Bluestack Details

The Band wants to play and will travel to do it, anyone who has ever played in a band knows it can be very hard work, but we are prepared to go the extra mile.

On drums we have Russ Merrick. Russ has a very strong pedigree of playing . He has played in Theatre tours and many other bands with different styles which gives him the ability to offer variety. This is so valuable in a live situation where you need to be put emphasis in and then leave it out, just by changing a few beats here and there you can completely change the sound and feel of a number.

On guitar we have Gary Oswell. Gary has written and recorded with members of Mott the Hoople, Spooky Tooth and Widowmaker. He plays the guitar with a fire and passion but also with sensitivity . Gary loves the blues, its different every time because the blues is a feeling, not a learnt note for note situation. So many players feel compelled to learn things note for note and for them that's fine, you can respect the technique. But the original artists who made these works of art did so at a point in time in the studio, it only captures that moment. Gary is interested in making new moments. He uses Brian Moore custom and fender and Gibson guitars through a Mesa Boogie.

Lastly we have Mark Bettis, a professional keyboard player who can play anything! He writes, records and has toured the world with dozens of bands. Many well known solo artists use Mark as their musical director and has spent countless hours in studios as a session man. Mark just loves music and uses a variety of Korg and Hammond keyboards.

NEW:

Bluestack have a new lead singer called Brian May, yes that is really his name. But...... it isn't the Queen Brian May, their singer comes from Bromsgrove.

A few details from Brian:

I was born in Portsmouth 10/05/1953. My musical influences up until mid teens were; The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, The Who, The Doors. I joined the Royal Navy in September 1968 and had my eyes well and truly opened to people like Cream (Clapton), Led Zeppelin, John Mayall, Jimi Hendrix, Black Sabbath & many more. Over the years I have always enjoyed listening to Rock, Blues and various other types of music. My love affair with the blues really began when Eric Clapton brought out his 'From the Cradle' album. That was further enhanced when he started doing his long stints at the Albert Hall when he introduced us to people like Buddy Guy and Robert Cray. Up until two years ago I had never been in a band or sang in front of an audience, apart from when I was a choirboy in my teens! I joined a Rock covers band called Kwondesmo doing the likes of Sabbath, Velvet Revolver, Green Day, Judas Priest, Foo Fighters and AC/DC. When I was presented with the opportunity to join Bluestack I didn’t hesitate and am now looking forward to a very musically rewarding time with them performing all over the Midlands and indeed all over the country!

Set List for the Upton Blues Festival:

Set List 1

Cant keep a good man down

Walking by myself

Big change

As easy as that

Cold shot

Come to poppa

All you loving

Oh pretty woman

Moving on

Story of the blues

White room

Set List 2

Get over it

Hands off

Fire down below

Suicide

A little bit of love

Waiting for an alibi

Jailbait/ Blowing free medley

Sylvia

Texas strut

More info on future gigs can be seen at: www.bluestack.me.uk