The best British Blues Band of 2014 Paul Lamb & The King Snakes are on their way to Kettering Arts Centre – 04/03/17 8pm Start
Saturday 4th March
Tickets £12 in advance – Tickets will be available for purchase on the door £14
Doors open 7:30pm – 8pm
There is no doubting the quality of this five-piece band which was acclaimed “The Best British Blues Band 2014”. Headed by British Blues Awards Hall of Fame inductee Paul Lamb (harmonica/vocals) the set will feature many of songs from Blues Matters magazine’s album of the year 2014, Hole in the Wall.
We all know the stuff that turns up in biographies, is empty and meaningless because it’s all been said before. So, let’s talk plainly about Paul Lamb & The King Snakes, the best blues band in Britain.
It didn’t happen suddenly. It took years of hard work and application, unfashionable words that signify little in these days of instant fame. As Paul can tell you, he and his band have done their individual time, made their mistakes, applied what they’ve learned, focused on their musicianship and the results are passed on to audiences that flock to their gigs. They in turn are guaranteed to enjoy genuine music performed with skill and mutual encouragement. It’s a simple but sure formula.
Right now, the King Snakes are a refreshing mixture of (relative) youth and experience.
The experience starting at the top, for Paul Lamb has spent the last thirty-some years whoopin’ and hollerin’ in clubs in his native North-East plus a later move to London, in concert and on festival stages, creating a personal synthesis of his harmonica heroes and his own unique and innate talent. His history includes representing Britain in the World Harmonica Championships, working with his particular mentor, Sonny Terry, and with any number of other blues artists who’ve visited these shores Over the years Paul Lamb & the King Snakes have won countless awards , sold record breaking quantities of albums and been inducted into the British Blues Awards Hall of Fame alongside the likes of Peter Green & John Mayall.
“Simply better than the opposition from whatever side of the Atlantic they come.” Blues Print Magazine
There’s a deal of experience behind vocalist and rhythm guitarist Chad Strentz, too. He started out as a rockabilly hound, encouraged by the wilder excesses of Gene Vincent, Johnny Burnette and Mac Curtis, with some Elvis and Little Richard in there for extra relish.
But if you want to talk experience, take a long listen to bass player and vocalist Rod Demick. He formed his first group, the Vibros, when he was eleven and later graduated to Wheels, the only R&B competition in Belfast for Van Morrison and Them.
The youngest member is Ryan “Junior” Lamb. Having the legendary harmonica player, Mr Paul Lamb, as his father, you could say he was born to play the blues. However make no mistake – it’s because of his outstanding guitar talent, rather than nepotism, that landed Junior the job of lead guitarist in the King Snakes in 2007.
Dino Coccia was the King Snakes drummer in 1991 & now back in the drum seat coming full circle. He is a talented musician who brings to the band a strong foundation that allows for the instrumental and vocal expression that the band attains.
“Sounds as American and black as Brits dare.” Melody Maker Magazine
Life constantly renews itself. With a new album out now “The Games People Play” on Secret Records… Paul Lamb and the King Snakes are beginning a new chapter in their ongoing history. New challenges will present themselves and new achievements will strengthen and broaden their appeal to audiences that can distinguish between the manufactured and the real.
With a wonderful, equilibrium of real blues, boogie, swing & a good time jump, be sure to catch Paul Lamb & the King Snakes blowing up a storm, somewhere near you… Continue reading…
Tickets for this and other events are available from Waterstones, High Street, Kettering. By post including an SAE to Jaime Ferreira at Flat 1, 15 Havelock St, Kettering NN16 9PZ (cheques made payable to “PCC of St Andrew’s Kettering”).
You may also buy tickets by emailing office@ketteringartscentre.com or online at We Got Tickets (subject to a booking fee) or call 07759765824 if you prefer to pay by card. All major credit cards accepted (subject to a booking fee).
