOTES

"Limehouse Lizzy's Wayne Ellis, an uncanny ringer for Phil Lynott..."
The Guardian

"entertainment for more than a decade…fantastic live music"
Arena BBC2

"if you're sceptical about tribute acts, you won't be after seeing Limehouse Lizzy"
Radio Times

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Lee Memphis King presents the ultimate tribute to The King – Elvis Presley, celebrating the entire career of this musical legend. The show will take you from the 1950’s rock ‘n’ roll heyday to Elvis’s return, to performing with the ’68 comeback special, to a rousing expo of Elvis’s years performing in Vegas. Lee brings the majesty of the voice and the electrifying power of Elvis’s performance back to life. He is accompanied throughout by his world class backing singers and band, who breathe the life into the music of a legend. 
Over the last 10 years, as Lee has toured his ‘One Night of Elvis’, he has picked up many accolades including ‘Best professional Elvis tribute in the world’ at the 2005 Collinwood Festival and ‘World’s Greatest Elvis’ finalist and has headlined and sold out some of the most prestigious venues across the UK and Europe.

To any fan of Elvis this show is the only way to enjoy the music of the greatest, most celebrated artist the world has known. Prepare to be enthralled by this amazing musical journey and spend one night with Elvis.

Lee Memphis King saw one of Elvis's films - 'Roustabout' - when he was only a few years old and has loved the man and his music from that day on. Even as a child he found himself imitating Elvis's voice and as he grew up this became an overwhelming obsession to perfect Elvis's voice and to recreate the excitement and passion that Elvis himself put into every performance. He says: "To me Elvis was the greatest performer and vocalist of the last century and I constantly strive for perfection when I perform his songs."

Lee Memphis King is a true Elvis fan and it is this genuine long felt love and respect for Elvis and his commitment to perform the closest tribute to the real thing which has led to his phenomenal success and which is reflected in the stunning performances that Lee Memphis King delivers. He pays meticulous attention to the way Elvis sings, to adopting the attitude and passion that Elvis expresses when performing and interpreting a song. Elvis's performances are lovingly and respectfully brought to life in every detail.

Lee 'Memphis' King was officially declared the best Elvis Tribute Artist in the world at the prestigious 2005 Collingwood Elvis Festival held annually in Canada. This is attended by the top Elvis tribute artists from around the world and the judges' criteria for awarding this prestigious title are based on the authenticity of the voice, stage performance, appearance and adopting Elvis's personality and passion on stage. The ultimate accolade!

In 2004 Memphis King played several UK Theatres including the London Palladium to critical acclaim and now, in this latest production, he portrays the entire performing career of Elvis.

Lee Memphis King is the producer and director of a serious production and tribute to the greatest entertainer of the last century, Elvis Presley.

In this latest production, Lee Memphis King portrays the entire performing career of Elvis Presley.:

The show starts with the exciting early Rock 'n' Roll years which started in 1954 at Sun Records led by the legendary Sam Phillips. During this time with Sun Records and later with RCA, Elvis recorded and performed famous hit songs like 'Blue Suede Shoes, 'Hound Dog' and 'One Night' which Lee Memphis King sings with the same energy and passion of his idol.

The incredible '68 Comeback Special,' a landmark in Elvis's career, is recreated faithfully and respectfully by Lee Memphis King and his incredible band. He recreates the opening songs of the 'Special' to the famous 'sit down' and finishes with an incredible rendition of 'If I Can Dream' to close the first half of the show

The second half of the show is dedicated entirely to the 'Vegas Years' when Elvis would perform in Las Vegas and tour throughout the US and Canada - the definitive record of these performances are contained in his films 'Elvis - That's the Way It Is', 'Elvis On Tour' the 'Aloha from Hawaii' concert and 'Elvis in Concert'

Accompanied by his top level orchestra and singers and wearing costumes which are accurate in every detail, Lee 'Memphis' King recreates it all with stunning authenticity - the voice and equally important for Lee, the passion and energy that Elvis put into his songs. He leaves audiences in no doubt that they are witnessing the world's No 1 Elvis Tribute Artist. Pure entertainment and Pure Presley.

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They have scored 10 number one records, over 20 top 40 hits and have toured the world for decades. Their involvement in the original "Live Aid" concert and the ground breaking "We Are The World" charity recording have further established them as legendary artists who have personally and through their music, stood the test of time. Their influence on modern pop music has been cited by numerous contemporary bands, like the Gym Class Heroes and the Killers, who have credited and acknowledged H&O's considerable contribution to American music.

On October 11, 2011 the John Oates Band arrived at the Sirius/XM Radio Station Studios in Washington D.C. to record a live performance of the show that the band had been performing for the past 6 months. The session was supervised and inspired by Bill Wax, program director and host of B.B. King's Bluesville channel at the station. I had done an interview with Bill a few months earlier and at his invitation we organized the live taping. The night before, the band played two sold out shows at the Iridium Club in New York City. The next day we drove 4 hours south to Washington and arrived at the studio mid day. After a quick set up and sound check we pulled out a set list and began to play " the show " . This album is 100 % live... exactly the way it went down that day... with no studio trickery or overdubs. In essence, we wanted to capture our live set in real time and in doing so create a snapshot of the set that thousands of fans had heard during the Mississippi Mile tour.

