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roach twins

If you were a regular patron of the Manchester Blues scene of the late eighties/early nineties, you would have been witness to one of the most unique and talented bunch of musicians ever to grace a stage, namely; The Roach Twins Blues Band. Masterminded by Little Hulton's, twin virtuoso blues guitarists Christopher and Anthony Roach - two of the finest blues axemen ever to emerge from the Northwest. From the humble beginnings of a regular spot at The Duke Of York in Eccles as an instrumental duo with occasional harmonica support from the Larry Adler of Eccles ( Brian ), this band would even get the non - blues fans talking! With the addition of Big Vern ( Colin ) on Drums; a thumper of Bonhamesque proportions, Tex on solid and ever reliable bass, the afore mentioned Brian; king of the chromatic harmonica, The Professor ( John ) on bagpipes ( yes really ! ), flute, bombard and anything elseyou might care to throw at him and finally Billy Big Dinners ( Mike ) on vocals, whose voice was made to sing the blues. The band seemed to be on everywhere at that time. The Kings Arms in Salford, the newly opened Cathedral Arches and the now immortal P.J. Bell's ( Formerly Yate's Wine Lodge ) on Oldham St. It was possible to catch them live on a weekly basis. In fact it was at the legendary P.J.'s that The Roach Twins Blues Band would take up semi-residency. The place was ideal for the band. Smoky dimly lit and jam packed with enthusiastic and well lubricated blues hungry fans. They were never disappointed. The band delivered without fail at least two and sometimes three storming sets that would leave the ears ringing and the feet aching. And the songs, they were something else. Mostly, they were original compositions in which every band member had the chance to shine. From the superbly vicious ' Blood in his pockets', a tale of savagery on Salford precinct, to the thundering anthemic anti-political 'Look after yourself ',which perfectly reflected the political climate of the time.
Recently reformed! and signed to the Blues Matters! label are well known on the club and festival circuit, but are now also gaining an International reputation, due to extremely successful gigs at the Zinc Blues Festival in Paris 2005.

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