C.J. was involved with several local bands including Medusa, before achieving his first notable success in the late 1980s as the guitarist for London-based hair rockers Tattooed Love Boys. The band released their debut album Bleeding Hearts and Needle Marks in 1988 before splitting up shortly afterwards.
In 1989 C.J. formed The Wildhearts with ex-The Quireboys guitarist Ginger. Despite being plagued by widely reported drug and alcohol problems, the band enjoyed considerable mainstream success during the early 1990s, including two UK top 20 hits. In 1994, at their commercial peak, C.J. was unexpectedly kicked out during the recording of the P.H.U.Q. album due to personal differences between himself and Ginger.
C.J. joined former Grip frontman Willie Dowling to form Honeycrack in 1995; that band signed to Epic Records. They released one album Prozaic in 1996 which charted at number 34 in the UK. Honeycrack toured with the likes of Alanis Morissette, Weezer, and Skunk Anansie throughout 1995 and 1996 and appeared at the Phoenix Festival and T in The Park. The band broke away from Epic in late 1996 and eventually disbanded. In 1998 C.J. formed The Jellys with ex-Wildhearts drummer Stidi and former Wolfsbane bassist Jeff Hately. They released two studio albums and one live album between 1998 and 2001.
C.J. released his first solo album Thirteen in 2007 under the moniker CJ & The Satellites. The album was supported with live dates in the UK and China but the project was put on hiatus due to the reformation of The Wildhearts in 2009. The album was reissued on CD and vinyl in 2014. Also in 2014, during a Wildhearts hiatus, C.J. released the album Mable, which was funded through the Pledgemusic platform. Mable reached number 23 in the UK album chart; it also reached number 2 in the Official UK Rock Chart and number 2 in the Independent Album Breakers Chart, C.J.'s highest chart positions as a solo artist. Reviews were positive across the board. Uber Rock commented "Not many albums will touch Mable this year". The album scored highly in end of year poll lists including number 2 the Pure Rawk album of the year list, number 6 in the Uber Rock album of the year list, and number 1 in the Rock 'n' Roll Geek Show album of the year list. On 6 March 2015 Mable received the Album of the Year award at the Pure Rawk Awards held in London.
C.J. released two more albums funded by pledge campaigns: Robot in 2015[ and Blood in 2017. He has also launched his own brand of hot sauce called "Devilspit".
The Blues Magazine Radio Show
'One of the most exciting bands to have emerged in recent times'
Blues Matters Magazine
'Great raw rockin' blues with super slide. A powerhouse of a band.'
Blues in Britain
'King of slide guitar'
Pete Feenstra
There is something about the Welsh marches. As guitarist Troy Redfern tells it, he grew up in the shadow of Hergest Ridge, made famous by Mike Oldfield. The Welsh borders; roughly that area between Hay on Way, Brecon and Hereford: It might not quite evoke the arresting geography and climate of say Louisiana, but there’s something about the freedom of a landscape that refuses an official
definition of the extent of its domain.
It all fits perfectly into Troy Redfern’s world. He is a passionate, intense, free spirited indie blues artist whose ferocious slide guitar style twists and turns timeless themes and ideas to his own ends.
The protean slide guitarist leads his power trio with style, gusto and virtuoso playing that fuses spontaneity with real craft. Redfern combines the rawness of Hound Dog Taylor, the freeform approach of Sonny Sharrock, the firebrand playing of Johnny Winter and the technique of Dave Hole with the ghost of Elmore James. Troy: “I’ve got a wide range of influences from Zappa and Mike Keneally to Sean Costello, but it all originally came from a friend of mine Nigel Peters who lent me a Son House collection. That led me to discover Hound Dog Taylor, Mississippi Fred McDowell, the rough attack and hard edge approach of Bukka White’s resonator, and Mississippi Hill Country Blues, with people like RL Burnside and Junior Kimbrough etc.”
Troy is a guitarist for whom tone, feel and grooves are his working tools, while his songs range from a whisper to a scream, including those outlandish moments when his vocals go to the edge of the world and he momentarily transforms himself into Screaming Jay Hawkins meets captain Beefheart. Troy: “I write a riff first, then improvise the lyrics and then I pick some phrases etc and turn them into the song. I usually leave a section for the solo which is usually a one take deal. I love the ad-hoc energy that comes from somewhere else.”
Drum duties were taken care of by Alex Bridge. Alex had worked in bands with Troy when they were growing up, but had long since moved away, and after periods variously spent working as a mountain leader in Snowdonia, courier driver in west London and touring drummer with indie bands, could now
be found in Oxfordshire studying his craft with the legendary UK drum tutor Bob Armstrong (Bob has taught many of the UK’s finest drummers). Alex: “I was back home visiting friends and family and spotted Troy was playing. We hadn’t seen each other in a long time so I went along to say hello. I was blown away by what I heard and we ended up getting together for an absolutely blistering jam, which ultimately led to us hitting the road together!” A fantastic swing drummer, Alex’s dedication to feel, expression and detail underpin the trio’s performance and delivery.
