BAND OF FRIENDS

GERRY MCAVOY ~ TED MCKENNA ~ MARCEL SCHERPENZEEL

"Winners of the European Blues Awards 2013"

A celebration of the music of Rory Gallagher

Not just the notes – but the sound, energy and feel of Rory Gallagher, delivered by people who helped define it ...

In the era of tribute acts who deliver note-perfect renditions of their heroes' catalogues, the Band Of Friends is something different. They can do the notes played by electric blues icon Rory Gallagher. But they can also do the sound, energy and feel – because the band includes people who helped define those essential elements.

When the Irish guitarist-vocalist passed away in 1995 he left behind an eleven-album catalogue of inspired albums, and the memory of unforgettably energetic concerts.

Bassist Gerry McAvoy [Nine Below Zero, Champion Jack Dupree, Deep Joy] appeared on every one of those albums. Drummer Ted McKenna [Sensational Alex Harvey Band, Greg Lake, Gary Moore, Ian Gillan, Michael Shenker Group] powered those live shows from 1977 until 1981 and appeared on Rory's acclaimed Photo-Finish, Top Priority and Stage Struck albums.

They old friends have teamed up with Dutch guitarist and vocalist Marcel Scherpenzeel [Wolfpin], who grew up with his bandmates' music. If they say he's the nearest thing you'll get to Rory – and that's exactly what they do say – you'd better believe them.

Ted recalls: "In 2010 Gerry told me he'd played with Marcel at a tribute show and thought he was the closest thing to Rory you'd ever hear. We got together for a play in Marcel's dad's blues club in Amsterdam. The impact was instant."

Gerry says: "Rory will always be close to my heart, of course. Playing tribute shows was one thing – when I heard Marcel I knew he had it all. Close your eyes and it's there."

Marcel adds: "You have to approach something like this with respect and honour. I already respected Gerry and Ted, and it's an honour to play Rory's music with them."

To be clear: if it wasn't completely convincing they wouldn't be doing it – there's no "cashing in" going on. And the reviews from shows across Europe confirms they're delivering what they hoped they would: an authentic Rory experience.

A delicious blend of funk, rock and blues, we are based in Ipswich and consist of Dan Gallagher (vocals), Louis Davey (Guitar), Steph Taylor (Bass) and Kieran Bliss (Drums)

Sigmatropic was formed in Athens, Greece by Akis Boyatzis in 1997; the band is well-known around the world with their albums released on Hitch Hyke, Tongue Master and Thirsty Ear in the UK, continental Europe, North America and Oceania. 

CURRENT LINE-UP: Akis Boyatzis: main vocals, bass, acoustic guitars, digital programming; Antonis Livieratos (piano, keyboards, Theremin, cello, ukulele, mandolin); Fivos Zitis: electric and classical guitar; Tasos Katsaris (saxophone); Yiannis Tryferoulis: drums

LIVE DATES: Sigmatropic have performed scores of live shows with festival appearances, opening for internationally known headliners including Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds, Moby, Sonic Youth, Prodigy and Patti Smith.

DISCOGRAPHY: Sigmatropic has released four LP's, one EP and one cd-single (Hitch Hyke). In their internationally acclaimed "Sixteen haiku and Other Stories" and "Dark Outside"  a galaxy of renowned guests has been hosted such as Robert Wyatt, Pinkie Maclure, Cat Power, Carla Torgerson, James Sclavunos, Edith Frost, Howe Gelb, Lee Ranaldo, Laetitia Sadier and more. 

WHAT THEY LIKE: colors in music, gazing the stars in space and feeling longing for certain episodes during the last four decades that marked their own musical lives.

We are Sky Paradox and we play Alternative Rock music !

Band Members :
Iliana Mpoutsi - Vocals
Christoforos Konakas - Guitar (Lead)
Nick Stergiopoulos - Guitar (Rythm)
George Chondrompilas - Bass
Konstantinos Lavos - Drums

John Matzakos is following