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Roach Twins Band
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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