A band is more that the sum of its parts. There's so much more to it than just singing and playing the instruments. Its time spent together, listening, honesty, trust and the shared joy that happens when the groove, the spirit, and the sound combined with individual talent and skill, gels into one harmonious unit. This band has certainly done that and more. They are consummate professionals and good friends who have collectively worked to make this music come alive. The band consists of John Michel, from Aspen Colorado on drums and vocals. Michael Jude on bass and vocals also from Aspen Colorado. Mark Newman on Slide /electric guitar and vocals from New York City and Kevin McKendree from Nashville Tennessee on piano and organ.

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Jean Genie were formed in 1993 in Birmingham by John Mainwaring the lead vocalist of the band. They play all over the world and pay tribute to Bowie's music of the 70s 80s and 90s.

John has had many recording contracts with major companies under different guises and has toured with David Bowie's original band of the early 70s - The Spiders From Mars - being their vocalist. John has been produced by Bowie's producer Tony Visconti in the early 80s and worked with Jarvis Cocker of Pulp and Joe Elliott of Def Leppard.

He has also had a number one hit in The Lebanon in 1990. Jean Genie play all of Bowies hits in an amazing show of complete detail. John Mainwearing is without doubt the only other David Bowie on the planet, his voice is exactly the same but you don't need to close your eyes because he looks just like him too.

Hue and Cry burst onto the UK music scene in the late 1980’s with the outstandingly successful albums ‘Seduced and Abandoned’ and ‘Remote’. This period saw the band produce some of their most auspicious hit singles such as ‘Labour of Love’, ‘Violently’, and ‘Looking for Linda’. Their award winning style of intellectual, yet appealing pop songs, fused with their unique brand of soulfulness gave rise to their continued success as the band advanced ‘full-steam-ahead’ into the nineties, releasing acclaimed work which includes the chart-storming Top Ten album ‘Stars Crash Down’.

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A move away from the pop mainstream to concentrate on other projects saw Pat and Greg Kane make a triumphant return in 2008 with their first pop album in sometime - the much applauded ‘Open Soul’ which boasted a energetic and synergetic combination of the band’s classic ‘pop-soul’ sound, coupled with fresh and on occasion ‘stripped down’ production. Extensive UK touring supported the release of ‘Open Soul’, and February 2009 saw the release of a definitive selection of the band’s earlier work including hits, rare mixes, extended versions and B-sides, entitled ‘The Collection’. The end of 2009 saw the release of ‘Xmasday’ which contained a vibrant mixture of brand new Hue and Cry festive tracks along with some classic songs and seasonal favourites.

To round off the year and compliment the release of ‘Xmasday’, Hue and Cry celebrated all things ‘Xmas’ with their fans in December 2009 by presenting the immensely successful ‘History City Weekend’ in their home town - an event that saw Pat and Greg perform two special shows over one weekend at the renowned ABC venue on Glasgow’s famous Sauchiehall Street – one night an intimate ‘piano & vocal’ show, followed by a ‘full-on’ 7 piece band spectacular!

Due to the phenomenal success of this weekend, the band released ‘Bitter Suite Again’, a live CD & DVD follow up to ‘Bitter Suite’ (platinum best selling album originally released in 1989), which had been recorded at the History City Weekend’ piano & vocal show. To the delight of fans, February, 2011 saw the brothers host the follow up to this event, with ‘The Hue and Cry Glasgow Kiss Weekend’, another weekend of dazzling performances, both ‘piano & vocal’ and ‘full band’. Due to popular demand, the weekend was released as two live albums, containing classic Hue and Cry songs and cover versions hand selected by the brothers themselves.

March, 19th 2012 marks the highly anticipated release of a brand new studio album from Hue and Cry entitled ‘Hot Wire’. The album is a collection of stunning early New Orleans funk inspired songs, from the brother’s collective love of early 70’s Funk and Soul music. The result is a musical merge of complex melodies, harmonies and funk rhythms with a style that remains distinctive to Hue and Cry. The album contains sharp political and social commentary that is as relevant and poignant today, as it was with the release of the politically laced ‘Labour of Love’ in 1987. From reflections on the struggle of New Orleans in the wake of Hurricane Katrina in ‘Duty to the Debtor’ to the loss of military lives within ‘I Can Have It All.’

