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Dave Sharp E-mail Newsletter
To get up-to-the-minute Dave Sharp & The Hard Travelers news from this site delivered straight to your Inbox, enter your e-mail address in the box below. Alternatively, send a blank email to davesharpnews-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
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Recommended equipment & suppliers
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Sunstone Studios www.sunstonestudios.co.uk
It's about time the North West had a decent studio. Sunstone is it!
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g2studios www.g2studios.com
A totally fresh approach to recording and years of experience.
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Liv-Guitars www.liv-guitars.co.uk
Keeping Dave Sharp tuned up since 1985 and on through to the future. Master craftsman Mark Wilmott also specialises in handmade instruments.
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300 Guitars www.300guitars.com/
The Guide To Guitar Mania. Grand Central about all things guitar!
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Brian Eastwood Guitars www.brianeastwoodguitars.co.uk
Dave Sharp's electric guitars are maintained by Brian Eastwood Guitars. Brian is one of the UK's top guitar builders and repairers with over 30 years experience.
He will happily cure your squeaky whammy bar, set-up your new Fujisama Twang-o-Blaster or refinish your '58 Les Paul.However, Brian is never happier than when he's making a new guitar for someone. If you would like a unique hand-made guitar, built to your own specification, get in touch right now - you won't regret it.
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Jones Kendall Guitars www.jones-kendall.co.uk
Expert Luthiers to Dave Sharp.
Jones Kendall produce quality handmade acoustic guitars and stringed folk instruments in the North of England. Each instrument combines the very best in lutherie tradition with modern build techniques and is lovingly crafted using the finest materials to ensure the balance, response and tone of the finished instrument. Jones Kendall also specialise in the restoration of vintage and rare guitars.
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Sound Control www.soundcontrol.co.uk
If you need it, it's here.
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John Pearse Strings www.jpstrings.com
Dave Sharp plays and recommends John Pearse strings. They are the very best strings available anywhere, with clear singing highs and rich sonorous lows.
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Lynx Cables www.leisure-lynx.com
Plugging you up and plugging you in.
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Adam Hall www.adamhall.co.uk
Hard-to-find parts for custom rigs, gizzmos--in fact any hair-brained scheme you can come up with. Supersonic service.
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Charlie Chandler's Guitar Experience guitar-xperience.com
Hot products for cool musicians.
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Neutrik UK Ltd www.neutrik.com
Connecting the world.
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Community Links
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Dave Sharp On MySpace www.myspace.com/davesharpsoulco
Dave Sharp has a presence on MySpace Music, the community based website which is THE place on the web for artists and bands to get themselves heard. MySpace Music is part of the wider MySpace community where anybody can sign up, share photos, write blogs, send mail and instant messages.
If you have a myspace account, please visit and add Dave Sharp to your friends. If you haven't, why not sign up and join the myspace community.
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Dave Sharp on Facebook en-gb.facebook.com/pages/Dave-Sharp/43087293724
Dave Sharp now also has his own Facebook page
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Manchester Radio Online www.manchesterradioonline.com/
Manchester's premier online radio station
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106.1 Rock Radio www.rockradio.co.uk/manchester
With stations in Scotland, Manchester and North East and available online ROCK is back on radio big time!
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The Kerry Irish Pub, New Orleans www.kerryirishpub.com
Prior to returning to the UK in 2002, The Kerry Irish Pub on Decatur Street, New Orleans was Dave's "spiritual home". The Kerry remains as committed to live music as ever, offering a stage to talented local musicians and those just passing through seven nights a week (as well as continuing to serve the best pint of Guinness in New Orleans).
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The Woody Guthrie Foundation www.woodyguthrie.org
The mission of the Woody Guthrie Foundation and Archives is to preserve and perpetuate the legacy of folk musician and artist Woody Guthrie. Dave Sharp is among countless artists for who Woody is an inspiration and who still play Woody's songs today.
