FRIDAY
SETH LAKEMAN
Multi award-winning folk singer Seth Lakeman releases his new album ‘A Pilgrim’s Tale’ on February 7th 2020, in a year that marks four centuries since The Mayflower ship departed the UK. Seth was raised and still lives on Dartmoor, within sight of the sea at Plymouth, from where the Puritans sailed on the Mayflower in 1620.
The album, which tells the epic and soulful tale of the Pilgrim Fathers, features contributions from bass player Ben Nicholls, Seth’s sister-in-law Cara Dillon, dad Geoff Lakeman, folk musician Benji Kirkpatrick and is narrated by actor Paul McGann.
Charismatic singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Seth Lakeman has been touring around the world for the last 2 years with rock legend Robert Plant, playing as part of his band The Sensational Space Shifters as well as playing shows with his own band and solo.
After touring ‘A Pilgrim’s Tale’ in February 2020, Seth will be at festivals through the Summer playing songs from throughout his back catalogue including from the Mercury Prize nominated ‘Kitty Jay’ (recorded in his kitchen for £300) and the follow-up gold selling ‘Freedom Fields’.
STRAWBS acoustic
The Strawbs started life as the Strawberry Hill Boys before emerging into the mainstream from the exciting British Folk Movement of the mid 60s alongside other such luminaries as Fairport Convention, Pentangle, Al Stewart and Roy Harper. Their first album with Sandy Denny attracted the attention of A&M Records in America and they became the first British Band to be signed by the famous label. Under the guidance of Herb Alpert & Gerry Moss, major chart success followed with seven consecutive albums in the Billboard charts, including classics ‘Bursting at the Seams’, ‘Grave New World’, ‘Hero & Heroine’, ‘Dragonfly’ and ‘Ghosts’, earning the band two Gold Albums along the way. Massive coast to coast American tours swiftly followed, sharing the stage with The Eagles, Santana and Frank Zappa.
From the days of Sandy Denny pre Fairport and Sonja Kristina pre Curved Air, the band have enjoyed the finest of soloists in their ranks from Rick Wakeman followed by his son Oliver moving on to join Yes as well as Adam Wakeman joining Black Sabbath, Blue Weaver to The Bee Gees and Don Airey to Deep Purple.
The Acoustic Strawbs of the 21st century consist of the founder, constant guiding force, originator and lead vocalist Dave Cousins, described by Rolling Stone Magazine as the best Dylan influenced songwriter to come out of the UK. Alongside him longtime band members lead guitarist Dave Lambert and the astonishingly versatile Chas Cronk, who together formed the front line of the classic 1970s Strawbs.
“The songwriting was phenomenal, and the way the trio embellished sublime melodies with supreme harmonies and incredible instrumentation made their performance unforgettable. In fact, I repeatedly thought “music just isn’t this good anymore” (Philadelphia Examiner)
“Hearing the brilliant Strawbs was like a tutorial in UK folk music from the past 40 years”. (Edmonton Sun)
“Never to rest on their laurels, this excellent band continue to produce classic tracks and spectacular live performances”. (Q Magazine)
“Dave Cousins shows himself as a brilliant and original songwriter”. (Classic Rock)
KINDRED SPIRIT BAND
The five-piece, Kindred Spirit Band has a completely unique take on the Prog Folk Rock genre, weaving thrilling electric violin and flute / sax with “perceptive and intriguing” song-writing, driving rhythms and "haunting and bewitching" female vocals. Combined with Elaine's expansive, scientific edged concepts and “perceptive and intriguing” lyrics, their sound has been likened to “Curved Air”, “Fleetwood Mac” and the “Moody Blues”.
Elaine Samuels, former electronic engineer and the band's founder and driving force, began performing solo in folk clubs at the age of only 13, getting a mention in the local press after her first spot in public as “one to watch”!
"Elaine has a voice which can be both hauntingly beautiful & deeply emotional, coupled with a powerful stage presence. Her material ranges from folk through to blues, but it is her rich repertoire of perceptive, intriguing self-penned songs combined with her guitar work which sets her apart”.
Rosie Upton, Bath Evening Chronicle
In the late 1990s, she evolved the full Kindred Spirit Band, notably performing at Guildford and Glastonbury Festivals and Liverpool's famous Cavern Club. Acclaim for their previous album, “Phoenix Rising”, led to international album distribution and a feature in Prog Magazine.
