The Wildcards

The Wildcards Biography 2010 Arguably, the most original and exciting British Blues & Roots band of recent years. The Wildcards have a widespread and growing following, built from constant touring and appearing at many of the biggest and most prestigious venues and festivals on the European Blues circuit. With three critically acclaimed albums under their belt the band may now be poised on the edge of real acclaim. The Wildcards strength lies in the very real, jaw-dropping, intense, high energy live performances given at every show by vocalist and guitarist Vince Lee, guitarist Martin Vowles, bass player Al Wallis and drummer Kevin Crowe. "The Wildcards are fronted by the explosive Vince Lee, who puts out more energy than Sizewell-B Power Station, they defy pigeon-holing. 'Rocka-punkabilly-power-swing-blues, devilish, filthy, passionate!' Throw in a world-class band, and what have you got? Barely restrained insanity and deeply wonderful music" Ashburton Blues Festival, UK The Wildcards were formed in 2003, a coming together of four talented and experienced South Devon musicians who had previously toured in over 20 countries with the widely popular bands The Nightporters and Vince Lee’s Big Combo. Heavily immersed in obscure blues, jazz, rockabilly, ska, punk and musical weirdness, The Wildcards have distilled their sound into a spicy, dark, delicious gumbo that they really can call their own. Blues In Britain magazine called it “Musical mayhem worthy of Screaming Jay Hawkins or Louis Jordan…yes, it’s that good!” Since they first hit the live scene in 2004 The Wildcards have played hundreds of shows in the U.K., Germany, Holland, Belgium, France, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Finland & Luxembourg. In 2008 they were personally invited to warm up the crowds on the European leg of the tour by the legendary American blues act The Fabulous Thunderbirds. Main stage festival appearances include: The Great British Rhythm & Blues Festival - UK, The Burnley Blues Festival - UK, Blues On The Farm - UK, Moulin Blues Festival - Holland, Amal Blues Festival - Sweden, Tunturiblues Festival - Lapland, Weyfest - UK, Scandinavian Blues Party - Finland, Ashburton Blues Festival - UK, Jeppis Blues Festival - Finland, (Ge)Varenwinkel Blues & Roots Festival - Belgium, Bethune Retro Festival - France, Night Of The Blues Festival - Belgium, Botlek Blues Festival - Holland, Breda Jazz Festival - Holland, Dragon Blues Festival - UK, Stompin' Festival - Holland During February / March 2010 the band undertook a major tour of nine European countries to coincide with the release of their third album “When The Moon Shines Bright”. The album has picked up some amazing reviews, a healthy amount of radio airplay and a nomination in the 2010 British Blues Awards for Best Album. The Wildcards have also released two other critically acclaimed studio albums – On Fire (2004) and Raising Hell (2007) and recorded live sessions for BBC Radio 2. Both albums showcase the band’s fascinating, original approach to blues-tinged roots music, with entertaining lyrics and amazingly accomplished tunes. The albums have picked up lots of airplay from Helsinki to California and featured high in the reader polls of respected roots magazines. The Wildcards were nominated in six categories in The 2010 British Blues Awards. These awards were voted for by the public, signalling that the band are now gaining national and international recognition for their music and live shows. The Wildcards were nominated in the following categories: The Wildcards - Nominated for Best Band When The Moon Shines Bright - Nominated for Best Album Vince Lee - Nominated for Best Male Vocalist Vince Lee - Nominated for Best Guitarist Al Wallis - Nominated for Best Bass Player Kevin Crowe - Nominated for Best Drummer Recent Press "There’s been a lot of writing about the new generation of blues musicians that have the fire and passion that older musicians lack. These guys don’t look like 20 somethings to me but the devilish energy drips from my speakers, the music is that filthy and passionate. This is already one of the best releases of 2010". www.bluesforum.com, Netherlands “..It’s all there: deep blues, swing, New Orleans rumba-style backbone-wobblers, savage rock-a-billy, plus any other hip style from the last seventy years you care to mention. But this is no reverent heritage band – they have the originality of a new Stones or Led Zep and the attack of early Dr Feelgood, along with better taste and musicianship than any of those bands. I really can’t recommend them highly enough" Blues Matters Magazine, UK “This is one damn fine band who are one of the most exciting live acts around in any genre”. Plymouth Evening Herald, UK “Rocka-punkabilly-power-swing-blues!” Jefferson magazine, Denmark “The Wildcards cannot be put in a hole! Blues, rhythm & blues, jazz, rock, rockabilly, jump, big band, punk are just some of their influences. Pour all ingredients in a shaker, firmly shake and mix well and the result is the delicious Wildcards sound, raw, to the point, irresistible, amazing, but perfectly timed. Played with an 'it's only rock & roll' attitude, but with much skill and ingenuity”. Rootsville e-zine, Belgium "...This is a band with the individual skills and collective creativity to take blues / roots music to a new higher level. There isn't a better backline in Britain and you'll not hear better guitar interplay than that achieved by Martin and Vince, a great platform for the latter to show his world-class playing and singing. I think of The Wildcards as a fusion of the best of American and British styles: a robust blend of West-Coast rhythms, Mississippi deep blues, cool jazz and that heady Gene Vincent rockabilly thing. It's not only artistically satisfying, it's pretty darned exciting to listen to!" Blues In Britain magazine, UK Line-up Vince Lee - Lead vocals & guitar Martin Vowles - Guitar & backing vocals Al Wallis - Bass & backing vocals Kevin Crowe - Drums & backing vocals Discography On Fire! (2004) Raising Hell (2007) When The Moon Shines Bright (2010) Contact Post: PO Box 492. Torquay, Devon, TQ1 9EB, United Kingdom Website: www.wildcardsweb.com Myspace: www.myspace.com/wildcardsmusic Facebook: www.facebook.com/pages/The-Wildcards/114157678594495 email: info@wildcardsweb.com Bookings Email: martin@wildcardsweb.com The New Album - When The Moon Shines Bright