The Swamp Dawgs blues band:

Roots were laid during the final days of Zen Machine Gun. Following a flippant remark about forming a Blues Band to do "Bread & Butter" gigs to fund the Zen, a half arsed attempt to build a set list was started, going as far as compiling a CD of appropriate songs to learn. No further progression was made following this, and in due course the Zen Machine "Broke Down".

After the break up, in Autumn of 2006, Martin (who had been talking about doing a blues project since he first picket up a guitar) asked Phil (who had drummed in the blues band Acrid Hoof Smoke, as well as the Zen for a period), if he would be interested in putting together a blues band. Phil responded in the positive, and the original forgotten CD was dragged out and considered.

Very loose ideas were suggested and promptly forgotten again, as the year changed and 2006 became 2007. Then a chance meeting between Phil & Iain, who had previously played in a 'band' together many years before, sparked it all into life.

Initially six of the songs on that first CD were learned. Then, rapidly, another selection was made, and within 3 months two sets, totalling twenty songs were ready to gig. This came on August 12th 2007 at the Leopard in Burslem, Stoke-on-Trent (as featured on 'most haunted live'). Following a good audience reaction, the band moved to consolidate this response.

Gigs in October at the New Inn, Hanley, and soon after at the Rigger, Newcastle-under-Lyme (where Martin played two full sets with the dreaded MAN FLU) followed. An early November booking at the Glebe in Stoke came next, where the promoter was so impressed that before the band had finnished a repeat appearance was already booked at the venue for March 8th 2008.

The final gig of 2007 was a return Christmas booking at the New Inn, where three new songs were thrown into the set to please the punters who'd been so good at the first gig at the venue, these were, Sharp Dressed Man (learned specifically due to a New Inn request) Johnny B Goode, and Arrested For Driving While Blind (also by ZZ Top).

The story so far for 2008; The Web Site is now on line, (thanks Iain), new songs have been added to the sets, to make sure that no two gigs are the same and we've done more great gigs at The Glebe, the Ye Old Kings Arms, The Oaktree & the Newacstle Jazz & Blues Festival. As more gigs are booked they will be notified on the site, and we look forward to getting out and about and seeing all the Blues & Rock enthusiasts, wherever you maybe.

See y'all soon,

Rev Dawg!