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Guilfest www.guilfest.co.uk
Living up to their popular, award winning philosophy - not too big, not too small,
GuilFest remains an independently run festival with a very friendly atmosphere,
held in the beautiful surroundings of Stoke Park, Guildford every year over 3 days in July.
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Little London Studios www.littlelondonstudios.com
SuperSonic indie studios in Hastings *****
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GEMM davesharporg.gemm.com
We recommend GEMM for sourcing deleted or hard to find albums (including Hard Travellin' and Downtown America).
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Fuzz Guitar Boutique www.fuzzguitarboutique.com
Nottingham's exclusive Gibson guitar retailer.
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Recommended Musicians
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www.thealarm.com www.thealarm.com
Covering the entire history of The Alarm from their early days to Mike Peter's current band using the same name. Comprehensive archive of The Alarm & it's members, including discography, tour history & press coverage.
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Westway To The Clash www.myspace.com/westwaytotheclash
Featuring Dave's former Alarm mate Eddie MacDonald on guitar & vocals, Westway's sole aim is to recreate the music and energy of The Clash.
This energetic fourpiece are dedicated to performing the sounds of their punk heroes and recreating the enthusiasm and passion Strummer and co. were famous for injecting into their live shows.
Eddie says: 'The Clash were pioneers and an inspiration to many, their passion and style inspired me to form The Alarm. I hope Westway can recreate the energy and drive they injected into their live shows and their music in general.'
'After Joe died I realised I would only ever see the Clash on DVD and would never be able to experience the music live ever again, so the chance to perform my favourite Clash songs has re-ignited my music passion and I hope 'Westway' will do the same for others.'
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All 3 Cylinders www.all3cylinders.com/
After working with Mike Doyle in "Out in the cold" for 4 years, It became obvious to former Hard Traveller John Doyle that Mike was the perfect bass player to play along-side he and drummer Paul Fieldhouse in "that Blues band we really must put together some time!". All 3 cylinders are a working blues/rock/soul/jazz/ power trio from the UK and have been peddling their own brand of trio-ocity up and down the country since Y2K.
Also at http://www.myspace.com/all3cylinders
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Bob Dylan www.bobdylan.com
Bob Dylan - the legend.
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George Borowski www.georgeborowski.co.uk/
Manchester singer/ songwriter
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Joe Strummer www.strummersite.com
Mick Jones and Paul Simonon discovered Joe Strummer in his band The 101ers, while Joe discovered punk when the 101ers were supported by The Sex Pistols. The Clash were formed and played there first gig on 4th July 1976. They would go on to become one of the most creative and influential bands ever.
After the break up of The Clash in 1986, Strummer mainly concentrated on acting and soundtrack recordings (although did a couple of stints as stand in singer for The Pogues and recorded two solo albums).
He returned to mainstream music in 1999 with new band The Mescaleros and who were gaining a reputation to rival The Clash when Joe passed away suddenly in 2002. His music and legacy lives on.
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Bill Nelson & Be Bop Deluxe - Rooms With Brittle Views www.billnelson.co.uk
A true guitar hero 70s rock band, Be Bop were originally formed by the legendary Bill Nelson in 1972 with Richard Brown on keyboards, Ian Parkin on rhythm guitar, Rob Bryan on bass guitar, and Nicholas Chatterton-Dew on drums. The band went through several line ups until finally disbanding in 1978 with Bill exhausted from the relentless recording / touring schedule. Bill would of course go on to have solo success in the 90s.
See also the US Bill Nelson site www.billnelson.com
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Brian Travis Band www.thebriantravisband.com
Brian Travis is a down to earth folk songwriter with an unnstoppable rock and roll heart. His sound blends elements of classic California guitar rock & British rock into one powerful musical combo, topped off with clear lyricism that trancends pop. His group, The Brian Travis Band, frequently tour the west coast and the UK. The BTB's latest release, 'Past the Breakers', has been described as ''music that keeps a kung fu grip on the listeners attention while summoning up basic truths in an effortlessly entertaining way''. Brian Travis is on a mission to create potent rock music that contains true meaning in the age of Ashlee Simpson and Hilary Duff.
