Saturday, January 30, 2010
Monday, January 25, 2010
Friday, January 22, 2010
The Hamsters: It's only Rock n blues but I like it!
'It's only rock'n roll, but I like it', sang The Rolling Stones in 1974 & still they keep on rolling with sell out world tours. When they started out bands had to gig regularly, which improved them as musicians & crucially got them known & established a loyal fan base. There was no such thing as MTV or youtube then with the potential to quickly expose your music to millions.
Today there are some bands that don't have a major record deal, but they tour regularly, which is a vital part of their income & as a result of it have built up legions of followers. My personal favorite & recommendation has to be TheHamsters from Southend on sea in Essex. Since performing their first live show in April 1987 they have now notched up over 4,000 gigs & are described as the leading interpreters of songs by ZZ Top & Jimi Hendrix. They have glowing tributes from no less than 'whispering Bob Harris' & the legendary Johnnie Walker. Paul Jones has featured them on his Radio 2 blues show, & one of their tracks was was heard as part of the Radio 2 series 'Bright lights,Big city'. Narrated by Bill Wyman, it told the story of British rhythm & blues from the 50's to the present.
The Hamsters have toured with John Otway,Wilko Johnson & Walter Trout. They have also supported those classic British bands Status quo & Wishbone Ash. One of their popular gigs at the Half moon in Putney was under threat of closure, but thanks to the sterling efforts of The Hamsters,pub owners & staff & of course their loyal fans, the brewery has been persuaded to revamp the venue & keep it open.
If you want to know more about the band, check them out at www.thehamsters.co.uk. Better still, go & enjoy their unique brand of 'rodent rock' at a venue near you soon. It's only rock n blues, but you'll like it!
Today there are some bands that don't have a major record deal, but they tour regularly, which is a vital part of their income & as a result of it have built up legions of followers. My personal favorite & recommendation has to be TheHamsters from Southend on sea in Essex. Since performing their first live show in April 1987 they have now notched up over 4,000 gigs & are described as the leading interpreters of songs by ZZ Top & Jimi Hendrix. They have glowing tributes from no less than 'whispering Bob Harris' & the legendary Johnnie Walker. Paul Jones has featured them on his Radio 2 blues show, & one of their tracks was was heard as part of the Radio 2 series 'Bright lights,Big city'. Narrated by Bill Wyman, it told the story of British rhythm & blues from the 50's to the present.
The Hamsters have toured with John Otway,Wilko Johnson & Walter Trout. They have also supported those classic British bands Status quo & Wishbone Ash. One of their popular gigs at the Half moon in Putney was under threat of closure, but thanks to the sterling efforts of The Hamsters,pub owners & staff & of course their loyal fans, the brewery has been persuaded to revamp the venue & keep it open.
If you want to know more about the band, check them out at www.thehamsters.co.uk. Better still, go & enjoy their unique brand of 'rodent rock' at a venue near you soon. It's only rock n blues, but you'll like it!
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