“Folk rock meets classical with a scientific edge”
Rachel Mann, Prog Magazine
The Kindred Spirit Band line-up features classically trained Catherine Cooper, playing flute and saxophone, who also has a most beautiful voice. Martin Ash is not only an exceptional and classically trained player, on violin and viola, but also plays folk and country equally as well as rock riffs with an overdrive pedal. He has a flair for improvisation, getting completely immersed in the music and, during wild solos, will launch himself and his wireless electric violin, to their delight, amongst the audience! Mike Hislop plays driving bass guitar and excellent drummer Aleem Saleh underpins this unique sound.
The band launched their latest album, “Elemental”.in November 2019. It deals with topics including the apocalypse, miracles, overpopulation, alchemy, escaping daemons and Viking invasion! All of these songs have Elaine's perceptive and often intriguing touch! The first song on the album, “No Smoke Without Fire” won a song-writing competition in March 2019 and the title track, “The Alchemyst” was featured on the cover mount CD of the September 2019, issue 102 of Prog Magazine.
Find out more about the Kindred Spirit Band at http://www.kindredspiritband.co.uk.
KRANKSCHAFT
A very welcome return to a fantastic band that graced the very first A New Day Festival back in 2016, providing their unique mix of "punky space krautrock"... we couldn't have put it better ourselves!
STEViE SIMPSON
One Bloke, One Mandolin
Billed as STEViE SIMPSON – One Bloke One Mandolin, Stevie Simpson has been playing regularly at motorcycle rallies and festivals all over the UK since 2000 receiving some great reviews and picking up new fans at every gig.
STEViE has released six studio albums: ‘…. a little further down the line’, ‘Too Poor For Trailer Trash’, ‘Ride’ ‘Garage Songs’, ‘Some Days Are Diamonds’ and ‘Fair Travels & Fine Times’ released in September 2017, between them containing seventy-three original recordings. In 2013 he put out a live CD, recorded at The Assembly Rooms in Derby when supporting Simon Friend’s Seismic Survey.
‘…. a little further down the line’ is STEViE’s Nebraska – Blue, Back Street Heros custom bike magazine
He has headlined at The Clarence Park Free Music Festival and appeared at The Acoustic Festival Of Britain, The Bulldog Bash, Americana, Weyfest, Beautiful Days, Off The Tracks, Watchet, Wickham Festival, Bearded Theory, Blissfields, Something Else In The Dean, Westport’s Folk & Bluegrass Festival in Ireland, Pullman City Country Music Festival in Bavaria, Germany and the Akaciju aleja bard festival near Kaunas in Lithuania along with many gigs around the UK and Germany.
For a good few years he has, amongst many gigs, regularly played/compered marquees for the National Association for Bikers with Disabilities (NABD) at their rallies and became a patron of the NABD in 2010.
‘Probably the hardest working musician on the biker circuit’ – Rick Hulse, Chairman of the NABD
He has shared billing with Status Quo, Jethro Tull, Dave Edmunds, Dr Feelgood, Kathy Mattea, The Levellers, Breed 77, The Answer, The Damned, Fun Loving Criminals, Wilko Johnson, Hawkwind, Asleep At The Wheel and John Otway, The Stranglers, Leatherat, Dumpy’s Rusty Nuts, The Bad Shepherds, Focus and Ricky Warwick to name but some.
FLUTATIOUS
Flutatious are a feisty, Celtic-inspired, psy-folk band blending soaring melodic flute, flying fiddle, spacey guitars and groovy beats! They have built up an incredible reputation with their live performances and their (until now) self-produced albums are constantly in demand at festivals around the country.
Flutatious came to the attention of the Magick Eye Records label when company founder, Chris Hillman, saw them playing a storming set at one of their festival appearances. Magick Eye released the four track Flutatious EP Fluctuations to great acclaim. The EP included a remix from another Magick Eye label act, the legendary Astralasia.
Due to the positive reactions to the EP release, Magick Eye arranged for Flutatious to record a brand new album with renowned producer John Mitchell in his Outhouse Recording Studio.
The album called Festival, is now available at Magick Eye Records.
Following the release Flutatious are on the road debuting their new music for your pleasure!
The band would like to thank everyone who has danced and contributed to such an amazing ten years. It has been said that ‘Flutatious will have you dancing like a paper bag in a wind tunnel…’
MICHELLE DEVONSHIRE…classically trained flautist.
