About Me
The band was formed in 2001 by lead singer/guitarist Johnny Gunner, who wanted to create a dynamic rockin' band which drew on the influences such as late '50's American obscure Rock 'n' Roll, hard driving rhythm & blues, jazz and rockabilly, in fact all the music that the boys in the band have loved for many years.Their influences are from many of the great acts of the '50's, including:Big Joe Turner, Roy Brown, Bob Luman, Benny Joy, Ronnie Self, Little Richard, Howlin' Wolf, Little Walter, Sonny Boy Williamson, Link Wray and many other obscure artists from '40's/'50's America. Indeed a wide spectrum of what was around during the '50's. The band are pretty much a hard driving rockin' blues band. The Raider's main concept is to fuse together the authentic sounds of that era with all its many different elements, with the attitudes, aspirations, recording techniques and recording technology of the 21st Century. This can be heard in 'Reconsider' (Gunner) a fusion of a rumba and a shuffle rhythm, 1950's style led music to 21st century lyrics. The band like mostly to record live in the studio, just the way they used to back then, with few overdubs, trying to write songs that reflect day to day living but with the beat of a highly infectious rock 'n' roll band behind the lyrics to drive the songs along into a danceable groove.A combination of vintage and modern equipment is a factor in achieving this aim which they use on stage and in the recording studio. The lead vocal and lead guitar channels both go through a Watkins tape echo chamber to give it that slightly edgy driven authentic sound. The band have so far produced 3 CD's, the first being at Boz Boorer's studio in London where they cut 'The Grim Reaper' (Gunner), now a dance club classic, 'Long Tall Sally', 'Blue Moon', 'Lawdy Miss Clawdy' and 'Wild Wild Lover'.Their second recording was at Sweet Georgia Brown's, also in London, several months later. Where they again cut 'The Grim Reaper' (alternate version), 'Whenever You're Ready', 'Broken Heart' and 'Ram Raidin'.Their latest CD entitled 'Stack 'a' Records', was recorded at Farm Studios in Essex by Ray 'Blind Boy' Marquis in 2003. (A full track listing is given on our merchandise page, where the CD can be purchased.)The image of the band is also a very important factor. Wearing smart but wild vintage clothing, adds to the look but gives it that professional edge too. The boys believe looking good is just as important as being able to play. Showmanship is also a vital part of the bands identity. Where at a gig the boys go all out to put on an exciting show. Whether it's a wild drum solo from Mark Hewitt, or a wild guitar solo from Johnny Gunner, where he plays the guitar behind his head while kneeling on the stage to the frantic yells of the crowd, just like T- Bone Walker in '48. The Raiders have now played all over the country including Wales, North and South and played some of the top Rock 'n' Roll venues, including: The Tennessee Club London, The Ace Cafe London, Hemsby Rock 'n' Roll Weekender, Club Tiki South London Pacific and The Grand Hotel Llandudno. The band have also played some high profile corporate events and functions with which they have become very popular with that clientele.The Raiders are certainly a versatile band and can play anything from wild bop, honking rhythm & blues to jive and ballads. A tour of mainland Europe and USA is also being planned. The band have recently returned from an Elvis gig in France where the crowds went crazy wanting more songs from The Raiders.They certainly don't aim their sound to any particular audience, nor do they restrict themselves to only playing to dancers, although much of their material is at a good dance tempo and dance floors are often filled. They are not a rockabilly combo, nor strictly a blue band, jazz or swing act. There's a bit of each which refuses to stay on just one scene.
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MSTEAD.jpg[/IMG]Johnny Gunner & The Raiders recently entered Mickey Spectrum's Top 40 indie chart on www.filetopialive.com internet radio station where the album title track 'Stack 'a' Records' was put on the roster, whereupon it reached Number 2! In direct competition with all other blues and rock acts, mainly contemporary style bands, no mean feat for this Essex based trio.LATEST UPDATE: THE RAIDERS ARE DUE TO RECORD ON FOOTTAPPING RECORDS THEIR LONG AWAITED ALBUM OF MAINLY ORIGINAL SONGS TO THE RECORD BUYING PUBLIC, SO WATCH THIS SPACE!!ALSO THE BOYS ARE DUE TO PLAY THEATRE GIGS AS A BACKING BAND FOR THE 1959 WINTER DANCE PARTY WHICH FEATURED BUDDY HOLLY, RITCHIE VALENS, AND THE BIG BOPPER. THE LAST GIGS BEFORE THAT FATEFUL PLANE CRASH, AND THE NOW THE WINTER DANCE PART IS BEING RECREATED BY MARTYN GILLIE AND GLEN DARREN FOR THE 50TH ANIVERSARY OF THE DAY THE MUSIC DIED OF WHICH THE RAIDERS WILL PLAY A BIG PART IN THIS EXCITING SHOW CASE!BOOKINGS NOW BEING TAKEN FOR THIS EXCELLENT SHOW!!!!CALL MARTYN ON: 07751284384