Stjohn Milinczuk came to the band via a chance meeting at Hereford Blues Club. Stjohn had been the bassist in the intriguingly named Herefordshire indie band the Dandelion Killers, but was now providing bass for highly acclaimed Irish slide guitarist Will
Killeen. Stjohn slotted in to the Troy Redfern Band perfectly, bringing a combination of solid bedrock and killer bass runs to both lock in with Alex’s drumming and compliment Troy’s soaring guitar. Troy: “I live for those special times when your slide takes you to another place that you couldn’t think of except in that moment. Then the band kicks in behind you to improvise on the solo and you think wow!”
Having been invited to play the prestigious Telegraph Hay Festival and winning over a large and critical audience, the band set out touring the UK and headed out to Europe, landing some fantastic shows supporting The Nimmo Brothers, Skinny Molly, Dr. Feelgood, Bad Company’s Mick Ralphs, Thin Lizzy’s Eric Belle, Cyril Neville’s Royal Southern Brotherhood and many more. The band’s sound and dynamic coalesced and tightened fast and the accolades started coming in from the likes of world class producers Jim Eliot (Ellie Goulding, Paul Oakenfold) and Charlie Francis (REM, Gravel Tones) as well as the UK blues press.
In 2015 Troy signed with the award winning Blues Boulevard label and cut his high octane debut album ‘Backdoor Hoodoo’, which brought him to the greater attention of Euro blues fans. Recording is currently under way for a 2016 follow up with new material receiving a great response live so far! Keep an eye out for further updates at www.troyredfern.com.
UK powerhouse rock trio Häxan hail from South Wales and South West England. The band have made a name for themselves in the rock scene with an array of shows and festivals worldwide, including the likes of Download, Bloodstock, Planet Rockstock, Monsters of Rock Cruise (Miami), and Rock the Boat (Australia). Known for a live show which promises to be loud and packed with raw energy, they have played alongside a number of artists such as Phil Campbell and the Bastard Sons, Status Quo, Foreigner, Electric Six and many more.
Citing influences such as Black Sabbath, Suzi Quatro, and The Darkness, Häxan is made up of Sam Bolderson (vocals/guitar), Harriet Wadeson (bass) and Jess Hartley (drums).
Released in July 2020, their debut album ‘White Noise’ features Classic Rock’s Track of the Week nomination ‘Skeletons’, among a collection of classic rock tracks with a modern edge, combining hard-hitting riffs and catchy choruses. Available to stream/buy NOW!
B L A C K | L A K E S create a sound which deliberately blurs the boundaries between hard rock and alternative metal, drawing on a wide range of influences from across both scenes.
Their debut album 'For All We've Left Behind' was recorded in the Welsh capital with premier hard rock and metal producer Romesh Dodangoda and released in Feb of 2022 to critical acclaim, including being named Album Of The Year by four different outlets including ERB Magazine & East London Radio. The various singles released from the album were played extensively across national radio including ERB, Kerrang! and the BBC.
The band have been playing in support of their debut since its release and have built up a passionate following across the UK and online, playing several notable festivals including Planet Rockstock, Wildfire and Loverocks.
BLACK | LAKES are currently concluding work on their sophomore album whilst continuing to play live across the UK. With a string of live dates booked throughout 2023/24, the band are keen to build on the momentum that's been created to date, and remain incredibly focussed on what comes next.
"Thunderous and Eloquent"
- ADAM WALTON - BBC RADIO
"Black Lakes could be playing to thousands very soon"
- WYATT WENDELS- PLANET ROCK
"Massive riffs and big anthemic choruses"
- JOHNNY DOOM - KERRANG! RADIO
"Intense, passionate, highly skilled and intelligent"
- CLAIRE HILL - EMERGING ROCK BANDS MAGAZINE
"BLACK | LAKES unleash a masterful universe of sound"
- GUY BELLAMY - GREAT MUSIC STORIES
AS HEARD ON
BBC RADIO 1, KERRANG! AND PLANET ROCK
FORMED 2020 | DERBY, UK
Liberty Slaves hail from Huddersfield in West Yorkshire and were formed by Bass Player Craig Hopkins. They happily play all over the UK and have been well received at Trash in Bradford who are always happy to re-book them. Other venues include Rock City in Nottingham. Corporation in Sheffield and various Festivals including Fire & Forge way down in Somerset and they are due to play Ravenfest later this year
They have supported various well known artists such as Zodiac Mindwarp, Michael Monroe, L A Guns and the Quireboys.
The band consists of Craig on Bass Guitar, Mark Ogley on Rhythm Guitar, Ryan Meehan on lead vocals, Krissy West on drums and Paul Brooke on lead guitar.
Liberty Slaves bring original Hard Dirty Rock ‘n’ Roll and carnage to the stage and always entertain every crowd they come across.
“It’s about having a good time, not staring at your shoes and telling the world how miserable you are. It’s an hour of escapism at one of our shows, we rock hard!! - Craig
