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TACKHEAD ... IN THE AREA
Adrian Sherwood, Skip McDonald, Bernard Fowler,
Keith Leblanc, Doug Wimbish
— photograph by dave hogerty
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TACKHEAD ... IN TIME
When looking at a collection of records the members of TackHead either made themselves, or played a significant role in producing, the impact the band has had on the last three decades of pop music is apparent. From the mid-1970s until today, their virtuosity has kept them at the top of every jazz, rock, pop, and R&B chart.
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"IN THE AREA"
Wimbash 2008 (July 8, 2008)
Doug, Skip, and Keith playing at Sully's Pub in Hartford, Connecticut ... part of this year's Wimbash, the third annual show organized by Doug to support the small beer bar in his hometown ... Always a good time, combining a casual, intimate crowd filled with so many of the band's friends and family.
— video by dave.
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IN THE PAST ...
“Class Rock†performed at Brixton Academy
London, England (1990)
By the end of the 1980s, TACKHEAD had become a cult phenomenon in underground nightclubs all over Europe. Skip McDonald, Doug Wimbish, Keith Leblanc, and Adrian Sherwood all had reputations as "musicians' musicians," and their shows always attracted audiences filled with musical talent. It wasn't unusual to see artists such as Moby, Radiohead, and The Red Hot Chili Peppers standing in the crowd ... and in fact, many, including Mick Jagger, Joe Satriani, and a young guitarist named Vernon Reid frequently sat in with the band. When the popular chant "TACKHEAD IN THE AREA" echoed through a hall, those in attendance were GUARANTEED A PARTY.
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BLUES FOR THE 21st CENTURY ...
Playing under Skip's "Little Axe" moniker, TACKHEAD embarks on yet another exciting musical journey. On "STONE COLD OHIO," the band honors Skip's midwestern roots, while at the same time riding a virtuosic spaceship into uncharted sonic waters. Take a ride into the FUTURE OF THE BLUES ...
(photograph by York/Real World Records)
KILLING FLOOR ...
Interviews with Skip, Doug and Keith at Peter Gabriel's English country estate before a Little Axe performance headlining the 2006 Real World Records 20th Anniversary celebration. So successful a show, that Gabriel and friend Robert Plant joined the band for a three-tune encore to close the event.
Skip calls "STONE COLD OHIO" a reality check ... a healthy blend of the blues and spirituality ... traveling through time, both back to my roots, and into the future. Skip was born 57 years ago in Dayton, Ohio, one of the great funk breeding grounds — Wilson Pickett , the Ohio Players, The Falcons, etc. ... It was there he learned blues guitar from his father, and by the age of 10 was playing jazz professionally. By 12, his focus had shifted to doo-wop on street corners, and gospel in church. In 1972 he moved to the east coast with his dance band the Ohio Hustlers, and two years later was in Hartford, Connecticut and a band called Wood, Brass & Steel. There he met Doug and Keith, and developed the musical relationship that became the original SUGAR HILL RHYTHM SECTION, TackHead, and since 1994, Little Axe (both a tribute to Bob Marley's song "Small Axe," and to Wilbur "Little Ax" Broadnax of the Spirit of Memphis gospel quartet).
"Ohio" is the fifth Little Axe album ... 15 tracks of futuristic blues – dubbed-out, dark, and smokey, including covers of songs by Skip James, Allen Toussaint, and Will Calhoun. Ride along, while the band traces an adventurous musical line, from African chants, Afro-American field songs, to blues, gospel, soul, funk and dub.
— video courtesy real world records
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IN THE NOW ...
"TRANCE/TELL ME THE HURT" (with guests Bernie Worrell, keys; Vernon Reid, guitar; ?, trumpet) at the 2007 NAMM Convention in Anaheim, California.
— video by dave.
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IN THE FUTURE ... "I'M AFRAID OF AMERICANS"
— illustration by dave.
TackHead in a Vienna, Austria studio, working on the a remake of the thought provocative David Bowie tune to be included on the band's first record in 15 years. After the session Bernard described his feelings in his typical efficient way. "I AM VERY HAPPY" he said, GETTING TO THE POINT.
— video by eve
For more information"ShareHead" project (and how you can get involved)
go to: TACKHEAD.COM
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