10th Anniversary Chicago Show Announced (posted 10 days ago)

On May 22nd 2004 we played our first ever show in the USA, opening for The Greyboy Allstars at the House of Blues in Chicago. At 8pm sharp we shuffled nervously onto the enormous stage, played 45 minutes’ worth of quirky 3-minute instrumental ditties, and shuffled off again, leaving those who had caught the set bewildered but impressed. Somehow, ten years have elapsed since then, during which period we’ve lost count of the number of times we’ve been back in Chicago playing much longer sets to marginally less bewildered audiences.

We invite you to join us on Saturday June 7th 2014, celebrating 10 years in the USA, back at the House of Blues Chicago. Even if you don’t live in Chicago - it’s a great place to visit when it’s not winter.

​Tickets on sale from Wednesday, Feb 26th.

Blast from the Past (posted 23 days ago)

Just found this in the archives from 2002: our live version of “Miss Poopie” by Jimmy McGriff, featuring the late Jason Rae (alto), Atholl Ransome (tenor) and Malcolm Strachan (tpt), aka The Haggis Horns.

Soulful Strut (posted 5 weeks ago)

​Just got hold of this recording of our Jamcruise theatre gig finale, and it’s turned out rather special. Simon and Eddie used to play Soulful Strut on a trio gig in the corner of Arts Cafe in Leeds on Sunday nights in 1997. This version features the sweet sounds of Joe Cohen & Mike Olmos, aka The West Coast Horns. Big thanks to Dave Tash for mixing front of house. The reason Eddie is wearing a kaftan is because it was “Purple Power Night” on Jamcruise and Simon talked him into it. (BTW, if anyone has video of this they should email Simon via the contact page.)

Jamcruise 12 (posted last month)

​Just back from the 12th annual Jamcruise - dazed, dizzy and wobbly. We played two full shows and our musical guests included Ivan Neville (pictured above, playing his dad’s classic song “Hercules” with us), Jans Ingber (Motet), Jennifer Hartswick (TAB), Carly Meyers, Johnny Durkin & Mike Dillon (Mike Dillon Band), Skerik, Allie Kral, Mike Olmos & Joe Cohen (West Coast Sounds) & Corey Henry. We have now gone our 4 separate ways and will reconvene at Borderline in London on Weds April 2nd for the launch of our new album “Therapy”. More details TBA.

Jamcruise (posted 2 months ago)

We’ll be on the happy boat from 4-9 Jan - apparently this year’s is twice the size of the one in the photo (from our first Jamcruise in 2007). Happy New Year everyone!

Dec/Jan Plans (posted 3 months ago)

Thank you, Bear Creek music festival! We had an amazing time for the 7th consecutive year, and long may the tradition continue!

We are very pleased to announce our New Year’s Eve plans - a very special show at the newly-refurbished Joy Theater in New Orleans. Click here for further details, and to buy tickets (on sale from Friday Nov 22nd). After that we play a one-off at Underbelly in Jacksonville, FL on January 2nd which also features two of our favourite US soul-funk-groove bands: Monophonics and Orgone. Get tickets for that here. Then it’s down to Miami for the Jamcruise pre-party on Jan 3rd at Tobacco Road before we climb aboard the Happy Boat on Jan 4th.

We’re currently taking a break for a few weeks but will reconvene at Stage 48 in Manhattan on December 29th to play our own Phish late-night after-show gig, hosted by Equifunk and Nolafunk. Get tickets for that here.