BILL FORWELL…untrained upside down bass guitarist.
STELLA FERGUSON…violin player extraordinaire.
ANDY FAULKNER…Mr. subtle guitar.
MALCOLM BAILEY…bangs pots and pans and skins and things.
SATURDAY
John Lees' BARCLAY JAMES HARVEST
John Lees and Stuart "Woolly" Wolstenholme were founder members of Barclay James Harvest, the melodic rock band with classical leanings which emerged from Oldham in the late sixties. Their relationship endured through nine studio albums and two live doubles, the period of BJH's history which most fans regard as their most creative and productive, and their musical collaborations included such classics as "Mocking Bird", "Galadriel", "Child Of The Universe" and "Hymn". John stayed with BJH after Woolly left in 1979, and it would be nearly twenty years before the guitar and keyboard legends would work together again.
When it was announced in March 1998 that Barclay James Harvest would be taking a sabbatical, it was effectively the end of the original band. Henceforth the members of the band would be pursuing solo projects, albeit using variations of the Barclay James Harvest name. John renewed his musical friendship with Woolly, and they began work together with bassist Craig Fletcher and drummer Kevin Whitehead under the name Barclay James Harvest Through The Eyes Of John Lees. This line-up recorded an album of half new songs, half re-recordings of BJH classics, entitled Nexus, which was released by Eagle Records in February 1999. A tour of Germany and Switzerland followed and was recorded for the Revival - Live 1999 CD which appeared in March 2000, after which there were more concerts in Germany and Greece, plus the first concerts in England by any of the band members since 1992.
John and Woolly started work on a second studio album, with the working title North, but following the sudden death of his manager, David Walker, John didn't feel ready to make an album at that time and it was shelved. Woolly turned his attention to solo work, producing two studio albums and a live set between 2003 and 2005. By March 2005, John was ready to resume his musical endeavours, and an announcement was made to the effect that future live and studio work in collaboration with Woolly was planned, under the new name John Lees' Barclay James Harvest.
The first full UK tour by any members of Barclay James Harvest since 1992 took place in late 2006, and was a great success. The London show at the Shepherds Bush Empire was filmed and released in November 2007 as a DVD and CD entitled Legacy. 2009 saw increasing activity from the band, with live shows in the U.S.A., Portugal, Germany, Switzerland, Holland and Belgium, plus another UK tour, and the work rate continued into 2010 with songs being written for a new studio album, plus a summer festival appearance in Portugal at the Douro Rock and Blues Festival. It would prove to be Woolly's final live appearance. A recurrence of a severe depressive condition meant that he was unable to participate in a series of concerts with John Lees' Barclay James Harvest in November and December 2010, and on 13th December, tragically, he was found dead at his home.
After some deliberation at a sold out tribute concert to Woolly at Buxton Opera House in February 2011, John Lees announced that he intended to continue with the group as a a four-piece, in part to keep the musical legacy of Woolly Wolstenholme alive. Subsequently the band made a series of headline festival appearances in Germany, Switzerland, France (with Status Quo) and the UK, including a headline spot at the prestigious High Voltage Festival in London. 2012 saw JLBJH make the first ever appearances by any form of BJH in Japan, followed by UK dates and a Spring 2013 tour in The Netherlands and Germany. In October 2013 the band released North, an album of all-new material, acclaimed by critics and fans alike as the best work to be released under the BJH banner for many a year. John Lees' Barclay James Harvest continue to delight concert audiences in Britain and Europe, and recently celebrated the fiftieth anniversary of the release of Barclay James Harvest's first ever record with a rapturously received event in Manchester. The band are currently working on a brand new studio album.
The story goes on ... Keith and Monika Domone, 2018
The CRAZY WORLD OF ARTHUR BROWN
THE CRAZY WORLD OF ARTHUR BROWN
Arthur Brown first came to prominence in swinging London in 1967, after spending some time on the Paris underground scene Arthur was quickly signed to Track Records at the instruction of The Who’s Pete Townshend and released the single Devils Grip, regarded by some as the record that gave the birth of Heavy Metal.
Arthur is best thought of for his 1968 Number one single Fire that still gets regular airplay all over the world and has been covered by the likes of Ozzy Osbourne, Die Krupps, The Prodigy and The Who.
