The Wildcards – Biography 2010 (download PDF)

Vince Lee - Lead vocals & guitar - Vince on Myspace
Martin Vowles - Guitar & backing vocals
Al Wallis - Bass & backing vocals - Al on Myspace
Kevin Crowe - Drums & backing vocals

Discography
On Fire! (2004)
Raising Hell (2007)
When The Moon Shines Bright (2010)

“This is one damn fine band who are one of the most exciting live acts around in any genre”.
Plymouth Evening Herald, UK

When you look at how the press describes the music of English band The Wildcards, it’s clear to see that conventional pigeonholing could be a pointless exercise. As one reviewer put it, “..It’s all there: deep blues, swing, punk, New Orleans rumbastyle 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"
Bluematters magazine, UK

“A startlingly original roots act”…“Poised on the edge of real acclaim”…, the band’s fast growing fanbase wouldn’t argue with any of that, but this is not just PR fluff: they know that the band’s real strength lies in the very real, jaw-dropping, intense, high energy live performances given every single time by vocalist and guitarist Vince Lee, guitarist – Martin Vowles, bass player – Al Wallis and drummer Kevin Crowe.

The Wildcards were formed in 2003, a coming together of 4 talented and experienced West-Country 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 been in demand at some of the finest clubs and festivals across Europe. During 2008-09 they made appearances in the U.K., Germany, Holland, Belgium, France, Sweden, Denmark, Luxembourg and Finland. 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.

During February / March 2010 the band undertook a major tour of 9 European countries to coincide with the release of their third album “When The Moon Shines Bright”. The album has picked up some amazing reviews and a healthy amount of radio airplay since it’s release on 22 February 2010. What’s more, The Wildcards have been nominated in six categories in The 2010 British Blues Awards. These awards are voted for by the public, signaling that the band are now gaining national and international recognition for their music and live shows. The Wildcards have been nominated in the following categories:
THE WILDCARDS - Nominated for BEST BAND
THE WILDCARDS - 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

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.

Photograph by Stacey DeAmcis

“Rocka-punkabilly-power-swing-blues!”
Jefferson magazine, Denmark

"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. Together with Nick Curran’s “Reform School Girl” this is already one of the best releases of 2010".
Marcel “De Schuur” Schuurman, www.bluesforum.com, Netherlands

“The Wildcards cannot be put in a hole! Blues, rhythm & blues, jazz, rock, rockabilly, gothic, jump, big band, punk are just some of their influences. Pour all ingredients in a shaker or tumbler, 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

Post: PO Box 492. Torquay, Devon, TQ1 9EB, United Kingdom
Website: www.wildcardsweb.com
Myspace: www.myspace.com/wildcardsmusic

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