“The UK’s number one swing-blues outfit” Blues in Britain
The CKs formed in 2000, around London, from a group of experienced musicians, whose cvs included the James Hunter Band, Otis Grand’s Band, Paul Lamb’s Kingsnakes & Big Joe Louis’ Band. Six months later they released their debut cd ‘Lou Ann’. It was picked up right away by radio stations across the world and earned the band a ’finalist’ status in the 2001 UK best new blues band awards.
From the very outset The Cadillac Kings became firm favourites on the blues & jump-jive scenes. With stunning musicianship & an exciting stage act, this band knows how to entertain audiences across the board, from arts centres to dance-halls, from intimate clubs to major festivals, the length & breadth of the UK, Europe & Scandinavia.
The founder member of the band is vocalist & songwriter Mike Thomas, who writes nearly all the band’s material, combining the sounds & styles of ‘40s & ‘50s r ‘n’ b with an unerring 21st century wit. “Mike’s often hilarious lyrics are right up there with Rick Estrin & Louis Jordan” wrote blues journalist Ken Peace in his bluesinthenorthwest blog.
2004 saw the release of the band’s second CD ‘Highway 17’ on the UK jazz & roots label ‘33’ Records. The music critics of UK newspaper The Times included 'Highway 17', alongside albums by Morrissey, U2, the Scissor Sisters etc, in their list of the top 24 releases of the year, and chose it as best blues CD. Following wide airplay the band were invited to play live sessions for BBC radio, Norwegian TV and Dutch radio.
Since then the band continue to gig across europe in clubs & at festivals & have opened shows for acts such as Lazy Lester, The Fabulous Thunderbirds, Rod Piazza, Magic Slim, Lil' Ed & His Blues Imperials, Louisiana Red, John Mayall, Larry Garner, Nappy Brown, Little Feat & Delbert McLinton to name but a few!
Highlights have included the band's debut appearance at London’s Royal Albert Hall playing a special lunchtime concert during the 2010 Proms season, and co-headlining the huge Bliuzo Naktys Festival in Lithuania where the band played to an audience of over 15,000 blues fans.
Their 2009 release ‘Trouble in Store’ drew rave reviews from both sides of the atlantic including the title of ‘best non-American blues album’ of the year from Canada’s top blues magazine ‘Real Blues’.
Winter 2012 saw the release of their first official live cd, ‘Gonna Tell Your Momma’ recorded by Rune Halland in Hamar, Norway on Scandinavia’s top mobile set-up. This captures the real fun & excitement of a Cadillac Kings’ show featuring four individual vocalists and the UK’s finest west coast-style guitarist, Mal Barclay. The CD has has unanimously rave reviews in the UK, USA & europe.
Official Website: The Cadillac Kings