Arthur's next band Kingdom Come performed as the main act at the first filmed Glastonbury Festival in 1971 and in 1973 Kingdome Come was the first band to release an album using a Drum Machine.
Artists such as Peter Gabriel, Alice Cooper and Bruce Dickenson site Arthur Brown
as a major influence on them and in this Arthur's fifth decade in music the fire is far from out.
Arthur's most recent album Voices Of Love had major critical acclaim and Arthur received the Classic Rock magazine showman of the year award.
He stole the show with his early afternoon performance at A New Day in 2018 and we are thrilled to welcome him back in 2020.
FOCUS
With their unique brand of progressive rock, Focus manifested themselves at the start of the '70s as the most successful and appreciated of all the Dutch pop-rock exports. Fronted by founding member Thijs Van Leer, and best known for their hits “Hocus Pocus”, “House of The King” and “Sylvia”, as well as critically acclaimed albums 'Moving Waves', 'Focus 3' and 'Hamburger Concerto', the iconic Dutch music masters are back with their tenth album, which is guaranteed to please their legions of fans!
After a comeback in the early 2000's, which resulted in the well-received albums 'Focus 8' and 'Focus 9', the band regrouped with a fantastic new line-up. Along with Thijs van Leer on vocals, flute and keyboards, back on the drums is famed Focus drummer Pierre van der Linden, who joined the group on their second album 'Moving Waves' in 1972. Internationally renowned for his rhythmic skills, Pierre remains a defining factor in the Focus sound. Guitarist Menno Gootjes, who participated in Focus at an earlier stage, and acclaimed bass player Udo Pannekeet, complete the band's current line-up. Recently, Focus's biggest hit "Hocus Pocus" was used in a 4-minute Nike commercial before the World Cup broadcast. Focus music can be regularly heard on Top Gear and Saxondale on TV in the UK.
A new Focus era has arrived! There is a rejuvenated passion amongst the band as celebrates its 50th Anniversary.
FLOR DE LOTO
FLOR DE LOTO: A GALE OF FOLKLORE AND ROCK & ROLL
"Flor de Loto is what would have happened if Iron Maiden met Jethro Tull in the ruins of Machu Picchu" (Roy Z - Guitarist and producer of Bruce Dickinson (Iron Maiden), Rob Halford (Judas Priest), Tribe of gypsies, etc.)
Flor de Loto is a band that fuses styles such as PROGRESSIVE ROCK and HEAVY METAL with Andean Peruvian FOLKLORE. Experimenting with this genres has led them, for more than 20 years of life, to produce 10 albums and perform successfully in countless concerts and festivals inside and outside Peru.
The band presents an intense and fluid show, in which they actively interacts with the audience and surprises them, thanks to the perfect romance between the strength of electric guitars and the beauty of Andean instruments.
EDgar broughton
Edgar Broughton singer songwriter and guitarist was a founder member of the Edgar Broughton Band in the 60s. The EBB would soon become the flag waving agit rockers of the late 60s/early 70s hippie movement. They were one of the first proponents of free concerts.
The band was a formidable live draw propelled by a heavy psychedelic blues sound and Edgar’s phenomenal if untutored singing. And what a voice – not only did this guy have a name like a fire and brimstone preacher he sounded like one. All of Broughton`s albums were filled with full-on sonic attacks that took no prisoners. They also contained some truly thoughtful and beautiful music of great originality.
Edgar is well known as one of the most strident protest singers, but at times one of the most accessible – with a surprisingly diverse repertoire of self-penned material. With seven studio albums, two live albums and many compilations under his belt he has toured extensively since 1968.
Once described as a proto – punk, his music is firmly rooted in the blues and tinged with echoes of European folk music. His involvement with political activism has continued down the years and many of his songs reflect this.
His solo, acoustic performance is an emotive, entertaining tour de force containing both old favourites and new songs from the heart.
OSIBISA
VAMBO
Vambo’s inspiration stems back to the hard rock of the 70s, at the same time they remain contemporary in both songwriting and recording.
Vambo are – Jack Stiles, vocals, a compelling stage presence with an undeniable centre stage magnetism and a powerhouse voice and range to match. Pete Lance, guitar, a captivating performer coupled with outstanding, natural guitar playing skills. Steve Price, drums, a superb technician and the driving force behind the power and the subtleties that are Vambo trademarks. James Scott, bass, an outstanding musician, his fluid and imaginative bass lines underpin every vambo performance adding energy, quality and depth.