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Carlos Santana www.santana.com
Carlos Santana's music has spanned five decades and 36 albums, outlasted countless musical trends, sold more than fifty million albums, played live to upwards of thirty million fans, and garnered countless awards and honors.
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Chris Farlowe www.chrisfarlowe.co.uk
Chris Farlowe formed his own skiffle band whilst still a teenager. By the late fifties Chris had gravitated more towards Rock and Roll and left off guitar to concentrate on singing. The group evolved into Chris Farlowe and the Thunderbirds, whose songs included 'Handbags and Gladrags' recently covered by The Stereophonics & used as the theme to The Office. By 1970 Chris was with progressive rockers, Coloseum before moving on to Atomic Rooster. The 80s were spent in semi-retirement, but in the 90s and 00s, Chris has recorded and gigged relentlessly with the newly reformed Coloseum, the Manfreds and solo dates. Soul Co's Paul Burgess and Keith Ashcroft have both recorded and toured with Chris.
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Chrissie Hynde www.pretendersarchives.com
Although born in the USA, it was in the London of the mid 70s where Hynde found her musical inspiration and in 1978, The Pretenders were formed by Chrissie & Pete Farndon. The Pretenders were much more than just a punk band, mixing styles at will to create a catalogue of classic songs. Despite numerous lineup changes ever since, Hynde has kept the Pretenders going - issuing solid albums and continuing to be a must-see live act to this day.
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Credence Clearwater Revival www.cc.jyu.fi/~petkasi/ccr-jcf/index.htm
Louisianna music from California. A big influence on The Soul Company.
Driven by singer, songwriter, guitarist, and leader John Fogerty, Credence's songs evoke enduring images of Americana. The band's genius was their ability to accomplish this with the economic, primal power of a classic rockabilly ensemble.
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Davy Cowan www.davycowan.co.uk
Davy Cowan is a solo Celtic musician and songwriter renowned for his unpretentious and straight-to-the-point writing. Davy performs with a raw energy and zest that make him one of the most inspiring performers around today.
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Doktor Mandrake www.myspace.com/thewayisforward
Doktor Mandrake hail from Manchester & consist of:
Marv Willers - Vocals. Guitar. Hair.
Chris McGinty - Guitar. Vocals. Keyboard (on occasion). Grr.
Johan The Asp - Bass. Oomph.
Paul Plow Man - Percussion. Beard
A hit with the fans and with Dave Sharp at the first Strummercamp for being one of the few acts who chose to play the Strummer & Clash songs that other bands never even think of.
How high a recommendation can they have than the fact that Dave Sharp asked them to back him at Strummercamp 2.
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Dr Feelgood www.drfeelgood.de
Soul Co's Mo Witham goes back a long way with The Feelgood's, guitarist Wilko Johnson having been a fan of Mo's Orioles in the pubs of Southend in the late 60's. Mo was even asked to join the band when Wilko left in 1977. The Feelgood's went on without Wilko taking their classic blues rock to every corner of the country. They even survived the death of founder member & singer Lee Brilleaux in 1994 and continue to tour and record relentlessly.
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Ernie's Rhythm Section www.myspace.com/onlyforthepleasure
We're all from Hell, we played blues in a garage, then we played blues in a room, then we played blues in a bar, then we played blues in another room and didn't come out for a bit, then we played blues in small pub, then we played music in a fancy pub, then in a tiny pub, then we played the blues because god rang up Rik and told him something herrendous, then we played blues up a tree, then we played blues outside, then we played into a microphone, now we play blues where ever we fall with many a beautiful person. Our collective age is 93, now 94 due to a recent birthday boy cleaning his shorts
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Gong www.planetgong.co.uk
Gong began life in 1966 and in 2004, they are still going - touring and recording 36 years later. They are often described as a cult band - they say this means a band too few people love too much.
