Being a long time admirer of those shark fin monsters (the CAR, not the BAND!) I could not help d(r)iving into the (neat) website of a band with a name like this!!! And when I heard their 2001 CD "Lou Ann" I was won over. A swinging, jumping or smoothly cruising record!

Gary Potts: harp, vocals Paul Morgan: guitar Mike Thomas: vocals, slide guitar Gary Howard: piano, keyboards, squeezebox! Bernie Brewster: bass Sugar Ray Marquis: drums

I take the liberty of quoting snippets from their website:

Formed in late '98 under the original name of Third Degree, the band plays a tasty mix of West Coast Jump, T-Bone Swing, Chicago Blues and Texas Shuffles, combining the warm fat tones of classic amplified harp and guitar, boogie piano, pumpin' bass, shuffle drumming and tough bluesy vocals. This is 100% guaranteed rockin' R&B, custom-made for dancing.

Feat. a.o. Mike Thomas on vocals and slide guitar:

Mike's career dates back to solo folk and blues gigs in the '70's around his native North West, followed by stints in various London R&B bands. A change of direction in the early '80's led to Mike co-founding The Poorboys, one of the first (and best) British outfits to revel in the musical styles of Louisiana, from Cajun and Zydeco to New Orleans Gumbo.

For the next 12 years he toured all over Britain and Europe, appearing in numerous live sessions on radio and TV. In that time Mike shared a stage with some of the finest blues and roots artists anywhere including Los Lobos, The Fabulous Thunderbirds, Omar and the Howlers, Little Charlie and the Nightcats, Georgie Fame, (the original) Dr Feelgood and many more! The Poorboys secured a recording contract with Appaloosa which resulted in the release of 2 widely praised (and still available!) CD's.

Mike is an excellent frontman with a vocal range that encompasses down-home blues to jazzy swing. His slide playing oozes warmth and feeling.

Bernie and Ray make up what must be one of the longest serving rhythm section partnerships EVER! They first met when Bernie joined The Zeus Blues Band in 1969, which featured a 19 year old Ray on drums. Mike Vernon of Blue Horizon fame teamed them up with Mississippi John L Watson, and later with Blue Horizon band Key Largo. A stint with the legendary Victor Brox's Blues Train ended when Victor relocated back to his native Manchester.

Albums:
- "I'm Gone" CD. Of which the band say: "Over 65 minutes of rockin' blues and swing, no tricks, no overdubs, recorded live in the studio in front of friends and fans. Plus 3 studio tracks from CD 'Datebait.' (previously only available to promoters)"
- "Lou Ann" FLATHEAD RECORDS FRCDV8 (2001)

Links:
www.cadillackings.co.uk