Their material is organic, dynamic and overflowing with raw energy and power reflecting the outstanding musicality within the band. Great, original rock music performed by 4 musicians of the highest calibre.
"Pure class" - Classic Rock
"The second coming of rock" - Kerrang
"Infectious melodies" - Planet Rock
CUPRUM
The band Cuprum formed in 2007. Its sound is deeply rooted in the 70ies progressive-rock, but mingled in it are alternative guitar tunings of the folk-rock acoustic guitar, blues guitar and art-rock flute reminiscent of Jethro Tull and Traffic, the arch-instrument of psychedelic rock, the Hammond organ, and the thundering sound of toms the likes of which were typical for the whole generation of drummers like Keith Moon, Ginger Baker and Barrymore Barlow. Among the main influences are Iron Butterfly, Jethro Tull and Caravan – and of course the Czech legend „Kuře v Hodinkách“. Yet Cuprum is never a parody and never a pretentious imitation: their time may be decades after the style flourished but their place is beside, not behind, the bands of the early 70ties – a fresh and green shoot of a now mostly withered tree. Cuprum produce their own material: songs with lyrics moody and haunting, or bawdy and tongue-in-the-cheek, and lush and dramatic instrumentals that allow the members to release their musical demons with abandon.
The True Deceivers have been developing their own blend of rootsy folk rock/Americana since their formation in 2003.
Since then they have played hundreds of gigs across the UK becoming regulars at festivals including Guilfest, Weyfest, Watchet, A New Day Festival and Bearded Theory. During this time they have shared stages with the likes of The Stranglers, The Wonderstuff, Oysterband, Seth Lakeman, Three Daft Monkeys, Neville Staple, Dreadzone, Kate Rusby, Steve Harley & Cockney Rebel, and Hank Wangford. 2018 has seen the band back in the studio recording the long-awaited follow up to the band’s second album, Hell or High Water, which was well received back in 2012: fRoots Magazine - Rootsy rock chooglin’ away in a gutsy backbeat. Time To Mend A Broken Heart and Wishing My Life Away really move. Net Rhythms - Guitar chiming roots rock. R2 Magazine - These guys enjoy playing the music they love.
SUNDAY
STEVE HARLEY & COCKNEY REBEL
We are absolutely thrilled to welcome Steve Harley and his band COCKNEY REBEL to A New Day. The remarkable string of classic hits, most notably the constantly played "Come Up A See Me - Make Me Smile", is sure to bring the festival to a memorable climax.
MUNGO JERRY
The song most associated with MUNGO JERRY is the global hit IN THE SUMMERTIME, it sold over six million copies worldwide in the first six months of release and that total is now estimated to be over a staggering thirty million units, and it is now officially recognised as the most played summer song of all time. Winning for itself and its writer RAY DORSET, prestigious Sony / ATV and Ivor Novello awards. It is the biggest hit in an incredible list of hits throughout the 70’s.
In describing the music of MUNGO JERRY as pure pop would be an insult to the varying styles of rock, blues, boogie and skiffle that has graced the stages of concerts and festivals which have seen MUNGO JERRY sharing and indeed at times topping the bill with the likes of JIMI HENDRIX, ELTON JOHN, ROD STEWART & THE FACES, GENESIS, STATUS QUO, CANNED HEAT, FREE and JETHRO TULL.
Instead of simply resting on his laurels and living off the success of the world's biggest selling Summer song In The Summertime. Ray Dorset aka Mungo Jerry has in this new millennium maintained his reputation as the King of the Groove by releasing some of his best and strongest work and Mungo Jerry's live stage performance has been much acclaimed at Blues, Jazz and Rock Festivals throughout the world.
They were one of the highlights of A New Day last year and we are thrilled to welcome them back.
THE BLOCKHEADS
The initial line-up of our band comprised: Ian Dury (vocals), Chaz Jankel (guitar/keyboards), John Turnbull (guitar), Mickey Gallagher (keyboards), Davey Payne (saxophone), Charley Charles (drums) and Norman Watt-Roy (bass). Stiff Records signed Ian in 1977 and his first single (co-written with Chaz), "Sex & Drugs & Rock 'n' Roll, became our signature tune at every gig. New Boots And Panties the classic album which featured Chaz, Norman and Charley, received superlative reviews and spent more than a year in the UK album chart. Ians' dry wit, sensitivity and brilliant lyrical caricatures were evident in songs such as "Clevor Trever", "Billericay Dickie", "Wake Up And Make Love To Me", the beautifully poignant "My Old Man" and the tribute song "Sweet Gene Vincent".