To coincide with the release of the new album, Pat and Greg will be returning to the O2 ABC Glasgow in March 2012 for the ‘Hot Wire Weekend’. The weekend is set to be the band’s most highly anticipated live event yet. Friday, March 30th will see Pat and Greg perform an intimate piano & vocal performance which is to be followed on Saturday, March 31st with the brothers lining up as part of their full seven piece band. The weekend is set to include a host of amazing extras and a few surprises. Pat and Greg are very much looking forward to playing the new material as Pat reflects,

“We have been busy working away on ‘Hot Wire’ throughout 2011, we can’t wait to perform the new material live, to see the fans and their response to it.” Greg adds, “It’s great to be back in the saddle, we are raring to go for the next 12 months.”

Hue and Cry have performed alongside some of the most prolific names in the business including U2, James Brown, Van Morrison, Madonna and Al Green as well as playing to thousands on their own headline tours. Pat and Greg are very much looking forward to engaging with fans once again on tour in 2012. Hue and Cry have a long-term plan to stick around and continue to do what they do best – to engage, challenge and entertain their fans old and new.

"one of the best and brightest guitar heroes performing in the world today" Classic Rock magazine

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Up until 2002, Oli Brown had never picked up a guitar, yet by 2006 (at just 16) he had toured in America, TWICE, opening for  Blues royalty such as Buddy Guy, Koko Taylor, Taj Mahal, shared UK stages with Walter Trout, Paul Jones, Buddy Whittington and even the Godfather of British Blues, John Mayall.

Such hallowed connections only serve to reaffirm the belief, that for many, Oli is the most promising Blues man to emerge from Britain in a long time. Not only a guitar prodigy but also a singer, songwriter and consummate performer. This is a  young man who shows total dedication to the genre he loves.

In late 2006, whilst playing at jam sessions, Oli met Simon Dring, a superb drummer and Fred Hollis, a highly talented bass player. It was during these sessions, finding that not only did they get on well musically, but also as friends,  that Oli asked both Fred and Simon to join him in The Oli Brown Band. March 2007 was the start of their live gigs.

Paul Jones saw and heard the potential and invited The Oli Brown Band, to do a live session for his BBC Radio 2 show. The session was aired May 14 2007 and received rave reviews.

Oli went back to play in the States during July and August of 2007 (guesting with the American Blues band, Blinddog Smokin') there he hit the Mid West with his young British Blues and built up his reputation even more.

In November 2007, The Oli Brown Band was selected by "Blues in Britain" to perform at the 24th International Blues Convention in Memphis, Tennessee. Oli and his band were the ONLY UK act to be chosen to represent Britain at this prestigious event !! 

In February 2008, Oli  was invited to record at Ardent Studios, Memphis, by John Fry himself, not only to cut a couple of tracks, but also to have The Oli Brown Band  record a live session for their "Ardent Session" (a weekly radio transmission). An honour indeed and not taken for granted. It is worth pointing out that The Oli Brown Band live session had over 1.4 million hits (YES ! 1.4 million !) in three weeks !

Oli signed to the major Blues label, Ruf Records, in January 2008  and went into the studio (with Fred and Simon) in March 2008 to cut  the tracks for his first official album "OPEN ROAD"(consisting of 8 original tracks and 3 great covers), it was released in  June 2008 and has received excellent reviews.

Here are just a few of the UK reviews for "Open Road"

"has the Blues under his fingernails" Classic Rock
"a debut that lives up to expectations" Mojo
"the future of the Blues is evidently bright" Guitarist
"definitely one for the present as well as the future" Guitar and Bass
"a sparkling debut" Sunday Express

2008 had The Oli Brown Band gigging extensively and included supporting artists such as Johnny Winter, Robben Ford, Walter Trout, The Fabulous Thunderbirds, Devon Allman's Honeytribe, Jon Cleary and Buddy Whittington.

Oli spent the month of August gigging in America, alongside Sherman Robertson, Miss Blues, Billy Branch and Blinddog Smokin'.

In 2008 Oli secured endorsements from Hofner, Fender, Vanquish and Ernie Ball.

Ecstatic reviews here, Europe  and in America, only go to show that this young British singer, songwriter and musician has a great future ahead of him.

Haven't seen Oli perform ? Here are some comments from people that have,

"a great talent" John Mayall
"Oli is MY hero" Walter Trout
"one of the best and brightest guitar heroes performing in the world today" Classic Rock
"a great band, the BEST we have worked with" Devon Allman (son of Greg Allman)
"East Anglian whiz kid not to be missed" Paul Jones (Manfred Mann, The Blues Band, BBC Radio 2 )
"Blues prodigy set to shake the British scene out of its slumber" Classic Rock
"Oli is the most promising Blues man to emerge from Britain for a long time" Blues Matters magazine
"a lot of fire and passion" Aynsley Lister
"he PLAYS the Blues" Otis Grand
"more soulful and rhythmically creative than a Zulu war drummer !" Elmore (American music magazine.)
"the real deal" Blues in Britain magazine
"we would like Oli for future shows with Johnny Winter" Paul Nelson, Johnny Winter's manager.
"let's do it again !" The Fabulous Thunderbirds