Bass player Mike Howlett was the producer of The Alarm's Strength album, as well as Martha and The Muffin's classic 'Echo Beach', OMD's 'Enola Gay' and Flock Of Seagull's 'I Ran. Between leaving Gong in 1975 and becoming a producer, Mike was in the band Strontium 90. Unfortunately for him, when he left the remaining three members renamed themselves The Police and went into history. Mike rejoined Gong in 1996.
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Gram Parsons www.gramparsons.com
Despite passing away in 1973 at just 26 years old, Gram Parsons' influence on modern music lives on over 30 years later. His blurring of the boundaries between rock & country in the late 60s & early 70s would shape generations of equally influential bands over four decades. From The Byrds through the Rolling Stones, Eagles, Long Ryders, Lemonheads & Wilco, his legacy is massive.
Dave Sharp says 'It's a Sid Thing', referring to friend and Long Ryder Sid Griffen, a long time Gram devotee who recently directed a documentary on Gram Parsons' life for the BBC.
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Huey Lewis and The News www.hln.org
Did you know that Huey Lewis is a massive Alarm fan? There's so much more to Huey Lewis than Back To The Future. Check him out - Dave Sharp recommends it.
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John Cooper Clarke www.johncooperclarke.com
...from Salford via Colchester JOHN COOPER CLARKE - that northern bard of punk-jazz-beat-word groove. The first man to marry a sulphate-sneer working class poetry to urban sleaze- synths and rhythms back in the late seventies. JCC's performances are relentless and confrontational - a caustic wit and wily cultural measure offering lurid glimpses of a very literary genius. There's (still) no other performer mining similar territory.
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John Mellencamp www.mellencamp.com
John Mellencamp released his first album in 1976 and had his first hit single in 1979. However, it was his fourth album American Fool in 1980 that saw him hit 'the big time'. His No.1 hit 'Jack and Diane' from that album remains one of the most played 'adult radio' tracks to this day. Like Dave Sharp, Mellencamp would move more towards the traditional folk style as he matured and also increasingly focussed his songwriting on the difficulties of small town America. This would eventually lead to him becoming a leader and champion of the 'Farm Aid' benefits throughout the 90s & to this day. He continues to record & tour today.
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Johnny Cash www.johnnycash.com
The Man in Black
1932 - 2003
Quite simply, one of the greatest recording artists of all time.In his lifetime, he recorded over 1500 songs. He was the youngest person ever chosen for the Country Music Hall of Fame and for many years was the only performer ever selected for the Country and Rock Music Hall of Fame (until 1998 when Elvis Presley was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame). He won 11 Grammy awards, including a lifetime achievent award. His legacy will live on forever.
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Lonnie Donegan www.lonniedoneganinc.com
''Does Your Chewing Gum Lose It's Flavour On The Bedpost Overnight?'' Perhaps the fact that Lonnie Donegan actually managed to have a hit with a song so titled just emphasises what a genius he was.
The King Of Skiffle first came to the public's attention back in 1956 and changed the face of popular music forever. Nearly 50 years later he was still on the road, sadly passing away in 2002 while on a tour which featured Dave Sharp as one of the support acts.
What greater tribute than the word's of Dave - ''No Lonnie. No Alarm.''
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Malibu Stacey www.malibustacey.com
Soul Co first came across Malibu Stacey sharing the bill with Soul Co at Beached 2004. Despite the distraction of their biggest gig so far, Malibu Stacey made an impression.
Their debut album 'On Heat' is a powerfully exiting brand new raw mix of rock & punk energy that is a must listen!
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Mickey Jupp www.mickeyjupp.co.uk
Soul Co's Mo Witham first played with guitarist - pianist - vocalist Jupp in Southend band The Orioles in 1963, and then again in several line ups of Legend between 1969 and 1972, during which time they recorded two albums for Vertigo, the first 'Legend' being produced by Tony Visconti.
Mickey continued to record throughout the 70s and 80s with moderate success, but his songs have made his name in musicians circles, being covered by Dr. Feelgood, Elkie Brooks, Nick Lowe, Dave Edmunds, Roger Chapman, Gary Brooker The Judds, and many others.