We became front-page tabloid news and briefly crossed over from critical acclaim to worldwide commercial acceptance with our UK number 1 "Hit Me With Your Rhythm Stick" in December 1979. The following album Do It Yourself was similarly inspired, although lacked the impact of the debut, and by our third album Laughter we had teamed up with ex-Dr. Feelgood guitarist Wilko Johnson and lost the co-writing partnership of Chaz. We broke up soon after this.
Ian developed bowel cancer in 1996, but responded well to chemotherapy. He was well enough to travel to third world countries as UNICEF's goodwill ambassador. The cancer returned with a vengeance at the end of 1997 after we had recorded (the warmly-received) Mr. Love Pants and Ian reunited with us in 1998 (now with Gilad Atzmon on Sax taking over from Davey who has been a family man in Cornwall since 1997) and Dylan Howe (on drums - taking over from Stephen Monti who had so finely filled the drum chair for most of the 90's from Charley who very sadly passed away due to cancer in 1990 and is greatly missed by us all) Although very unwell Ian continued to make live appearances with us and was seen and heard discussing his illness throughout this time, he even found time to finish his swansong with us in the shape of Ten More Turnips From The Tip right until a month before his death in March 2000.
Ian was an amazing character and a man of many different talents. The way he dealt with his terminal illness was remarkable, but ultimately he will be remembered for the cockney rhyming slang and humour of the highly original catalogue of songs we share with him...
We could go on about how Robbie Williams recorded with us and how Charlie, Mick, Norman and John played on Relax (perhaps even helping to write that very famous Frankie Goes To Hollywood track with Trevor Horn) but we won't!
INGLORIOUS
INGLORIOUS
Inglorious are five young men with a mutual love and respect of the classics of Hard Rock music, big guitar riffs, and soulful vocals. Their influences stem from iconic rock and roll shrine of Rock albums from the 1970s – many years before the band members were born.
The same albums that have inspired generations of musicians and performers are noticeably evident when you listen to the Inglorious debut album. This is the music they were born to play together - inspired by bands in the classic rock genre as diverse as Deep Purple, Led Zeppelin, Whitesnake, Bad Company, Aerosmith, the Rolling Stones, to name a few.
Formed in February 2014, the band is fronted by Nathan James, who made a name for himself having sung for the multi-platinum selling Trans-Siberian Orchestra, and Scorpions guitar legend Uli Jon Roth. Nathan was looking for like-minded musicians that desired to make incredible rock music in a very honest fashion.
Inglorious is composed of the inimitable frontman Nathan James, guitarist Danny Dela Cruz who partners Dan Stevens in an Inglorious dual axe attack, renowned Brazilian bassist Vinnie Colla, and drummer Phil Beaver (who was once signed to Mick Fleetwood’s label while still at school) A line-up that heralds a brand new era for the rising British stars.
The debut album attracted a lot of great press and praise. Queens Brian May said “You guys really do look like a potent young Deep Purple but with a new slant - very Classic! And the musicianship is stunning. Amazing vocals, by the way!”
The follow up album was released on May the 12th and made the UK official midweek top ten and hit number one in the official UK rock chart. Mixed by the legendary Kevin Shirley who has worked with the likes of Iron Maiden, Aerosmith, Led Zeppelin, Joe Bonamassa and Black Stone Cherry to name a few. Kevin said " This is the best British band since, well I could say the Darkness but I really mean Led Zeppelin, amazing singer, amazing band.
PRAYING MANTIS
PRAYING MANTIS
Originally formed in 1973 by the Troy brothers, Tino and Chris, Praying Mantis became one of THE most influential bands of the New Wave of British Heavy Metal (NWOBHM). The band is also one of a very small number of bands from that era to have remained a going concern over the intervening years, and to still record and appear live regularly.
The band first came to prominence in the UK through the championing of grass-roots fans and rock DJs, most notably perhaps by Neal Kay at the semi-legendary Bandwagon Rock Disco in North-West London. Mantis appeared alongside Iron Maiden and other seminal NWOBHM bands on the landmark release, “Metal for Muthas”, in early 1980, and went on to tour extensively with Iron Maiden, doing over 100 shows with them in the early years.
