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Whoa… I actually had to wait (at least) for 30 minutes to write anything after ‘Whoa’ to let my goose-bumps subside! The first 12 bars of the first song (The Way You Do It) I played on my stereo system were enough to blow my mind.

The paper-weights on my desk are still dancing, riveting on the groovy rhythm. My mind still looks for some signs of conclusion. Still unable to admit, I try to find some info about the band ‘Whoa Mama’, but there isn’t much; except the three released songs. Finally, I contacted my editor and –to my pleasure- I was told that ‘Whoa Mama’ is actually a new band, not some uncut rough diamonds from the 1970’s.

Without getting a peak at their looks or attire, I would dare to guess (and comment) that the band must be living in the 70’s: every single note they play or sing, every rhyme they make, even the tones of their instruments (tuning of the snare on the drums for example) screams loud about the classic blues rock era!

And the three gems of polished songs (available on the YouTube) are enough to tell that the members of ‘Whoa Mama’ know every hit classic rock song by heart. You would find colors of every 70’s hit act in their songs, from Ted Nugent to Tommy Bolin for guitar sounds to Jim Morrison-Janis Joplin-David Coverdale vocal frolics.

The first song I heard ‘The Way You Do It’ is a gut wrenching ballad, with intoxicating and dreamy vocals. It is more like messy love making and frantic day dreaming, packaged in a crazy but lucid flowing vibe. Apart from vocals, I absolutely adore the guitar chops… riffs, sweet phrasing with articulate runs, and an enchanting tone on the top of it.

Song ‘All for Nothing’ is more like an orgy between Jimmy Page (Led Zeppelin) and David Coverdale (White Snake) signature styles and sound. It is a rejuvenating representation of classic blues rock.

The song ‘Bloody Mary’ is drifting somewhere between the giant rockers Black Sabbath and Free. Immense feedback drenched guitar tone, swift and subtle changes in the groove and timing; it is enough to get you drunk without the need to indulge in any other substance.

‘Whoa Mama’ is absolute Rock, absolutely psychedelic…

I am eagerly waiting for more material from this great band.

Imagine a singer/performer carrying around a grand piano or a cello as accompaniment, while he drifts from town to town, singing melodies and narrating great tales of future and past; not a really sexy picture, right?

On the other hand, a guitar has always been a comfy and reliable tool for story-tellers; ‘Shoot the Duke’ is a valid example. Simply put: It’s just two friends playing guitars together, as they pour their hearts out….

Boosted with large guitar sounds, their music slowly gets you moving, as you are drawn in by the groovy rhythms and catchy lyrical ideas. The musicians in this dynamic and nifty entity are: Tommo Bryan and Neil Cripps, both of them are relatively young but immensely talented and mature. Their coherence is evident in their musical taste and in their lyrical concepts, as well.

Like any other folk/pop/acoustic rock outfit ‘Shoot the Duke’ is producing raw, clear, and straightforward vibes; with lots of room for improvisations. Their influences range from Ed Sheeran to Jamie T, Passenger and Johnny Cash. It is clearly evident that they want to keep the old and new inspiration together.

Their first single ‘Top dog’ (released in early 2014) made it to the top five slot and it was also broadcasted on BBC Radio 6 Music.

‘Shoot the Duke’ also won the ‘Change Tracks Battle of the Bands’ in 2014. Shortly after winning the competition they completed and released their four track EP ‘The Blackwell Incident’ and afterwards toured the circuit with fellow folk artists.

Out of the four songs on the EP, ‘Top Dog’ has generated the biggest following. The springy rhythm and well-crafted lyrical poetry reminds one of the late 70’ folk-progressive-rock movements, a bit low key Robert Plant or ELP, if I must say. The song is about simple pleasures of ‘Modesty’, and how to stomach success without losing yourself in the glitter and dime.

The full EP (The Blackwell Incident) can be heard streaming live at: soundcloud.com/shoottheduke

Whoa Mama!

Whoa… I actually had to wait (at least) for 30 minutes to write anything after ‘Whoa’ to let my goose-bumps subside! The first 12 bars of the first song (The Way You Do It) I played on my stereo system were enough to blow my mind.

Shoot The Duke’s “The Blackwell Incident”