Although largely retired, Mickey still plays occassionally and is often joined by his long term friend Mo Witham.
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Pete Wylie & The Mighty Wah! www.petewylie.com
Pete Wylie's debut gig was at the legendary Eric's in Liverpool - the night it was raided and closed down for ever. He bounced back with a series of bands - Wah! Heat, Wah! and recently resurrected The Mighty Wah! Quite simply, Wylie writes great songs with a heart and soul sadly missing from so much of today's music. His shows provide entertainment both musically and through his line in comic intersong banter. The man's a legend, miss him at your peril!
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Rory Gallagher www.rorygallagher.com
''The first Irish rock'n'roller and a unique blues guitar voice rolled into one. Missed by everyone'' (The Guitar Magazine, August 1995)
Born in Co. Donegal in 1948, Rory grew up in the city of Cork. Based in London during most of his 30 year career, he toured extensively, sold 30 million records, and had a worldwide following of loyal fans, including both Dave Sharp & Jim Holmes. He died in London at the early age of 47, on 14 June 1995.
Dave says ''I first got a taste of the 'Bullfrog Blues' when I was about 10 years old. I'd been foolin' around with the Beatles for a while when SOUNDS had the good sense to give us all the 'Free-Single' phenomena - a Rory EP. Quite frankley, I've never een the same since!!!''
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Sid Griffin and The Long Ryders www.sidgriffin.com
Dave Sharp first met Sid Griffin when The Long Ryders supported The Alarm in the early 80s. He would later tour with Sid's Coal Porters and they remain friends to this day. The Long Ryders are one of the greatest bands who never quite got the break they deserved.
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Steve Gibbons www.havic.com/artist/S_Gibbons/SGFrame.html
Words such as artistry, charisma, endurance and integrity are often used in describing a legend. They all apply to Steve Gibbons, who has been in the music business for over four decades, surviving the ever-changing trends by being himself.
Dave says - 'Steve Gibbons, the governer, stone me he is THE BEST!!'
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Stiff Little Fingers www.slf.com
Following the break up of The Alarm, Dave Sharp played guitar for SLF during 1994. More recently he joined SLF lead singer Jake Burns for a number of shows as a temporary member of "Three Men And Black"
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The Bee Gees www.beegeesonline.com
Although they'd emmigrated to Australia before his birth, The Bee Gees originated 2 miles from Dave Sharp's Salford home. Over 40 years, they have proven themselves one of the greatest pop acts of all time, with countless classic hits songs themselves and dozens more recorded by other artists. Although the future is uncertain after the passing of Maurice, there is so much moreto discover about them than disco...
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The Casbah Club www.bigcountry.co.uk/casbahclub
There are fascinating roots to this band.
BRUCE WATSON and MARK BRZEZICKI spent two decades in BIG COUNTRY, one of Scotland's finest rock bands. BRUCE FOXTON was a founder member of first generation punk/new wave's legendary THE JAM.
The musical combination of these three whets the appetite. Add to it former Big Country keyboard player JOSH PHILIPS with singer JJ GILMOUR formerly of THE SILENCERS and one can unashamedly drool over its musical potential.
See also www.pogomotion.co.uk/roster/casbahclub/casbah.htm
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The Deportees www.myspace.com/thedeporteesclub
Arriving slap bang in the middle of the Britpop boom, The British music scene of 1994 wasn't the friendliest place for a band who declared Hank Williams and The Clash as their primary musical influences to be. Undeterred, The Deportees played everywhere from Irish pubs to prisons,swiftly gaining a reputation as a formidable live act with some cracking original material. After a short hiatus in the early 00s, the band are working on a new album, are gigging regularly once again, and also working with Dave Sharp on his latest solo project.
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The Dylan Project www.dylanproject.co.uk
Take four of Britain's most talented folkrock musicians and a unique singer, add the repertoire of a genius, and you've got the recipe for a dream band.