The debut Praying Mantis album, “Time Tells No Lies” (Arista) was released in 1981 to critical acclaim, and it remains a significant NWOBHM recording. On-going problems with record labels and management led to the band all-but disappearing from public view. Following a short-lived reformation of most of the original line-up of Praying Mantis in 1987, the band went back on hiatus until offered the chance to play in Japan with ex-Iron Maiden members Paul Di’Anno and Dennis Stratton in 1990. This experience injected new life into the band, and also marked the beginning of a productive 15 year partnership with Dennis Stratton. The band’s second official studio album, “Predator in Disguise” was released in 1991, and the band have continued to write and release new material every two to three years ever since, with a shifting line-up which has featured the likes of Doogie White, Gary Barden, Bernie Shaw, Bruce Bisland, Mike Freeland, Gary Mackenzie and many other figures from the cream of Britain’s rock fraternity.
To mark the 30th anniversary since the release of “Time Tells No Lies”, the band re-recorded 5 tracks from their early years as a commemorative EP, “Metalmorphosis”, in early 2011 – classic tracks given a contemporary make-over. The band couldn’t have anticipated the incredible response to this release – it’s been almost impossible to find anything other than rave reviews! The past couple of years have also seen the band take to stages across Europe as well as visit Japan (where they still have a fanatically strong following).
The Troy brothers, along with guitarist Andy Burgess and newest recruits, John 'Jaycee' Cuijpers on vocals and Hans In T' Zandt on drums & vocals, remain committed to the blend of melody and power in their music that has become a trademark of the Praying Mantis sound, and, some three decades after forming, the band is still completely dedicated to entertaining a seemingly ever-growing army of fans across the globe.
MYTHRA
MYTHRA
MYTHRA are one of the most mystical British Heavy Metal bands, and their recent reunion was a major event for many NWoBHM (New Wave Of British Heavy Metal) fans around the globe. Their name is as respected as names of acts such as DIAMOND HEAD, PRAYING MANTIS or ANGEL WITCH, and their legendary debut EP from 1979, titled "The Death And Destiny", has cult status comparable to IRON MAIDEN and their "The Soundhouse Tapes". The band
disappeared in 1981, but managed to leave great legacy, which inspired and still inspire Metal bands all over the world, and it's no big secret that even members of METALLICA used to list MYTHRA as one of their favorite acts.
Reformed in 2014, they are still burning!
BIG RIVER
BIG RIVER
Big River are a melting pot of varied influences that can be best described as “Alternative Blues”. This creates a distinctive sound which has heard the band being given the title of “The new Bad Company” by a number of people who’ve seen them play. Heavy, powerful, melodic and raw, they can make you pump your fist in the air one minute, sing along the next or hear a pin drop the next.
They are a team of established musicians with a shared passion for the music they create. Big River started life in 2016 as a Blues Rock covers band. They played all over Kent in pubs and clubs gaining a solid reputation. It wasn’t long before the guys knew they could write a catchy tune or two. This lead them to move away from the pub circuit and receive global radio play of their single “Hometown Hustler” which to this day remains an audience favourite. Successful appearances at Cambridge Rock Festival, Blues On The Farm and Camden Underworld followed and the band attracted attention from the likes of Dave “Bucket” Colwell (Bad Co / Humble Pie), Laurence Archer (Grand Slam / UFO) and Leona Graham (Absolute Radio).
Late 2018 saw the addition of a new vocalist and the band has recently released a new album.
COLLATERAL
Ripped jeans, cowboy boots, long hair and make-up, Collateral are a band that look and sound like a stadium rock band. When the band started out, they were known as the Angelo Tristan Band, with front man Angelo and bass player Jack forming the nucleus of the band. Since then, almost 5 years ago, they have worked tirelessly to grow the act, the fanbase and the bands profile.
In true rock and roll style, the ride hasn't been easy for this four-piece, but their sheer grit and determination have seen them overcome obstacles and go from strength to strength. The past few years have been no exception, but, with the recent addition of new members Todd Winger (guitar) and Ben Atkinson (drums) and the release in May 2018 of their debut single 'Midnight Queen', this band have really stepped up their game and are now starting to attract the attention they deserve.