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Thursday 22nd September: MEMO GONZALES & THE BLUESCASTERS at The Bullfrog
Blues Club, South Parade Pier.
In the last five years Memo Gonzalez & The Bluescasters have become one of
the most popular bands on the European blues circuit. They headlined the
"Blues At The Abbey Festival" in Titchfield this year, performing a storming gig
in front of nearly 2,000 people. The following day they doubled their
audience when they headlined the main stage at the Respect Multicultural Festival
in Willesden, North London
Based in Germany,Memo Gonzalez & The Bluescasters present a rip-roaring
mixture of blues, swing, and rock 'n' roll. Their collaboration started in 1995
and resulted in numerous international appearances and three CDs. "Big Time
In Big D", was recorded in Texas with guest appearances by Anson Funderburgh,
Mike Morgan and Johnny Moeller.
Though Memo Gonzalez & The Bluescasters have great respect for the blues as
an institution, as a group they're firmly rooted in the present. "We want to
be a band that's happening right now" says Memo
Memo Gonzalez, from Dallas, Texas, has played clubs such as "B.B. King's"
in Memphis, Tennessee, and "Antone's" in Austin, Texas, but he also commands
the stage in Europe with his fat harmonica ("the juicy tone") and his powerful
voice. Memo's performance proves with every drop of sweat and every bounce
of his slicked back hair that the blues is more than just pain, that it offers
wisdom, wit, and a whole lotta fun. .
In the 1980s Memo Gonzalez co-founded The Weebads, a band who are an
important part of Dallas blues history, It was in the early 1990s when Memo
started to tour in Europe. After thoroughly stealing the show at a gig in
Holland, Memo met the Bluescasters' bassist Erkan Özdemir, and before long they
formed Memo Gonzalez & The Bluescasters, with guitarist Kai Strauss,and
drummer Klaus Schnirring
Kai Strauss is a gutarist who can hold his own on any international stage.
His breathtakingly intense playing mixes blues with everything that America
has brought forth since the 1950s, though Kai prefers the down 'n dirty greats
of the genre.
What makes this band truly great is their style, the fun they have, and
their original to the blues. From heavy on the guitar Texan roadhouse blues to
spicy Louisiana R&B, Memo Gonzalez & The Bluescasters set in motion an
earthquake wherever their busy touring schedule (about 120 nights a year) takes
them.
MEMO GONZALES & THE BLUESCASTERS appear at The Bullfrog Blues Club, South
Parade Pier.Thursday 22nd September - doors open 8 p.m. Tickets available at
the door (subject to avaialblity), or in advance from Wedgewood Rooms Box
Office, (023) 92863911, Reflex Records, Albert Rfd., Southsea or South Parade
Pier general office.