The musicians in question are Gerry Conway (drums and percussion), Simon Nicol (guitars), Dave Pegg (bass), PJ Wright (slide and electric guitars, pedal steel) and the singer is Steve Gibbons. As The Dylan Project, they present an exhilarating tribute to the work of arguably the greatest postwar songwriter in the English language - Bob Dylan.
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The Fall www.visi.com/fall
Since their first gig in 1977, The Fall have had 35 line-ups and 43 members. The one constant has been Mark E Smith (born 5th March 1957 in Salford, hometown of Dave Sharp). In their early days they vied with The Buzzcocks for the title of Manchester's foremost punk bands, but have since re-invented themselves countless times. The band have had a huge influence on acts ranging from Pavement and Blur to Suede and Hole. Mark E Smith can justifiably be credited as the founder of today's indie scene.
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The Icicle Works members.shaw.ca/icicleworks
The Icicle Works were formed in Liverpool in 1980 by Chris Sharrock, Chris Layhe and Ian McNabb, playing the same North Wales and Merseyside music scene as Seventeen and the early Alarm.
They produced four albums for Beggars Banquet before the original line up broke up in 1988. Soul Co drummer Paul Burgess was part of a new line up formed in 1989, but the album 'Permanent Damage' recorded for Epic in 1990 would prove to be the band's last. Ian McNabb has had a successful solo career since 1993.
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The Official 10cc Pages home.wanadoo.nl/matters.10cc
One of rocks legendary bands, 10cc have been recording & touring since the 70s. Soul Co drummer Paul Burgess was a member from 1972 to 1983, rejoining in 1999 to the present day.
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The Subdudes www.subdudes.com
The subdudes are Tommy Malone, John Magnie, Steve Amedée, Tim Cook and Jimmy Messa.
Formed in 1987 for a one-off gig in New Orleans, the subdudes recorded and toured successfully for 10 years. In 2002 three of the original members regrouped, adding Tim Cook and Jimmy Messa to a new dudes. In the words of the Washington Post - 'they have no flashy rock star moves, no wild guitar solos and no outrageous attire, just good ol' roots rock with a Southern Twist.'
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Thunder www.thunderonline.com
One of the finest British rock bands of the 90s are now re-united and better than ever. Dave has recently discovered their music and rates them highly.
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Townes Van Zandt www.townesvanzandt.com
'Townes' music is a tonic' wrote critic Roy Karsten. Indeed it is, one worth drinking if you want to sample all that life has to offer, from the highest of highs to the lowest of lows. If you ever wondered what it feels like to drive down a lonesome highway or wander a quiet Mountain road, then check out this incredible singer/songwriter who has passed on but left us with a great body of work.
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Townsend Records www.townsend-records.co.uk
Townsend Records stock the full range of Dave Sharp & Soul Company merchandise and can also meet all your recorded music needs. In addition to four retail stores in the north-west of England, Townsend offer a full national & international service via their online service and also welcome orders by phone or fax.
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Widespread Panic www.widespreadpanic.com
20 Years of keeping the spirit Of Rock and Roll alive. Formed in Athens, Georgia in 1983, Widespread Panic have established a devout grass-roots following on the strength of constant touring and a loose, rootsy brand of Southern rock informed by jazz and blues textures. Road warriors!
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Willie Nelson www.willienelson.com
How many guitars does Willie Nelson own? What size shoe does Willie Nelson wear? What band or bands did Willie play in before his solo career? What is Willie's golf handicap? Literally everything you need to know about the master!
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Wob www.wobmusic.com
A little guy with just one guitar and an extra-long pair of vocal chords, Wob supported Dave Sharp on a number of shows during the Summer Of Love tour.
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Big Country www.bigcountry.co.uk
The Official website where you can find up to the minute news, details of new releases, images, audio and video clips that have been residing in the managers private archives - some never before seen until now.
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JJ Burnell & The Stanglers www.stranglers.net
The Rat's Lair, the Official website of The Stranglers.
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