In 2002, soon after the untimely demise of one of finest R&B bands on the circuit - The Nightporters, two former members - guitarist Martin Vowles and drummer Kevin Crowe, set about putting together a band that would capture the excitement and intensity of the legendary Nightporters performances and elevate the music to a new higher level.

Finding that line-up was far easier than first expected. A chance meeting in a late night venue in the South West of England, saw Kevin and Martin blown away watching two guys in the band Vince Lee & The Big Combo; the criminally un-famous bandleader Vince Lee, a truly jaw-dropping world class guitarist and very fine singer and Al Wallis, a bass player of immense groove and ability. It was immediately obvious that these guys had everything it takes... and more, to fit the bill.

Since The Wildcards inception back in 2003, the band have been wowing audiences right across Europe with their explosive sound and groundbreaking approach to material, appearing at many of the biggest and best Blues festivals and clubs and building a sizeable and devout fan-base. Some of those appearances include:
Moulin Blues Festival, Holland / Great British Rhythm & Blues Festival, Colne, UK / Blues On The Farm Festival, UK / Gevarenwinkel Blues Festival, Belgium plus many, many more shows in Holland, Belgium, Luxembourg, Germany, Denmark, Finland, France and of course the U.K!

In the summer of 2006 the band were thrilled to be asked by one of the Blues World’s finest harmonica players and singer songwriters, Texan legend Gary Primich to be his band for his forthcoming European tour. It was a fine collaboration and Gary and the boys hit the road in October 2006 playing 10 blistering shows across Europe to packed houses.

Fast forward to 2007 and exactly a year after that tour, The Wildcards have released their second studio album entitled “Raising Hell”. It’s an album of startling originality, entertaining lyrics and amazingly-accomplished tunes. An undeniably-cool blend of jazz, jump jive, blues and rockabilly. All this is given a wicked ‘voodoo’ edge with Louisiana and Caribbean influences bubbling up all over. Raising Hell is already causing a stir with reviewers, gathering quotes such as “Musical mayhem worthy of Screaming Jay Hawkins or Louis Jordan. Yes, it’s that good!”

With this fine album just released, a rapidly growing fan-base and busy touring schedule booked for 2008, The Wildcards current position can be summed up well with another recent quote….
“…entertaining musical and lyrical wit way beyond most bands, the Wildcards are surely poised on the edge of real acclaim”

view printable biography