Solid Entertainments Presents WHITBY Blues Festival Acts.

Formed on Canvey Island in Essex in the early 1970s Dr. Feelgood remains one of the most popular and exciting live rhythm and blues acts in the world. The raw and uncompromising style of their performance resulted in the album Stupidity that immediately went to the number one position in the U.K. charts.

Dr. Feelgood have also enjoyed global success with a string of hit singles including Roxette, Back in the Night, Milk and Alcohol, Down at the Doctors, She Does it Right, Going Back Home and See You Later Alligator - which gave the group their first gold record.

The last album to feature Lee Brilleaux - Down at the Doctors, was recorded live at the Dr. Feelgood Music Bar on Canvey Island, (now the site of the Oysterfleet Hotel) just two months before he died.

The current line up features the rhythm section Kevin Morris on drums and Phil Mitchell on bass, both 29 years in the band andSteve Walwyn on guitar who has been with the band for 23 years. Vocalist Robert Kane (formerly of the Animals) is the most recent addition – joining in 1999.

Recent releases include a DVD - Live in London and CD Repeat Prescription - a collection of some of the bands most enduring songs but with a fresh approach.

Julien Temple’s film Oil City Confidential released on 2^nd February 2010 tells the story of the bands formative years featuring the Wilko Johnson era.

May 2011 saw the digitally re – mastered re release of Chessmasters originally released in 2000 on EMI Records … the band’s tribute to the Chess label, home to many of the finest blues artists of the 20^th century and the first Dr Feelgood album to feature Robert on vocals.

The band continues to tour extensively throughout the World.

Bernard Doherty, Planet Rock – “One of those amazing British talents"

Joe Bonamassa – “A fantastic guitar player… able to take a Fender Stratocaster and really make it sing…”

Walter Trout – “What sets him apart is his passion and feeling. Danny’s playing grabs you with its intensity and urgency.”

Currently on a world tour promoting his latest release Blood Money (featuring special guests Walter Trout and Whitesnake legend Bernie Marsden), Danny's ninth studio release displays his passionate blues/rock style which has seen audiences packing out venues across the globe and sending "Blood Money" soaring to the top of the Blues charts.

Dynamic rock/blues band Red Butler is fast making a name for itself across Britain and Europe. Audiences instantly tap into the fire and passion generated by the young band from Brighton.

November 2016 saw the culmination of 18 months preparation with the release of the band’s lovingly crafted second album, "Nothing To Lose" produced at Superfly Studios by Wayne Proctor. The music represents a journey for the band and has been well received by their supporters, new fans and the music media. This album follows the success of Red Butler’s debut release, "Freedom Bound" in summer 2014. The ‘Nothing to Lose’ tour extended through October-December showcasing the new album and the extended line-up. Those performances thrilled audiences as the band unleashed its energy with control and power.

‘Nothing To Lose’ is a collaborative project drawn from the band members’ individual experiences of life and music. Red Butler see the need to deliver a message to younger people whilst retaining the support of their established blues/rock audience. Influences include SRV, Free, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Foo Fighters, Gary Clarke Jnr. and artists such as Royal Blood and Vintage Trouble. Touring with the Laurence Jones Band, Billy Walton Band and Danny Bryant added enormously to the band experience. Their solo tours have helped them hone their craft and delight audiences across the country. The coming year will provide the opportunity to develop the full potential of Red Butler.

The power and sensitivity of their music has seen Red Butler win national awards. Successes include:

Alex – runner up in Young Artist category – British Blues Awards 2016.
Band – third place in Best Blues Band category – British Blues Awards 2016.
Representing the UK at the European Blues Challenge in Italy 2016.
Winners of the UK Blues Challenge 2015.
Runners-up in the British Blues Awards 2015 (Alex, Young Artist and Band, Emerging Artist).
‘Best New UK Act’ 2014 – Blues Matters Magazine

Alex Butler established the band in 2012 and for a long time the line up comprised Alex (lead guitar and backing vocals), Jane Pearce (lead vocals), Charlie Simpson (drums) and Mike Topp (bass and backing vocals). With the heavier sound of ‘Nothing To Lose’ Dan Spellman (guitar and backing vocals) joined the line-up. The end of 2016 saw the biggest change to date when Jane opted to leave the band to pursue her own career. Dan has stepped into the role of lead vocalist having performed with other bands and is already exciting audiences with his voice and stage presence. The search is on for another vocalist, which could give Red Butler the exciting possibility of twin vocalists.

Rainbreakers express an undeniable influence from the sounds of the 60's and 70's, with contemporary artists also having a huge impact of the group's sound. When moulded together this creates a timeless spirit that weaves between the borders of rock, pop, blues and soul.

Since the release of their debut EP ‘Blood Not Brass’ in 2015, the four-piece from Shropshire have acquired critical acclaim. This has given the band the leverage and momentum to sustain a dominant presence among the circuit.

Coupled with their fervent live performance, Rainbreakers have acquired global and national press. The Blues Magazine have featured the band’s music on numerous occasions, while Blues Matters has given nothing but positive words towards the release, highlighting their adaptable musicality in combining the old with the new.

Passionate to deliver authenticity, the band have sustained an honest and ever growing following through a relentless desire to perform. This has seen them play stages such as London’s famous 100 Club to The Great British Rock and Blues Festival, which saw them win a spot on Centre Stage in 2017.

Rainbreakers have no intention of slowing down and 2016 is already shaping up to be a busy year for the band.

The Blues Issue is a South coast 5 piece - an explosive combination of twin guitars, hollerin’ harp and a supercharged rhythm section. They’re currently slaying audiences in the South with their high-voltage live performances.

The line-up is Steve Lambsden (Vox/Guitar), Tony Smith (Harp), Matt Greenfield (Drums), Nodd McDonagh (Bass) and Glen McPheat (Guitar/Vox): accomplished players, with recording, performance , writing and production credits across a range of tunes Rock to House Music . It’s not all about the high-energy syncopation and floodlight soloing; they also produce moments of sensitive and emotional shade, a deeper blue .

July 2013 saw the release of the first BI album - “Bad Day for the Blues” painting a range of Blues hues, a selection of original self-penned numbers alongside well arranged re-imagined standards.The eponymous opener “Blues Issue” with its Rockabilly roll, the syncopated soul of ‘Ever ything But Love”, the thundering express that is “Blues Train”. The songs translate well from live, the subtleties of performances show through - Steve’s phat tones and emotive vocals, Glen’s angular guitar and more anxious vocal style , Tony’s howlin’ harp, Matt’s clockwork timing and precise fills locked into Nodd’s driving, evolving bass lines.

The Blues Issue gains more followers, more energy and more momentum with every appearance. They relish the bigger stages, with appearances at Blues Festivals in Dover this summer and Swanage - for the fourth consecutive time! A comment on the Swanage website following the latest two appearances “Blues Issue kicked the ball right out of the park…Twice!”

SOLID ENTERTAINMENTS Presents... WHITBY BLUES FESTIVAL