Monday night we at The Mesmerist got treated to a very special night as Stroll on Mondays featured a band that does exactly what it says on the tin. The Blues Explosion are in plain terms a Blues band. But in such a bold explanation lies the beauty of this Brighton based 5 piece. With most modern blues bands you can sometimes get the feeling you are witnessing a group of people wishing to have played music in an era where the blues was most fruitful in its popularity, an era that has spawned so many great blues musicians we sadly only have a few left. However, The Blues explosion harness traditional blues roots whilst managing to add an explosively rocky, foot stomping, eye engaging show that offers a setlist of originals, finely blended with some die hard blues fan covers from Sonny Boy Williamson's 'Checking on my baby' through to the more better known "Little red rooster" by Howlin Wolf. As an audience what we seek from a band is relativity, we want the music, and more often than not the lyrics to communicate something that is relevant to us, to our lives. What better tool then to tell modern day tales that speak volumes about the trials and tribulations of the lives we lead, with a backing section that bolsters guitar, bass, drums, keyboard, harmonica and the gravelly voice of lead singer Edwin Few.
The biggest compliment perhaps this band deserve, is that their original songs have the craft and complexity to fit in with covers on offer. That is largely down to the fact that the covers are performed with originality and expression, lead guitarist Jack Tracy and keyboardist Andy Bligh dual tantalising melodies that constantly keep your eyes and ears on full alert, whilst the vocal work is not that of a man who has spent time imitating others, but that of someone with love of the Blues, love of the songs, and the hand clapping energy to coax the most lethargic of viewer off their seat.
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| Andy Bligh on Keyboard with drummer Matt Steel Teaser Clip The Blues Explosion       The Blues explosion's appearance and popularity is testament to the momentum being gathered over the interest in the music provided by Stroll on Mondays & The Mesmerist, a night of Rock, Mod and Blues this band ensured that everyones vintage needs were lubricated and set the bench mark very high for all bands set to appear here live. The evening lasted well into the early hours of the night and the dance floor was full of movers and shakers. If this sounds like the night for you, what you waiting for? If you think your band has what it takes, then pop down on Monday nights and drop off a demo. Amen. The blues explosion are on myspace at: http://www.myspace.com/thebluesexplosionband |
